I had the unbelievably great blessing of being able to attend the ordination to the priesthood today of my long-time friend Tony Bender.  And when I say “long-time,” I mean a LONG time.  Tony and I have been friends since 1981.

But it was a glorious day!  Tony was priested by Bishop Ames at St. Paul’s, a church we planted some years ago of which Tony went to serve.  Tony actually went there to serve as a favor to Father Chuck Conover, who took St. Paul’s as it first went out on its own.  Chuck had done a great job, and the church was doing well, but he fell ill with leukemia and that’s when Tony, his long-time friend as well, asked to go help him out.  Chuck never did recover, but mentored Tony as Tony helped him out.  And Chuck was blessed in his last days to have his friend at his side.

Tony however is like that.  He is not just a good man, but a great one.  Solid and steady, he is just the kind of guy you would want by your side.  We have been friends for 30 years, long before his hair was gray and we both become reluctant members of the AARP.  But I cannot express how grateful I am for his friendship……nor how proud I am for his fulfilling his call.

God Bless you my brother!  Welcome to the Order of Priests!

Goodnight to all of you my friends……and God Bless!

Tommy+