28/05/2026
WEEKLY PERSPECTIVE | The Young Shall Grow
One week ago, on Pentecost Sunday, Fr. Nickolas Weiss returned in glory to his home parish, St. Michael the archangel, Grand Prairie, Texas, to say his first Mass as a newly ordained priest. He was ordained just the day before.
The slightly built amiable ‘kid’ is no longer just his parents’ son, he is now the unhidden pride of the parish, and of Mother Church. For those parishioners who knew Nick from many years ago, he is always the Mass server with undivided focus, always at his best, particularly with regards to the liturgy. For those who have known him for a few years , he is ‘our seminarian.’
The parish not only followed with prayerful anticipation; but also encouraged and supported his formation through the years. It all paid off well. Fr. Weiss is the first priest out of St. Michael the Archangel in its forty-two years.
For his first Mass, ten other priests concelebrated with Fr. Nick. A visibly delighted Parish Priest; Fr. Marco Rangel and the Associate priest, Fr. Joshua Mavelil both took their seats behind Fr. Nick. Eight other priests came from different parishes to celebrate with the new priest.
His proud parents sat in the first row pew, flanked by about a dozen family members. At the end of Mass, Fr, Nick presented his parents with gifts. To his father, he gave a purple color stole he wore when he heard his first confession. And to his mother, a white piece of cloth used in wiping off the oil of Chrism robbed on his palm during ordination. There is a long word for the piece of cloth; it is called the Maniturgium.
Fr. Nick informed the congregation that the two items will be buried with his parents when they die. Adding that when they get to heaven and God asks, “what did you do for me” they could answer “We gave you a Priest.” That part was moving. Enough to motivate many to encourage vocations in their own families.
The week before, in another part of the Catholic world, a young man reached a milestone in his ascent on the ecclesiastic ladder. Togolese born Gbodui Kekeli Sergino, SMA received diaconate ordination at the SMA House, Bodija in Ibadan Nigeria. To those of us not versed in the details of priestly formation, all we know is that the (Transitional) Diaconate is a few short months to priestly ordination.
For our brother Gbodui, it has been a journey over several miles and across a few countries. Rev. Gbodui did the preparatory year in Winneba, Ghana before studying Philosophy at Agodeke in Togo. Spiritual year was in Calavi in Benin Republic.
Pastoral year saw him back in Ghana; spent between Keniago and Kumasi. He finally landed in Bodija, Ibadan Nigeria for theology. It has been nine long years, spiritually abbreviated by the desire for a priestly life; a life in the service of God, under the direction of Christ the Good Shepherd and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
With Fr. Nickolas Weiss and with Rev. Gbodui Serrgino; with thousands of young men in our seminaries and thousands more in various Houses of formation; the future of the Church is in adequately prepared hands.
War is raging in Ukraine with monumental loss in lives and in property; yet with no end in sight. War in the Middle East between Iran and the United States and Israel. War in Sudan. Armed conflicts in Cameroon; and in Myanmar; and in many more parts of the world. How can the work of God blossom in such a climate?. It can, it is, and it always will.
God’s work cannot be hindered. He calls men and women to his service and there is no greater calling than the service of God.
May the Lord further strengthen those He has chosen.
Ayo Fasoro
Non Sum Dignus
