February 2, 2010, a happy day in the life of Unity Acres: the 50 th Anniversary of Ordination of our chaplain, Father Robert Jones. Despite much planningand preparation during the precedingweek, the day itself was still a busy one with untold details to be attended to, right until the hour of Father’s arrival at Unity Acres in the mid–afternoon. Flowers for the altar have to be ordered, and the dining hall decorated. The menu for the evening must be agreed.
Mass for the Feast of the Presentation was celebrated in our Sacred Heart Chapel at four o’clock in the afternoon. Men of Unity Acres were in attendance, as wereneighbors from close–by, friends from Syracuse and the North Shore, and FatherJones’ brother Bill and niece Amy, by Unity Acres staff and board members, as well as our regular Sunday and week–day congregants, all united in our commemoration of thisspecial day. Thanks to Peg, who thought to bring her camcorder, we have a videotape record of the liturgy.
An honor guard from the Fairmount Knights of Columbus made an especially striking impression as they processed toward the altar. The Mass itself was concelebrated by Father Jones and Father Moritz Fuchs. The program included songs by one of Father Jones’ favorite song–writers, Carey Landry: “Surprise, Surprise, God is a Surprise,” and “Smile, Don’t You Know God Loves You.” After communion, there was time set aside for the people assembled to share a word or two: personal reflections on Father Jones’ priestly ministry, a story or a word of thanks and appreciation. A prayer and blessing for priestswas prayed by all the people and the liturgyconcluded with the usual dismissal: “The Mass is ended, go in peace,” and the people’sresponse, “Thanks be to God.” Father Jones then hastened to indicate that ourcelebration of the Eucharist would continue: that the celebration would move from the table of the Lord in the Chapel to the tables in our dining hall. Another communion would take placethere.
On these occasions, it takes a long time for everyone to be seated: people must meet and greet one another, and offer once again their congratulations and thanks. At last, everyone has found a place and the assembly is called to order, so that Sister Monica may pray a blessing over the food to be shared. Then one by one, the tables are called out, and each of the residents and guests go up to the serving line. The kitchen staff have prepared ziti and meatballs, with salad and bread. Gary has baked a cake, which Laura volunteered to decorate. Dawn, Loretta, John and Laura helped serve the meal. Helen, Marie and Aleata made and served chocolate brownie sundaes. Near the end of the evening, Mary Agnes leads the company in singing “Happy Anniversary to You,” and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”
Many thanks to all who attended, to all who helped out in preparing the food and decorating the dining hall. Special thanks to Fred, who tidied up our chapelin advance of Mass, to Steve D for photographing the event, and to my mother Loretta for helping to co–ordinate plans for the day. And finally, to Father Jones, congratulations on your Anniversary, and Thank–you for your ministry at Unity Acres!