Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Last Monday June 4th was the anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood and I often wonder where the years have gone. I remember the twelve of us who walked from the college that morning to the small country Church of St Mary where over the years our ordinations had taken place. Eleven of us were to be ordained that morning one was ordained later in his home parish. Since then one of my classmates has died and three went a different way. The rest of us are scattered, in Kenya, South Africa, the UK, the US and Ireland. When I set out on the journey I never would have believed that I would find myself in a parish in Illinois. My whole focus was on Africa but circumstances and appointments brought me to where I am today and by God’s grace I still have energy and faith to continue on the path taken many years ago. Would I do it again? My answer to that question is Yes! There are things I would have liked to do differently, but isn’t that true of all of us. Fr Karl would say to any young person considering priesthood or religious life to go for it. Be open to the working of God in your life. Never be afraid to take an appointment and always remember God works in the lives of all peoples. Do not be afraid to ask for help from God and from the people you serve. Remember always it is God’s work and the Spirit will always be with you in good times and bad. The Lord has begun the good work. He will bring it to completion. And the Journey continues Fr Karl