Father Matthew Laird

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20:19-23)

Today is Pentecost Sunday and the first Mass for Father Matthew Laird.  He was ordained yesterday at the Cathedral in Fall River.  He now stands in our midst and proclaims: “Peace be with you!”  He need not show us his hands and his side, at least not yet.  

As the years progress he will suffer wounds from his priestly work, and his hands will be full of tasks and deeds he will carry out in the service of Christ and the Church.  Then, in the not so distant future, he will be battered and bruised from the sacrifices he will make for his parishioners, but he will have the love of those neighbors offering gratitude for his presence and the comfort he will provide them.

Father Matthew also will be able to confidently say to those in need of reconciliation and burdened by guilt: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” 

Moreover, at each Mass at which he presides he will say: “Peace be with you.”  He might add: “The Father has sent me, so I send you to heal, forgive, seek forgiveness, love your neighbors, and to open locked doors to hearts grown cold from suffering and lack of love.”

We are all proud of Father Matthew and wish him well wherever he is assigned.  He leaves Christ the King with all our prayers for his well being.

Deacon David Pierce