A rare occurrence happened in the ministry of Monsignor Michael Reed of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, becoming the Monsignor of the church where he grew up. Reed said he graduated from Milton High School in 1976 and went on to Pensacola Junior College and Florida State University, then on to the seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree, and finally Reed said he attended Catholic University where he earned his degree in canon law. In 1984, Reed said he received his ordination, and so this year marks his 30th as a Catholic priest.
For the last 14 years, Reed said he was the rector for the Cathedral of The Sacred Heart in Pensacola under Bishop John Ricard. However, Bishop Gregory Parkes took over at the Cathedral of The Sacred Heart. Reed said, “It’s a normal custom that the new bishop assigns a new rector.” So, Reed said, he was moved to St. Rose of Lima as monsignor.
“I remember a lot of people here,” Reed said. He said he also attended Milton High School’s recent reunion. “I’ve gotten a positive response from the people who knew me.” Reed said he also works together with Father Schamber, who himself also recently celebrated a 7-year anniversary.
Reed said at St. Rose of Lima, the church has been able to make major contributions to the poor, such as its involvement with Family Promise of Santa Rosa, Inc., which helps single parents and provides transitional housing and food. Reed said he’s also worked with the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution and the Blackwater River Correctional Facility. Reed said he also works with Pathways to Change, an organization working with men who’d normally go to jail but have the opportunity to attend a sort of boot camp program. Reed said he works with Sister Margaret Ann Calcutta with the Apostles of The Sacred Heart. “It’s very successful,” he said, the program showing decreased recidivism, or returning to jail. Finally, Reed said he also visits eight nursing homes.
Reed said his 30 years of experience meeting with people and helping hopefully has made him a better pastor to help others in their hardship and struggle. Reed said, “Even as a kid, my relationship with God was important. I feel more strongly now. I see it in my life and where I’ve served. Hopefully God uses me to make things happen for people.” One couple, Reed said, he knew for 29 years and the wife passed away after only 8 weeks of finding out she had cancer. “I’m here for her husband and family to help with their tragic loss and help with holidays, how they’ll be different now. I’ve grown a lot. I think I have a greater appreciation for who God is and what he wants for us.”
St. Rose of Lima is growing, Reed said, and is in the middle of a building project. He said they’re moving ahead with an educational building, family life center, and parish hall. When at the Pensacola Cathedral, Reed said there were dynamic adult education programs and he wants the same here. “I plan to be here and see it through,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Monsignor celebrates 30 years of shepherding