Back in the Fold?
How Pope Leo XIV prompted my return to Mass
To hear the related 5-minute audio file that I uploaded today as my Morning Journal flash briefing for Alexa devices, please click on the play button:
“Welcome Back”
On my way to buy a Sunday New York Times yesterday in Old Orchard Beach, a silent voice suggested that I check out the Mass schedule at St. Margaret’s Church.
I was confirmed at St. Anthony’s Church in Casper, Wyoming, more than 40 years ago but have not been an active church-goer since then.
The election of Bob Prevost as the first American Pope electrified me and no doubt gave rise to the inner prompt that resulted in my attending the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Margaret’s.
The celebrant turned out to be a 30-ish Nigerian Dominican priest, Fr. Felix Udilosa. His homily was warm, humorous, inspiring, and energizing.
He told a joke about Alexa, which I loved, and a story about a boy’s hearing a priest describe Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
“Does that mean you’re the sheepdog, Father?” the boy asked.
The priest smiled and agreed.
On my way out, I introduced myself to Father Felix. I told him Pope Leo XIV was why I had returned to Mass.
He shook my hand warmly with a high-wattage smile.
“Welcome back,” he said.