Fr. Craig Irwin, OSFS, on God Constantly at Work in the Church

"Sitting back and thinking today, I realized it has been nearly 10 months since my ordination to the priesthood. Many of my 'firsts' were out of the way within a few days: first Mass, first Confession, first Anointing. Slowly but surely my first funeral and first Christmas came and went, which included my first times using incense at Mass (always an unnecessarily scary thing in the beginning). Now I am approaching my first Easter and, included in that, the conclusion, or more like a culmination, of my first RCIA cohort. The Saturday after Easter will be my first time presiding at a wedding. And then, after that, most of my major 'firsts' will be done. 

"These past ten months have been a whirlwind, as would be expected. And yet, through it all, I still have a smile on my face. While my own ministry firsts may be ending, I still get to be present and be a minister of God's grace to many other people's firsts. While they may become routine and memorized rituals in some ways, the Sacraments that Jesus gave us and that our Catholic tradition holds so dear still contain power, still give grace, still have effect. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Father Craig Irwin, OSFS, reflected on how God and His goodness are constantly at work in the Church..

To access Fr. Kolodziej's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Salesian Reflection: Ever Ancient, Ever New (6 APR 23)