Thanks to my spiritual fathers

Thou Art a Priest Forever

by Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, OP (1802-1861)

“To live in the midst of the world with no desire for its pleasures; to be a member of every family, yet belonging to none; to share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets, to heal all wounds; to daily go from men to God to offer Him their homage and petitions; to return from God to men to bring them His pardon and hope; to have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity; to bless and to be blest forever. O God, what a life, and it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ! Amen.”

The following spiritual leaders readily and heartily agreed to pray for this 900-mile pilgrimage walk and fundraising effort to benefit Bishop Gorman Catholic School in Tyler, Texas. They are listed alphabetically with their name and title as they specified.

• Fr. Justin Braun, Pastor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Texarkana, Texas

• Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

• Fr. Steven Chabarria, Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and member of the Chaplain Team of Bishop Gorman Catholic School, Tyler, Texas

• Very Rev. John Gomez, JCL, Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Tyler

• Bishop Emeritus Curtis Guillory, Diocese of Beaumont

• Fr. Michael Jamail, priest retired, Diocese of Beaumont

• Msgr. Milam J. Joseph, Diocese of Dallas

• Very Rev. Hank Lanik, Rector and Pastor, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and President of Bishop Gorman Catholic School, Tyler, Texas

• Fr. Joseph Lombardo, priest retired, Diocese of Tucson

• Fr. James Rowland, Pastor, St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Flint, Texas

• Fr. Andrew Smith, Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Tyler, Texas

• Bishop Emeritus Joseph Strickland, Diocese of Tyler

• Bishop David Toups, Diocese of Beaumont

• Fr. Justin Wylie, Manager Pastoral Care, Christus M. Frances Hospitals Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro, Texas

In Memory of Msgr. William Manger, Pastor, St. Anne Catholic Church, Beaumont, Texas, who cheerfully confirmed Rob, blessed our marriage, baptized our children, and encouraged me to sing with my heart and not my technical brain.