Fr. Mendez's 40^th Anniversary Celebration

The parish honored Fr. Mendez's 40 years in priestly service with a Mass followed by a feast on June 25, 2000. Fr. Mendez's extended family joined St. Charles parishioners for this joyous milestone.

Fr. Mendez serves as the parochial vicar (associate pastor) for St. Charles.

During the celebration Mass, our pastor, Fr. Gerry, brought out his fiddle to serenade Fr. Mendez. With his typical good humor, Fr. Mendez quickly pulled a bill out his wallet and playfully handed it to Fr. Gerry...to stop playing! (Fr. Gerry held off until they got to the cafeteria.)

Fr. Mendez Delivers Rich Homilies
When Fr. Mendez gives a homily, St. Charles parishioners know they can expect a well-organized presentation that includes an explanation of the tenets of our faith combined with poignant examples from his life to reinforce the points. Fr. Mendez often reminds us of the important examples we can learn from American saints like Elizabeth Seton.

Many times he'll mention something amusing from childhood that we can all relate to, and then apply that point to God's love for us. Many of his examples center on the relationship between himself and his father growing up, from a tour of a factory to walks toward faraway castles. One time Fr. Mendez tenderly related how learning to trust in God was like the time his father was teaching him to ride a bike. Fr. Mendez wanted to look back to see if his father was still holding him, but he also had to keep looking ahead or else he'd fall.

Other stories describe how he felt when his mother called out to him when he had done something wrong. But Fr. Mendez doesn't want parishioners just to think of his stories; he wants us to read the stories in Scripture and to learn what God is saying to us there. That's why he consistently underscores the importance of making the Scriptures part of our daily lives.

Fr. Mendez displayed his sense of humor during the vigil Mass the day before his 40th anniversary celebration. As he blessed our youth before they left for Work Camp 2000, he quipped that even with the blessing the kids still needed to watch their fingers when hammering.

Fr. Mendez: Cyclist, Cyber-surfer and More
Have you seen that helmeted man pedaling laps around the St. Charles parking lot? It could be Fr. Mendez, who keeps fit by riding his bike when he's not taking a moment to surf the Web. And even though he'll modestly say it was nothing if you ask him, he's also designed some of the wonderful graphics you may have seen at various Ministry days and other events. For example, he designed a candle motif display which represented the many ministries at St. Charles. Perhaps you saw his stained glass-inspired volunteer banner that was in the parish office.

The 40th Anniversary Celebration Continues in the Cafeteria
After the 11 AM Mass, Fr. Mendez's family and fans gathered in the cafeteria to continue the celebration with a great feast and more music by Fr. Gerry. (See the pictures below)

The afternoon was a special moment to recognize the man who works so hard for all of us in the parish. Although he humbly tries to stay out of the spotlight, at this event Fr. Mendez was at the center of attention of those he serves so well.

Fr. Gerry salutes Fr. Mendez before an enthusiastic crowd in the cafeteria. (below)

Fran Hobbs of the Hospitality Committee serves Fr. Mendez's family some delicious food. (left)

Photos by Larry Prikockis