I have to say that I was overwhelmed by the celebration of my 25th
Anniversary of Ordination last weekend. So many people came on board to make
the entire weekend a joyous occasion! Thanks to the Knights of Columbus and
their wives for hosting the weekend along with Laura Cordavado and several
ladies on the Coffee Sunday Team. Many thanks to Pat Hyland for arranging for
the cakes and the delivery of the food for the 12 noon Mass. Thanks to the
Knights of Columbus Honor Guard for coming to the 12 O’clock Mass. Your presence
really enhanced the celebration! To all the con-celebrating Priests, Fr. Noel
Whelan, Fr. Ernest Ezeogu, Fr. Rudy Volk, Fr. Charbel Bousamra and Fr. Ted
Smith, I thank you for celebrating this milestone with me. Several of my
friends were able to be present, six of whom were at my ordination and first
Mass and it was very special to me to have them here. Many thanks to the
members of my family who came from Brooklin, Whitby, Ajax and Churchill,
Manitoba to be with me. My younger brother from Brooklin, Mike Jones, spoke on
behalf of the family and, after listening to him, it was easy to see that we
both have the gift of the gab. Thanks
Mike! Thanks to my long-time friend,
Nicole Sicotte, for presenting me with a Papal Blessing from Pope Francis. I will
cherish that gift for the rest of my life! I was totally surprised when the
choir began singing their beautiful tribute, The Irish Blessing. It was very
touching and so beautifully done. Thank-you!
Many thanks to all of you who participated in the celebration both in
the church and downstairs. Thank-you for your congratulatory words, birthday
wishes and ‘welcome back’, in the receiving line. The number of cards and gifts
is, in itself, overwhelming and I thank you all for your generosity! Last, but
not least, I thank God for all of you, knowing that He will be with us in the
joyous times and in the challenging ones as we continue to build up the Kingdom
of God here in Mississauga!
Thank-you and God bless you all!!
Fr. Phil
