Boca Raton, Florida
6 December AD 2005
Saint Nicholas of Myra, Bishop & Confessor
Dear Parishioners and Friends:
It is always a difficult thing to do an adequate job of thanking people for their efforts, their generosity, and their kindness. There is the fear that in a list of people someone who did something very important will not be noticed or will be inadvertently left out-making it seem, sometimes, that no one should be named at all. Please understand, then, that if you are not among those identified by name in this letter, you are identified by the fact that you did something grand to make one of our Lord’s priests feel appreciated on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.
By name I must thank our bishop, The Most Reverend John J. Humphreys, who placed his hands upon my head twenty-five years ago today and made me “a priest forever according to the order of Melchesidech,” and who made the trip here from the west coast to visit our people, to offer holy Mass for us, and to lend his dignity to our festivities. With him came Mr. Vincent Frattaruolo and C. Michael Ritchey, long term friends. They came bearing gifts, not the least of which was a beautiful set of silver-white Marian vestments given by the Parishioners of Our Lady of Good Hope Church, which I wore for the first time on my anniversary day and hope to wear again on the feast of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception.
Thanks must go to Maximelien Mack and Patrick O’Brien, who took it upon themselves to work the not so minor miracle of hosting all of our people at dinner in their home-in grand style.
And to Michael Rollin, our indefatigable choir master and all those who sang the bishop’s Mass with him. And to David Summers, who served at the altar.
To my daughter Carol, who not only had some mysterious hand in the festivities, but who has also counseled, supported, and helped me in just about every aspect of my priesthood over these twenty-five years.
At this point I must beg the indulgence of my other good friends; those who organized the affairs of the day and coordinated its preparation, who organized and contributed to the lavish gifts which I received, those who would have been with us if they could have been but were prevented by distance or illness, and those who were able to lend their presence at the Mass and the reception. It was a wonderful feeling to see the church so crowded. Indeed, thanks must go to those who have supported our parish year in and year out with their attendance and their efforts-those who are still with us, those who have moved on, and those who have gone to their eternal reward.
Again, I thank everyone who had a hand in making my anniversary so memorable, and everyone who has contributed to the growth of our Lady of the Rosary. May God grant us many more years together in productive service to Him. You are all in my Masses and prayers.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Charles T. Brusca