| from June 13, 2004 'It is I Who Chose
You' It didn’t take long for newly ordained priests, Father Kirk Larkin and Father Rex Arnold to get to work. Immediately following their June 4 Mass of Ordination, the two were greeting and blessing throngs of family members, friends and well wishers at a reception in the Monsignor Connor Center, adjacent to The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help where the Mass was held. According to Father Edward Weisenburger, Vicar General and pastor of Our Lady’s, as many as 800 were on hand for the Eucharistic Celebration of Ordination to the Priesthood, celebrated by Archbishop Eusebius Beltran. Dozens of priests from throughout the Archdiocese concelebrated. Archbishop Beltran laying hands on Father Kirk Larkin And with 800 packed into the Cathedral it’s a safe bet there were as many hugs being exchanged at the reception. Lines formed in front of the new priests as each graciously greeted those who had witnessed and celebrated their ordination. Many received blessings from the new archdiocesan priests. Couples wrapped their arms around them and received blessings upon their union. A distinct family theme was evident during the Ordination and reception. In his homily, Archbishop Beltran said future priests might be seated in the pews at this very moment. One young mother, wanting a better view of the ordination for her young sons, planted the boys on the floor in the center aisle at the back of the Cathedral. The youngest boy, watched intently then imitated the laying of the hands as the archbishop and every priest placed their hands on the heads of the candidates. Both Father Larkin and Father Arnold had family members participate in the Mass. Father Larkin’s mother, Rosalie Larkin, and an aunt, Gladys Drummond presented the Offertory Gifts as did Father Arnold’s mother, Marian and his step-father David Sutton. In his homily, Archbishop Beltran pointed to John 15:9-17 as the reason these two men were now entering into the priesthood. “ Jesus clearly and pointedly sets the tone for this ordination tonight: “It was not you who chose Me. It is I Who chose you!” the Archbishop said. “The definition of Catholic priesthood cannot be fathomed unless we set it in the context of Jesus’ words just proclaimed in the Gospel,” Archbishop Beltran said. “He not only chooses His disciples but He also assures them of His love and His support as He sends them forth for ministry. And in that call, He also challenges them to love one another as He does and to keep His commandments. “Rex and Kirk, I am grateful to Jesus Who has called you to become His priests. I am grateful to you for having heard God’s call and having the courage to respond to His invitation. May your response always be generous and faithful as it is indeed today. “My dear brothers and sisters, do you realize how fortunate and blessed we are? Not only did God send His Son Jesus to save us but Jesus established the priesthood to continue His mission among us. The continuing presence of Jesus is manifest in many ways but most dramatically in the celebration of the sacraments. This is especially true in the Eucharistic celebration. In the Mass, which is the re-enactment of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, bread and wine are consecrated and changed into His Body and Blood. “These sacraments were instituted by Jesus and are effected by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Moreover, our Catholic faith and tradition have always understood the biblical teaching that, this power, this authority, this ministry, have been entrusted to the Church. From Jesus to Saint Peter and the other Apostles and their successors, the bishops and their collaborators, the priests, this power to act in the Name of Jesus and on His authority is transmitted through sacred ordination. Through the laying on of hands and the intention of the Church, men are ordained priests of Jesus Christ. Ordained priests live and act in the Person of Jesus, not by any human power, but by the will of God for Jesus said: “It was not you who chose Me. It is I Who chose you!” “More than one hundred years ago, the first bishop came to the Indian and Oklahoma territories as an Apostolic Administrator. His presence here meant the beginning of the formal organization and development of the local Church. One of his priorities was to bring sufficient priests to serve the people of this expansive area. Because of his enthusiasm and zeal, the Church flourished and grew. The Gospel was fearlessly proclaimed, the sacraments were celebrated and the Catholic people gave outstanding witness to our Catholic faith and tradition. “Kirk and Rex, tonight you join the ranks of the hundreds of faithful priests who have served here in Oklahoma since the time of Bishop Meerschaert. Like each of those brother priests, you are called. You are chosen. You are being ordained to act in the Person of Christ. The continuing presence of Christ will be accomplished by your faithful action because as ordained priests, when you hold the bread to be consecrated, you will say: “This is My Body.” As you take the cup of wine, you will say: “This is My Blood.” When you raise your hand over a penitent’s head, you will say: “I forgive your sins.” As priests of Jesus Christ, you will truly act in His Name and on His authority. “As is my custom at the ordination of new priests, I use the chalice which Bishop Meerschaert received in 1891 on the occasion of his ordination to the episcopacy. In his time, he acted in the Name of Jesus as you will begin to do tonight.” To read the full homily |
