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Happy 90th Birthday, Fr. Mike Marini!

A STORY OF LOVE IN WORDS AND PICTURES

When Fr. Mike was a young man of 70, he retired as pastor of Holy Cross Church, the place where he had celebrated childhood sacraments and Ordination as well as attended school from Kindergarten through high school. On the night of his retirement celebration, the hall was filled with people who had grown up with him, those who had received sacraments from him, and some who were just beginning to know and love him. That night, poet and friend of Fr. Mike's, Ziggy Rendler-Bregman, shared her poem about what his retirement might look like. Entitled "Rooted and Willing," here is the poem along with some photos from his years

at Holy Cross.


Imagine him

free

to wade the river again

barefoot dancing and unafraid

climbing the mountain

just to suck in sweet scent of bay and laurel

stopping only to hear his own heart beat

with delight in this

day the Lord has made.

Whose chantrelle and porcini are these?

Who brings the feast home?


Imagine him

with that radiant August glow

all year long

mile after mile of West Cliff walking.


Imagine him silent imagine him

Just long enough in the garden

to let that full belly laugh turning over soil for new plum tomatoes.

rise up and echo in our ears. We might be surprised by the depth of his planting.


Knee deep in baptismal water

trusting the breath of life.

Oh good pastor

eloquent teacher

Worthy to be called child of God.

We have learned to pray with you.

His sacred hands blessing infant, child, widow or man

pouring out precious oil

sweet incense rising

at dawn

through dark

in timeless wonder

Rabbi in a Roman collar seldom worn

Who lifts his voice to chant

and breaks bread with those the world rejects.

Planting, pruning, forgiving, feeding

A Priest forever

working the garden

rooted and willing.

Will the promise be understood when we recall

the solemn song and reverent bow we have learned to make?

Deeply planted in this Good News so loved and lived in him.

Can this be a glimpse of the eternal banquet?



We love you Fr. Mike!





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