Writing New Chapters with God

The phrase “time flies” is a bit of a cliche, but as I come up on 10 years this July having been the parish priest here at Saint Joe’s, on the one hand it’s amazing at how quickly the last decade has gone by, but also been so wonderful to be a part of the journey of so many people.

Among those people is Fr. Steve Boatwright, who was just ordained this weekend.

Fr. Steve of course you probably knew as Deacon Steve for many years. He would frequently assist at Saturday evening Masses, and during the week he would help out with baptism classes, celebrate baptisms on Sunday mornings, and had a special place in his heart for visiting with the sick and the homebound.

After he lost his wife Marcia a few years ago, he felt perhaps God might be calling him to consider priesthood. With that in mind, through prayer and discernment he approached the archdiocese and he was able to become part of a special formation program (as he’d already had much of the formation through his preparation for becoming a deacon). Now, two years alter, after more discernment and prayer and preparation, he was ordained by Archbishop Bernard Hebda Saturday morning.

What a joy it has been to know Fr. Steve. While he tries to get me with some of his jokes made at my expense from time to time, he of course has been a great witness to me of the faith; he has a deep love for God, and he manifests this in how he serves the people as Christ commanded us, to love one another as I have loved you. Through his ministry, he brings people closer to God.

Fr. Steve will be helping out here from time to time during the week, offering a daily Mass and also assisting with a baptism class, as he’ll continue living in nearby Apple Valley. This Sunday at 10:30 is his Mass of thanksgiving, with a reception to follow.

In addition to journeying with Fr. Steve over these past 10 years, I’ve seen this year’s graduating 8th grade class go from me greeting them on their first day of kindergarten to now having Mass with them as they graduate. Our 8th graders graduated this past Wednesday evening, and now they begin their journey through high school. Graduation often falls near the feast of Pentecost, where we reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to all, with some unique gifts for all the baptized. Over their journey here, these young men and women have grown so much in finding the gifts God has given them, and also grown in the faith as they continue their journey as servant-leaders. It has also been an honor to work with Mrs. Kelly Roche, our principal, and Mr. Terry Hale, our 8th grade teacher who has been for over 35 years. Both of them and all of our teachers are so dedicated in all they do for the students – our school is a place where the Holy Spirit is so alive and active, and you walk the halls and visit with the students you are reminded every day of the power of God shining through the faithful.

For Fr. Steve and the Saint Joseph’s Class of 2025, and indeed all of us, there are more chapters to be written. We reflect on the Ascension of the Lord this weekend, and the apostles are told to not stare at the sky, but to get to work making disciples of all the nations. God gives us the tools, it’s up to us to listen to God and then discover them and truly go and make a difference – something Fr. Steve has done for so many over his life as a husband, father, deacon and now priest – and something our 9th graders will do too as they learned in their time at Saint Joes so much about academics, but even more importantly about God and themselves. Please join me in congratulating them all, and keep them in their prayer on their journey, and like them, may cooperate with God using the tools He gives us to build Jesus’ Church in our world.

God bless and have a wonderful week,

Fr. Paul

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June 2025