Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

Fr. Ted brought us out of the shadows

When Father Ted Rozmahel came to Rocky Mountain House, we were basically a family that hid out in the back pew doing as little as possible. First in, to be sure to get the back pew, and first out.

In between, we were constantly battling with a super hyperactive child. Mass, for us, was major stress and not something we always looked forward to attending. But it was still a priority, thanks to the grace of God.

The first time, I saw Father Ted, I heard a whisper - "Open your heart to my priest." My first reaction was to be skeptical. But upon reflection and prayer, I remembered hearing that little voice when I met Greg. My answer in my heart and life was, "Yes, Lord."

It was difficult in the beginning as it is with most new relationships. Sometimes, I would think that Father Ted looked upset by something I did or said. But when I went and talked with him about it, I would find that I was badly mistaken. He was always approachable and would listen to what I had to say.

I made it a firm policy to only take on jobs that nobody else wanted. As a result, I became very busy. I went from being practically invisible to being front and centre in church service.

Father Ted allowed altar girls to serve at Mass. When MaryAnne and RoseMarie started serving, it was for daily Mass only. The girls eventually decided they wanted to go to every Mass they could to serve for Father Ted. They kept a close eye on the bulletin to make sure they didn't miss a Mass where they could serve.

Father Ted baited Greg with the simple job of lighting the altar candles. It wasn't long before he too was fully hooked, fixing everything Father mentioned.

Soon I realized that not only was God calling me to serve his priest, he was calling all of us as a family. We had gone from an inactive family hiding in the shadows to a dedicated family serving in the light.

As a family, we were always, always welcome at Father's residence. All we had to do was knock on the door to be invited in. If he was busy, he'd let us watch TV and eat his goodies until he could find some time for us.

Father Ted was always so happy to see us and so welcoming, especially when he needed help with something - like cooking at Our Lady of Victory Camp.

Father Ted encouraged me to attend a Live-In where for the first time in my life that I can remember I experienced God's love for me. He also encouraged me to go to a silent retreat where I learned that the smart thing to do is to have a close relationship with Our Blessed Mother who only wants to show us Jesus and to bring us closer to him.

Greg's eyes got all sprayed with hot sulphur while Father Ted was here. Father said, "You know all those daily Masses you've been attending. God spared your sight." Father blessed Greg and prayed for him.

After Father Ted left Rocky, we continued to serve our priests in the sacristy as lovingly and faithfully as we had served him. In serving Father Ted, I had discovered that each priest God sends into our lives comes with a special gift that only he can give. To receive that gift, one must be open.

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