As I sit to write this reflection it has been three days since I was ordained a priest. The ordination event went perfectly: the Mass was powerful, the music was outstanding, the reception was flawless, the food was delicious. My first Mass on the following day had one hiccup in that the air conditioning broke down, but we made it through without any major incident and with no one passing out; in fact, I got a good joke out of it to start the Mass.
But now, I am in the period of waiting. I have not done a second Mass and I have yet to hear a Confession, though that all is coming up very soon. The smell of oil on my hands has faded. The gifts have been opened. The Thank You cards have begun to be written. It all feels so normal, like nothing has changed… or, at least, it did. But as I was grabbing my alb to run through the washing machine (again, no AC during my first Mass… it was needed!) I recognized that on the hanger there remained a tag that was placed by Fr. Michael Vannicola at St. John Neumann during my diaconate to let people know who it belonged to. And this tag said, very prominently, “Dcn. Craig.”
Of all the changes that have happened and all the newness that they bring, this tag was the one thing that caused me to really stop and think. While yes, I am still a deacon and always will be by ordination, that is no longer my title. I am now “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek,” as Psalm 110 says. I am now “Father Craig.” I have been mistakenly called this many times, to the point where I stopped correcting people… but now I don’t have to. It is real.
The word “father” now being a part of my name brings with it a great deal of power. But I am reminded of the words of Uncle Ben in the 2002 Spiderman movie: “With great power comes great responsibility.” My life is no longer my own; I now, more than ever, belong to God and to God’s people. My life is to be completely poured out in service; my hands have been consecrated to doing God’s work; and the vows I have taken as an Oblate have a whole new meaning.
So, hello. My name is Father Craig Irwin. I am an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales. I am now a parish priest at Gesu Parish and St. Pius X Parish in Toledo, Ohio. And I am happy to be of service to you and to your soul in any way that I can.
Fr. Craig Irwin, OSFS
Parochial Vicar
Gesu Parish, St. Pius X Parish - Toledo, OH
