Thank you, St. Petersburg!

I just got back from a wonderful visit to Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, where I gave a parish mission for Lent.

The pastor, Fr. Wayne Genereux, and his friendly staff treated me like royalty, and the two deacons, Bill Lovelace and Lionel Roberts, could not have been more welcoming.

From the “It’s a small world” department”: Deacon Lionel, shown above, was in the very first class of deacons ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1977—and, incredibly, he was ordained in the same class as my pastor’s father, Deacon Larry Sanchez. What are the odds? Lionel is 89-years-young. It was a privilege to meet him and serve with him.

Thank you for your friendless and warmth, St. Petersburg—and I do mean warmth. I didn’t miss the big chill of New York one bit. I hope to make it back for another visit soon!