Three new priests!

This morning, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, His Excellency the Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki ordained Albert Allen, Zachary Edgar, and Scott Snider to the Sacred Order of Priests.

Father Edgar, Father Snider, Bishop Paprocki, and Father Allen
pose for a picture following this morning's ordination Mass.

Effective July 1, 2012, Father Allen will be Parochial Vicar of Annunciation Parish in Shumway, Sacred Heart Parish in Effingham, and of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Effingham; Father Edgar will be Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield; and Father Snider will be Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Parish in Highland, Immaculate Conception Parishin Pierron, and of St. Nicholas Parish in Pocahontas.

Just before the Mass began, I stepped into the sanctuary to place the program booklets on the chairs for the ordinandi when I realized that two of our seminarian-servers were having no small difficulty lighting the paschal candle (they apparently had been at it for several minutes with no success).

I took the candle-lighting-device (I'm sure it has a name) from them and successfully lit the paschal candle on my second attempt:

The above picture was taken by the Director of the Office for Catechesis from the choir loft (he was at the timpani drums).

After I lit the candle, the congregation caught me rather off guard when the erupted in applause at my success.

The secret to this success is really quite simple.  To light a high candle, extend the wick and bend it straight down so the flaming wick drops down into the follower right to the wick of the candle.  You may have to move the flame around a bit to find the wick, but it shouldn't take too much effort.  I suppose this is a lesson I'll have to teach the seminarians some time.  They don't teach you such practical things in the seminary.

This unexpected episode only contributed to the great joy of the day.

At any rate, congratulations, Fathers!