This past Monday (June 2), I celebrated my 18th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.  It was a day that passed without fanfare.  It was an ordinary day, like the days that preceded it, and (I hope) the days that will follow after it.  And, for that, I am thankful to God!

You may be wondering why I am thankful that my ordination day came & went just like any other day (for the most part).  Well, my ordinary day consists of celebrating the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a holy hour of adoration, praying the Liturgy of the Hours & the Rosary, sitting in the confessional waiting for penitents, and anointing the sick–all of which I did on June 2, 2025.  And, so, I thank God for an ordinary day.

June 2, 2025, was an ordinary day—until 6pm.

Before I continue, let me tell you of a young man, Michael Caughey, from my previous parish (St.Mary of the Immaculate Conception) in Muskegon. I knew Michael from Muskegon Catholic Central when he was in high school as well as from his assistance at the Sunday evening holy Mass. Long story short: Michael came to me one day and asked me to write a recommendation for him to enter the seminary for the Fraternity of St. Peter, which I happily did!

Fast-forward to last Wednesday, May 30, 2025: Michael Caughey became FATHER Michael Caughey!–ordained to the priesthood at the FSSP seminary in Nebraska!

June 2, 2025, was an ordinary day–until 6pm. At 6pm, Fr. Michael celebrated his first holy Mass back home in Muskegon at St. Mary’s. He asked me to preach the homily, a great honor which I happily accepted.

My 18th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood was ordinary…& extraordinary.

Deo gratias!

Please pray for Fr. Michael. Please pray for me.

Below is the homily I preached. The Gospel was from St. John, chapter 15: “I am the vine, you are the branches…”