By Andrew Junker | April 14, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Priests, religious and laity from across the Phoenix Diocese packed Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral April 6 for the annual Chrism Mass.

During the Mass, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted blessed three sacred oils that are used when celebrating the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, holy orders and the anointing of the sick. The more than 100 priests in attendance renewed their priestly vows during the liturgy.

Susan Rittal drove down for the Mass from Bullhead City with 16 other members of St. Mary Margaret Parish. Fr. Peter Dobrowski, pastor of the parish, leads a group down to the Valley each year for the Mass.

“Living so far away, it’s wonderful to be able to come together and celebrate with the diocese,” Rittal said. “It really brings us unity.”

As the scores of deacons, priests, seminarians and two bishops processed down the nave of the cathedral, the large choir sang polyphonic sacred music, often accompanied by horn and string sections.

“We come together to thank God for His Son Jesus Christ, the high priest,” Bishop Olmsted said at the start of Mass. He gave thanks to all the laity, religious and diaconate in attendance, but reserved special gratitude for the priests in his diocese.

“I could not be more thankful to God for you,” the bishop told them of their generous service that often goes unrecognized.

Having the opportunity to recognize and thank priests for their service is important to many of the Mass’s attendees. It’s what keeps bringing Sr. Raphael Quinn, IBVM, back each year.

“It’s a highlight of Holy Week,” she said. “It just gives us the opportunity to support our priests in thanksgiving for the gift of the Eucharist.”

During his homily, the bishop kept repeating a phrase he had read in the newspaper about the economic crisis: terrible times, great leaders.

“Jesus tells us, ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as serpents and as innocent as doves,’” the bishop said. “Jesus sends us not only to serve the people of God, but to offer them a shepherd’s care.”

He encouraged the priests not only to walk with their parishioners, but also “before them, to protect them from harm.” 

The bishop then enumerated all the modern challenges to Christian and specifically priestly life that call for great leaders.

These challenges included an often-pornographic culture that mocks virginity and celibacy, a society that aborts one-in-three unborn babies, a chief executive who allows taxpayer funds to finance embryonic stem cell research and overseas abortions, and a global financial meltdown leaving many unemployed.

But at every disheartening turn, Bishop Olmsted said, priests should look for opportunities to live out their calling more fully.

So, in the face of an economic downturn?

“Is it not time for us priests to rediscover the joy of poverty? We are blessed to be called to live in terrible times,” the bishop said, because the light of Christ will shine even more brightly in the darkness.

Rector of the cathedral Fr. Rob Clements described the annual Mass as a “little boost as you begin Holy Week.”

“The homily was meant to be encouraging to the priests. It’s the one opportunity for the bishop to express his solidarity and thank his closest collaborators,” Fr. Clements said.

Holy Chrism is used to anoint a priest’s hands during his ordination, which the rector said links the Chrism Mass to priestly ministry.

“It’s a renewal of priestly service,” he said of the Mass. “This week kind of captures in miniature what priesthood is all about.”