Surprise Gift for Fr. Moneypenny

A couple of las chicas - Carmen Magallon and Elsie Singh - who are pro-life warrior queens with me in St. Joseph's Protect Life Ministry, came to me and said, "Hey, we bought sumthin' for el Padre that we want to present as a gift from our ministry - help us set him up!" So I did, by making a special announcement at the end of the 9:00 Mass to thank those parishioners who came out for 40 Days for Life . . . but then telling him that a couple of the folks had a small gift, jes' a little something, to give him as thanks for being a pro-life priest.

This is what happened:

When Father learned he was going to get a present from Carmen, he was naturally worried - around the parish, he can be a target for practical jokes.

So far, so good - no snakes are popping out of the box.

No joke - instead a beautiful Marian chasuble! As our patroness in the pro-life movement, it was fitting to have her associated with the gift.

Father was delighted and really moved by it.

Let's hope he remembers: the tag goes in the back.
(Has he absentmindedly worn a chasuble backwards? Yes.)


A number of parishioners came up after Mass to admire it.

Elsie, Father, and Carmen. Elsie told Father that this was something that she and Carmen "had held for a long time in their hearts," wanting to give him this, because of his devotion to the parish and his courage in being an openly pro-life priest.

Here is a close-up. Because the predominant color is white, not only can this be worn on Mother's Day this year, during the Easter season, but is suitable for Baptisms and weddings, especially if the folks have a strong Marian devotion.

Look at the detailing - embroidery and the faces, hands, and feet (of the Christ Child) are handpainted!

You know why this was done? Because Fr. John Moneypenny supports our ministry. Because Fr. John Moneypenny supports all ministries at St. Joseph Church. Because he cares about our parish and it was not an easy job when he was handed the reins in 2005. Because he is a good priest and they deserve recognition like this. Vocations have decreased so when you have someone who is not only true to his vocation, but loves it like this man does, give them your support.