July 14, 2013

Father Lis celebrates 40 years of priestly ministry

 

REGIONAL

Story and photo by Sharon Roulier

AGAWAM — A special Mass of celebration was held Saturday July 13 marking the 40th anniversary of priestly life of Father John Lis. Father Lis celebrated the 10 a.m. liturgy at St. John the Evangelist Church where he is in residence. Several diocesan clergy members took part in the service, including two 1973 classmates of Father Lis who also recently marked their anniversaries: Father Peter Gregory, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Pittsfield; and Msgr. Ronald Yargeau, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Greenfield. Many friends, family members and former parishioners attended the celebration.

“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,” was the quote from Hebrews 7:17 on the cover of the program for the celebration, one that fittingly represented the sentiments of all three of the priests marking their 40th year of ministry.

Father Lis said he knew he wanted to be a priest since a Felician Sister at Sacred Heart School in Easthampton told him that he would become a priest someday. “And I did,” he said. “I had the example of both religious men and religious women in my life.”

He said the priesthood has blessed him with many wonderful years and opportunities, including a trip to Medjugorje, that he recalls fondly. 

“It was quite an experience,” he said. “I felt it confirmed my priesthood as well.” 

He said that being a priest involves sacrificing personal life to follow Jesus, but there is much to be gained by doing so. 

“Jesus said, you’re going to have brothers and sisters everywhere. And that’s true,” said Father Lis. “We have people who love us, and we have brothers and sisters everywhere.”

Father Gregory, who studied with Father Lis at the American College of Leuven in Belgium, delivered the homily. 

The role of the priest is one to “not be served but to serve,” said Father Gregory. 

Ordained at age 33, Father Gregory says he is what was considered a “delayed vocation.” Originally he had entered the Jesuit novitiate followed by four years of service in the US Airforce. 

“After the Airforce, through the wonderful example of chaplains and priests in my life, I knew the call was for a diocesan priest,” he said, noting his appreciation for the gift of sacramental life.

“My love is people,” he said. “And certainly I have been giften with a wonderful gift of sacramental life. A gift of healing, through sacraments of reconciliation, through the laying of hands and through the power of prayer and the trust of being in the person of Christ, which we all strive to be, unworthy as we are.”

Celebrating four decades in priestly ministry is “an overwhelming grace from God,” said Father Yargeau. “It’s truly and amazing grace, that God gives us, like the hymn says; the opportunity to kow that we are called by name to serve his people. And to do our very best, with its ups and its downs.” 

During the Mass, Father Lis was presented with a red stole and set of red rosary beads, by Father Tomasz Parzynski, pastor of St. John’s, symbolic of the blood that Christ shed for his followers. 

“It’s not always easy,” said Father Yargeau. “We have to carry the cross with our joys and our sorrows. And God has promised us in the Rite of Ordination to be with us,to guide us and to give us strength. I rely on that strength each day of my priestly ministry.”