I was finally forced to sit down today and plan some details for my installation Mass on March 16. Frankly, I am not "into it." I find the ceremony rather contrived and more apt for the pompous of heart. This is my fourth time and in each case it has changed and evolved to this, may I say, rather aliturgical hodgpodge that now involves a bishop. The new pastor doesn't even get to preach at his installation Mass.

Anyway, my plan all along was to use the occasion as a "Vocation's Night." I have invited some wonderful seminarians to be part of the Liturgy. I asked them to serve the Mass and be present to our young people that night. I have invited the sixth, seventh and eighth graders and their parents along with our scouts and some high school students together with whatever parishioners feel so moved to attend. It is my purpose to introduce the Sems at the conclusion of the Mass and invite the young people that I hope will attend to meet them in the cafeteria afterward for some refreshment and interesting conversation.

These young guys have been a source of great edification to me as a priest and in some cases as their pastor. I presently work with two of them and I see their dedication to the apostolate and to the Church. They are all just so happy in their discernment as they look forward to the priesthood. I pray for them every day: "Dear God, keep them close to you, keep them ordinary and not above the people for whom they will be ordained, keep them in love with the basics of parish priesthood and not infected in anyway with careerism. Make them holy but never afraid of getting their hands dirty for Christ. Make them prayerful but not unreachable by those of us who have not reached the pinnacle of sanctity."

The installation is not a coronation, but asking God's blessing on the the new pastor that he be a priest after the heart of Christ.

Installation Mass

of

Msgr. Ed Deliman

Monday, March 16, 2009

7:00 P.M.

St. Martin of Tours Church

Oxford Circle.

Did you all know that our church has been called "The Cathedral of Oxford Circle"?

That's all for now...