Introducing Father Christopher

Two weeks ago, I had the honor of witnessing a dear friend enter the priesthood.

I first met Father Christopher shortly after moving to Arizona. Brian encouraged me to join our parish choir to meet people and find community. Brian and I had lived in Texas our entire lives. We knew we would have to put a lot of effort in to creating community in a place where we had no family.

The Gossen family quickly became dear friends. I sang in the choir with his father. His sister became our babysitter. I watched Christopher become our parish youth minister and I served as one of his core team.

You could see The Holy Spirit encouraging him in his vocation. And I watched as Christopher said, “yes”, to the long process of discerning the priesthood.

I remember the Mass when it was announced to our parish that he was leaving for seminary. Seven years sounded so long.

And then suddenly, it was here.

The weekend began with Vespers at Saint Simon and Jude Cathedral on Friday evening. The music was absolutely incredible. Ancient languages, the smell of cedar, and angelic voices transported us to a sacred and holy moment.

On Saturday, we attended the Ordination. I watched as the church was filled with priests, deacons, brothers, nuns, and lay people. I whispered about the beauty of the day to my children and hoped they realized that something incredible was happening.

On Sunday, we attended his first Mass and I was honored to play the role of photographer in the background.

I had read about the beautiful traditions of a newly ordained priest wiping the ancient chrism that he was anointed with onto the maniturgia to be placed around his mother’s hands upon the time of her burial. I had been told the story that he would also grant his father the stole worn during his first time hearing confessions and his sister with a crucifix, wiped with the same chrism.

Even though I had heard the story of this tradition, nothing could have prepared me for the flood of emotions that happened while I was watching the ceremony.

To know that one day, his mother will look upon the face of our Savior and
The Lord will ask her, “what did you do for me?” And she will tell him, “I gave you my son.



Fr. Christopher, we love you so very much. May God grant you many years and a beautiful journey towards home.