Thanks, Mashpee!

While I’m biding my time at Logan Airport, waiting to head back to New York, I wanted to offer a big thank you to the wonderful folks at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee, MA, on scenic Cape Cod, for making this boy from Brooklyn feel like a kid from the cape. I preached all the Masses over the weekend, then preached a mission twice a day, Monday through Wednesday, and they made my visit a joy. It was a real blessing.

Father Ed Healey and volunteer Patricia Bakaur (who recruited me for the mission) and their incredible staff treated me and my wife like royalty—even providing a cake so we could all sing “Happy Birthday”!—and I never lacked for an abundance of pumpkin treats.

[img attachment=”238860″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

Make no mistake: this is an amazing parish, with lovely liturgies in a lovely church,  some terrific singing from the choir and a laity that is both engaged and engaging. And they do it all with two full time priests and five deacons.

[img attachment=”238843″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

[img attachment=”238844″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

Whatever they’re doing, they should bottle it and sell it to every diocese in the country. They clearly love the parish, the pastor, and all they are called to do. And they do a lot.

[img attachment=”238845″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

I saw firsthand how they live out their call as Christians when I observed the phenomenal food pantry they operate, with dozens of volunteers and tons of merchandise. The parish hall is transformed into a veritable supermarket for one day every week. Check out the parish website for all the ministries they offer—and you can also watch livestream broadcasts of their liturgies.

Tuesday night, as part of the mission, we offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation after my talk. To help out, Judy Warren, the parish’s ace multimedia director, recruited Father Austin Fleming, the famous Concord Pastor. After a decade or so of being friends in cyberspace, I finally got to meet this wonderful priest. I gifted him with a mug that says “Best. Blogger. Ever.” If anyone deserves it, he does. (And have you read his book? Get it!)

[img attachment=”238852″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

On Wednesday, my wife and I took time for a side trip to Plimoth Plantation, about 40 minutes away, where we wandered around costumed characters from the 17th century as they talked about their lives and patiently answered questions from gawking tourists in tee shirts.

[img attachment=”238846″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

[img attachment=”238848″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

[img attachment=”238850″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

One of the men was the “assistant preacher” in the village, who explained that they hold services in the “town fort” up the hill. I decided not to engage him in a theological debate on the merits of Puritanism. We do that enough on Facebook.

[img attachment=”238847″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]

It was a blissful and blessed five days, and over much too soon.

If you ever find yourself up in that neck of the woods, make it a point to stop by Christ the King and say hello to Father Healey and his remarkable team. You can thank me later.

Meantime, let me just thank YOU, Ed, for a memorable visit. I hope to come back soon.

[img attachment=”238853″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” /]