We went to a party yesterday — Emily was excited that we were going, but when she found out it wasn’t a “Frozen” party, she lost her enthusiasm. Anyhow, the party was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our pastor, Fr. Mat Rowgh, being ordained as a priest.
Religion is a personal thing and how, when and where you choose to worship is a personal choice. I’ve talked to people that don’t go to a particular church because they don’t like the building or there isn’t enough parking or the services aren’t held at a convenient time — or some other reason. A church, like other organizations — only more so, isn’t the brick or siding, paved or unpaved parking, or location — it’s the people — and — it’s leaders.
When we moved to West Virginia, we looked around to decide where we thought we wanted to go to church. From our house, we had several obvious choices but when we visited St. Agnes the choice was obvious — and easy.
I read somewhere that the first 12 minutes in a church dramatically influences whether you’re coming back or not. It didn’t take anywhere close to 12 minutes for us — Fr. Mat made the decision easy.
It occurred to me that as everyone in that crowded room yesterday was (rightfully) congratulating Fr. Mat, we probably all should have been offering him an apology, or at the very least feeling a little guilty. I’m afraid most of us only think of Fr. Mat as the true Shepherd that he is. We forget that he has his own problems — probably because he is so good at putting his own situations aside and making us feel as though we matter more to him than anything else. When we call when he’s busy (he always is) he never tells us to call back. When we suffer the loss of a loved one, when we have trouble in our lives or homes, when we are sick…. he’s always there.
So I think I speak for the entire St. Agnes community when I say, Congratulations, Fr. Mat but, more importantly, Thank You! And thank God for His gift that we have in you.
Happy Anniversary!!
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