At Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Pine Bluff (west of Madison, among the farm fields).
Father Rick Heilman, offertory at the high altar on the occasion of his 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, at St Mary Pine Bluff Parish, June 9, 2013. This was a Novus Ordo Mass with very beautiful chant by Aristotle Esguerra and the Knights of Divine Mercy Schola.
A better picture of the high altar, right after Mass.
After Mass, a huge party! That’s Monsignor Bartylla in the middle on his cellphone.
There were more people in the gymnasium of the school building.
Many lovely conversations were had. 🙂
Fr Rick talks with a mom.
There was a great Celtic band under the tent, but a highlight was a traditional Mexican dance troupe with a highly symbolic performance, here a wolf and a witch run toward a little boy in white who obviously stands for Jesus. The costumes were decorated with Christian imagery, above all Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Fr Rick and others watch the Our Lady of Guadalupe dancers and the Christ child.
Seminarian Grant Thies and kids play football toss!
Kids loved the Mexican dancers’ big drums, here a group of girls are making a great noise. 🙂
I took time to visit the Miracle of Life Rosary Garden, a very beautiful memorial garden for infants including those miscarried or aborted, adjacent to the ordinary cemetery at St Mary Pine Bluff.
Saint Michael the Archangel, in the Miracle of Life garden.
Our Lady and her fountain.
The babies’ marker stones. No one can avoid being deeply affected by this place.
[Update: over at the excellent Badger Catholic Blog, which you should read, Aristotle posted extensive Liturgical Notes about this Mass, and Steve Karlen posted his own pictures of the event.]
Congratulations, Fr. Rick, on the occasion of your 25th Anniversary of ordination to the Priesthood!
PermalinkLooks like a wonderful time! Father is such a Blessing for our diocese and that garden is so beautiful!
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