Jesuit, “This Is The Only Way Of Life For Me”

Father Martin Rock, S.J. celebrates his 50th anniversary At St. Mary's in Ogden Utah

by Christine Young
Intermountain Catholic

OGDEN ­— “This is the only way of life for me,” said Jesuit Father Martin I. Rock as he concelebrated the Mass for his 50th anniversary.

Fr. Rock wanted the children to be a part of his Mass, so he moved the children’s Mass to the 5 p.m. Mass Saturday, June 13.

“Jesus said let the children come to me,” said Fr. Rock, as he gathered them around the altar. He explained to them there are many angels surrounding the altar. He also told the children "Jesus loves us, and Saint Joseph loves us. Our Mother Mary loves us, too. So let us pray the Hail Mary.” “Today we are focusing on one possible vocation which God could call you to, which is the priesthood,” said Jesuit Father Leo Prengaman in his homily. “Because it requires too much faith and trust, and so much self-denial so we are honoring today Fr. Rock for 50 years on the job,” said Fr. Prengaman. “A priest is called father, by the way, because in some respects his work is similar to that of a father of a family. He leads, he teaches, he corrects, and he provides a good example of the right way to live – what Christian adulthood is all about. These qualities are wonderfully available in Fr. Rock,” said Fr. Prengaman.

Link (here) to the full story at Intermountain Catholic

Link (here) to more history about the Jesuit history at St. Mary's

.