It's good to hear from you. I thank you for the "slightly belated" Christmas
wishes and greetings. As they always say, "It's better late than never." I
hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family. I was so ready for
Christmas this year! Last Christmas, which was, of course, my first as a
priest, I was greatly overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the season.
But I learned my lesson. No, Santa didn't find me this year, but my pastor
did and he gave me plenty of work: five Masses in two days last weekend!
Christ the King Parish in Richland is the largest church in the Diocese of
Yakima; therefore, to have 6-10 Masses is expected and needed. The church
was very full. The parking lot was a mess! At Mass I couldn't help but say,
"Now, you know how Mary and Joseph felt when there was no room for them in
the inn!"

Anyway, priestly life and ministry is doing great! I haven't encountered any
difficult moments with parishioners, so I'm doing pretty darn good.
Actually, I once got an anonymously signed letter asking me to refrain from
using the word "dude" in my homilies! The high school student get a kick
when I say, "Dude, no way!"

I wish you a happy New Year! May God bless you abundantly! I thank you for
thinking of me. Please keep me in your prayers. I do the same for you!

Fr. Wilmar