Happy Palm Sunday, from Queens

It was packed at the Masses today at my parish—and people wasted no time grabbing their palms.

There’s always a line for the pastor, Bishop Paul Sanchez, as people wait for special blessings after Mass. He never says no.

We were blessed to have a visitor Sunday: Fr. Sean Suckiel, ordained just four years and now serving as Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

I first met Sean almost 15 years ago, when he was a teenager answering phones at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal parish in Ridgewood, Queens. My spiritual director was the pastor of the parish, so I was a frequent visitor. Back then, Sean told me then there was only one thing he ever wanted to be when he grew up: a priest.

It was a pleasure and privilege to finally serve beside him at Mass today for the first time.

Below, the recessional from that Mass: “Lift High the Cross.” Happy Palm Sunday!