By Paula Day

A festive, springlike setting welcomed parishioners, friends and family of Father Ed Everitt at a special liturgy May 21, marking his 25 years as a Dominican priest.

The sanctuary of Holy Cross Church in Tucker bloomed with large floral baskets and tree branches sprouting paper dogwood blossoms. Fellow Dominicans and priests from neighboring parishes concelebrated the 7:30 p.m. liturgy with Father Everitt.

The combined Chancel and Celebration choirs brought a mix of traditional and contemporary music to the liturgy. The choir was accompanied by brass, string, organ and piano instrumentation.

“It was fun to please him,” said Mary Lynn Weatherly. Father Everitt appreciates care taken by others to make the elements of the liturgy top rate, the music minister said. “He recognizes the effort that goes into good liturgy. I’d rather work for someone who expects the best because I like to provide the best.”

Classmate and fellow Dominican, Father David Wright, concelebrated the liturgy as did Father Cayet Mangiaracina, OP, Father Vincente Pena, OP, parochial vicars at Holy Cross, and Father Louis Roy, OP, visiting from Montreal. Father Henry Gracz, vicar for clergy, Father John Kelley, Father Richard Kieran, Father Ken Bayer, MSFS, Father John DeVore, MSFS, and Father Bruce Morrill, SJ, were also concelebrants. Frank Coughlin was deacon for the celebration.

Father Everitt’s brother, John, sister Shirley Kilgore, and niece Kathryn Thibeaux presented the offertory gifts.

Silver, pink and white balloons festooned the parish hall where buffet and beverage tables were set up for the reception that followed the Mass.

For parishioner Lynn Crutchfield the anniversary celebration had special meaning. Mrs. Crutchfield and her husband Larry help train couples to lead one-on-one marriage preparation for engaged couples in the parishes of the archdiocese.

“Our presence at Father Ed’s 25th anniversary liturgy was more than a nice gesture,” she said. “We were saying ‘yes,’ ‘amen’ to 25 years of commitment to serving others in the name of Christ. It was a time to thank God for the gift of all those years.” She noted that the ordained priest and married couple both participate in sacraments instituted specifically for their states in life.

“We share the joy of Father Ed’s anniversary in much the same way we would celebrate a couple’s 25th wedding anniversary.”

In his homily the priest said he felt it a privilege to be part of the lives of his parishioners in their brokenness as well as their healing. The statement reminded Mrs. Crutchfield that pastors share and celebrate the most significant moments in the lives of their parishioners from baptism to death. This realization made supporting Father Everitt particularly meaningful to the Crutchfields.

On another level Father Everitt is “very, very domestic in a lot of ways,” Mrs. Crutchfield said. “He has quite a gift for hospitality and would cook a meal for you on the spot, he so enjoys cooking. He has a gentle manner and shares who he is. His warmth makes people feel comfortable around him.”

Frank Piacentini, a longtime Holy Cross parishioner, underscores this observation. “He always speaks to you. He’s very personable. And I just think he gives a wonderful sermon. He’s a gifted speaker. We like him very much.”

“A super persona and a great homilist,” remarked Bob Jones, another longtime parishioner. “I thought the celebration was very uplifting – for him, I hope – and for everyone there.”

“He’s a very gifted person and we’re blessed to have him as a pastor at Holy Cross. I was pleased to see several priests at the celebration. Anytime one’s peers are there for such a celebration, it’s very supportive.”

At the reception Father Kieran and the other priests joined in a toast wishing Father Everitt “good health and long life.”