Spiritual Reflection

The picture attached was the chapel of the school of theology where my brother Dick and I and many other Vincentians were ordained.  It is now the church of the World Lithuanian Culture Center in Lemont, Illinois where I reside.  My brother and I were talking about how it is rare for a priest of our age to be still active.  Most priests in our community were ordained at 26 or 27 years of age.  Dick and I are 81 and you can do the math.  Recently, I concelebrated a funeral mass for a retired bishop of the Chicago Archdiocese and the secretary (young priest) for Cardinal Cupich remarked how amazing and wonderful it was that we were still so Active.

But I learned this was nothing compared to Howard Tucker who is the oldest practicing doctor at 102 years old.  He says staying active and an occasional martini is the key.  His tips for staying young are these: 1. Stay active physically and mentally, 2. Stop smoking cigarettes, and 3. Don’t harbor any hatred (it causes too much stress).  Come July I will remember Howard when he celebrates his 103rd Birthday!