This summer, sports lovers turned their eyes toward Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. 

“Here on Earth, I see nothing of the Son of the Highest God, except his most holy body and blood.” These words from St. Francis of Assisi explain his devotion to the Eucharist. 

I have spent all my nine years of priesthood ministering in gentrified neighborhoods. Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and now Park Slope have been the focus of my parish ministry since my ordination in 2015. 

As the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage comes to a close, it’s hard to summarize everything we have experienced. For over 60 days, we traveled along the Seton route, making our journey from New Haven, Connecticut, to Indianapolis, for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.

It is sad to note that in the developed world there is the temptation by society, the Church, and religious groups to judge their vitality by the number of members in their congregation or by the average age of the members.

On June 29, we celebrate the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, which honors the twin founders of the See of Rome for their courage in proclaiming the faith, even unto martyrdom. St. Augustine once said, “Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.”

It only took 53 years to happen, but it was certainly worth the wait. Father Randy Nguyen, ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn on Saturday, June 1, celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 2, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Astoria.

Let’s talk about our incredible history, our relevance today, and the hope it brings for our future. Let’s talk about how Catholic education in Queens and Brooklyn is creating a “Foundation for Life” for the leaders of tomorrow.

In these weeks when spring gives way to summer, many celebrate the ordinations of new priests — new shepherds who, in these difficult days, commit the rest of their lives to the sacred service of God and the people of God.

I believe in sharing. It’s customary for me to give an update of events I have attended and my experiences attending said events with my friends, my family, my children, fellow parishioners, and anyone who would listen.