St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family
Embracing the True Meanin A
bout 10 years ago, when Fr. Mark Botzet was a layperson, he had a profound dream that ultimately changed the course of his life forever. “One night, I dreamed that I was raising the Host in the orans pose just before elevating the Host,” he says. “I woke up that morning, thinking that I should consider the priesthood. It was one of three similar dreams I had. When I mentioned these dreams to Bishop Kettler, he thought that the dreams were a prompting from God to continue my discernment at major seminary, preparing me for the priesthood.” On June 15, 2019, Bishop Kettler ordained Fr. Botzet, and now he serves our parish family with a generous heart as our Parochial Vicar. As he looks forward to being the main celebrant for the Sacred Triduum services at our parish for the first time, he remembers how Our Lord spoke to him years ago. “Holy Thursday is all about the source and summit of our Catholic faith, which is the Eucharist,” he says. “To me personally, this is the most important aspect of the Triduum. It reminds me of my vocation story. I love Holy Thursday!” As a priest, Fr. Botzet also savors Good Friday and all that it signifies. “The Good Friday service begins in silence, and then we priests kneel and lay prostrate on the floor,” he says. “This also occurs at the ordination to the Diaconate and to the Priesthood. There are many different meanings behind it. However, for me, lying prostrate reminds me that I need to submit myself to Our
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Ordained on June 15, 2019, Fr. Mark Botzet now serves our parish family with a generous heart as our Parochial Vicar. He looks forward to being the main celebrant for the Sacred Triduum services at our parish for the first time.
Lord, and acknowledge that He is in control, not me. On Good Friday, Jesus commits His life into the hands of the Heavenly Father on Calvary, which points us to the altar and the Sacrifice of the Mass. These are all important aspects of my vocation as a priest.” Fr. Botzet’s inspiring testimony shows us how the rich liturgies, traditions, symbols, and rituals
