Fr. German’s Message
June 24 is the celebration of St. John Baptist and, on that same date in
1990, I was ordained as a priest in Blois (France) together with another
priest, Pierre Chartier Marcel, currently the pastor in the Cathedral of Blois,
the diocese to which we both belong. That same day, the bishop ordained deacon
François Cordier, currently priest in Vendôme (France).
It´s been 22 years since the Church entrusted to me the mission of serving
my brothers and sisters in the priestly ministry. I started my mission as
associate pastor and, four years later, I was appointed pastor of four rural
parishes.
From the beginning of my ministry I have accompanied prisoners in jail and,
at the same time, I visited high schools to try to sensitize young people to
the beauty of the Gospel and the happiness of believing in Him who came to
teach us to love: Jesus.
Thanks to my training in canon law, from the beginning of my ministry I was
in the ecclesiastical courts, where I served as a judge. Currently, I work here
as a defender of the bond.
Among the ministries in which I served during my time in France was getting
together with adults who helped families of prisoners and, assisting an
association of prostitutes who used to make pilgrimages to Lourdes every year.
One of the missions that I also enjoyed was as leader of the diocesan
pilgrimages. For four years I accompanied several groups of pilgrims around the
world. We walked the footsteps of Jesus and several of the apostles. At least
once a year we used to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes with both healthy and sick
pilgrims. We met people of different cultures and shared with them what we are
and how they live.
In my commitment to young people I traveled several times to Taizé (France)
to meet young people and to live an experience of prayer. With the Taizé
community I participated in meetings with young people in several European
cities (Wroclaw, Budapest, Vienna, Munich…).
I have been on assignment to the United States since September 2004 and,
since July 2007, I have worked as administrator of St. Sebastian’s parish.
This long story is simply to thank God for all those men and women whom I
have met during my service and to thank those who are sharing with me this
stretch of the road.
Finally, I would like to ask for your prayers so that the Lord grants me
good health to continue my ministry, here or anywhere, always with joy and
faithfulness to the Gospel.
Have a happy week.
Fr. Germán June 24th 2012