Gratitude. That is my primary sentiment as I commemorate 25 years of priesthood this month. The Lord has blessed me mightily as a priest, far beyond anything I could have “asked or imagined.” (Eph. 3:20)
Thanks be to God. My gratitude is first directed to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He gave me life and planted this calling to the priesthood in my heart. For me, the calling unfolded over time as I came to receive His love more deeply.
The seeds of my vocation were planted in my loving Catholic family, my first and best seminary. We practiced the faith and my parents lived trusting in God, with deep faith in His Divine Will. God wasn’t remote and distant. He was alive and my parents were involved in many different ministries and prayer groups. My heart is full of gratitude to my parents, my brothers and sister and their extended families for loving me and being such a source of joy.
From that loving environment, I gradually began to live and accept the faith as my own. Not that our Catholic faith is something we possess, but a time does come when we have to adopt this faith ourselves, not just because we are surrounded by others who believe. I realized that if all this was true – and it is – then it is the most important truth by which one can live. The assent to the truth wasn’t just theoretical, but infused with a deeper sense that God loves me, that Jesus cares for me and that the Holy Spirit is active in my life. I thank God for moving in my heart and revealing His love to me.
Community is key. God loves us, but not in isolation. My gratitude extends to all those communities in which I have been a part over the years. As a teenager and young adult, I was so blessed to be in peer groups surrounded by other people my age who were seeking to love Jesus and live the faith. To this very day, many of these relationships are still in place as I serve as chaplain to a married couple’s ministry comprised of many of those same folks from years ago. I have been blessed to preside at weddings and baptisms for their children and their children’s children.
Upon entering the seminary, the importance of community continued and the brotherhood I share with my fellow priests from these seminary days continues vibrantly these many years later with monthly class dinners and annual class reunions.
The priesthood is a gift. Along with ordination comes the great gift of being a servant. In my twenty-five years serving as a priest, I have met incredible faithful men and women. Each has shown me the love of Jesus in their own unique way.
The people of God have shaped the priest and bishop I am today. I am so very grateful for all of those to whom and with whom I have served our Lord. I can’t possibly call to mind and acknowledge all the names of those who should be thanked. I can say that every parish and ministry in which I served has made an indelible impact on me.
My gratitude now extends to all of the priests, deacons, religious and faithful in the Diocese of Gary. While I am now a bishop, I am still a priest, even more so. I was named your bishop just before Thanksgiving 2019. Thanksgiving is an apt sentiment for today, too. “I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you.” (Phil 1:3)
You have extended to me your love and encouragement. I love serving as your bishop. You have shared your gifts with me and I am a far happier priest than I ever could have imagined, thanks to you.
Home is a place where one should be able to freely give and receive the love of God.Northwest Indiana is my home – and it feels like home, too. Many thanks to you, my brothers and sisters. And thanks be to God.
Your servant,
Most Reverend Robert J. McClory
Bishop
Diocese of Gary
NOTE: To commemorate the 25th anniversary of my priestly ordination, the diocese has planned a celebration with a Mass at Holy Angels Cathedral at 2 p.m., Friday, May 10 with a reception following. The event is open to all the faithful. If you’d like to come, for planning purposes, it’s helpful to share an RSVP.
Tinyurl.com/25thAnniversaryMass
Alternatives: (219) 769-9292 or communications@dcgary.org.