We are blessed here in Las Vegas with wonderful, holy priests. There's a few I can say who I truly love, and who I thank God for bringing into my life ~ Father Swenson's one of them.

He was sent to St. Bridget's to close it down ~ instead he opened the church doors wide to all, with the town's first Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel and, under his guidance, the parish became bigger than ever before. That first tiny Adoration Chapel and little white church were so warm, homey and welcoming ~ but Father Swenson always wanted to build a new church. The Lord granted him his wish ~ and Father Swenson celebrated his last Christmas here on earth attending Mass in the new church. He was adamant about the importance of keeping the Tabernacle in the center of the church and the design of the new building reflects his strong conviction. And he brought to the new church building many of the beautiful religious art pieces that his old Church and Adoration Chapel contained. It was a joy to see in the new church the familiar and lovely Monstrance, embroidered Altar cloths, candles and statues from the old Adoration Chapel. and I am so glad that the stained glass windows from the old church were preserved and placed in the new one.

St. Bridget's is one of the few churches in the diocese which celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Saturday mornings and people came from everywhere to attend. Father Swenson loved Our Lady so much! He always said that his Saturday morning Mass is dedicated to Mary. He was so funny ~ once he quipped, "The church is so full this morning, I'm tempted to take up a collection!" But then he said, "But no, anyone who comes here to celebrate this Mass in honor of Our Lady is giving enough. I'll never take a collection at a Saturday morning Mass."

I can still hear him saying to me, and he said this way more than once, "God loves you a lot, little Suzie! He has plans for you." He always hoped that I would be a Carmelite Nun... and even sent me to talk with the Sisters when they were still here in town. Life isn't quite going in that direction, but I still do think that, unusual as it may seem, my life is going in accordance with God's plan. Father Swenson, you're in Heaven now and you know exactly what it is that He has in mind for me, and because you loved all the people you shepherded so well ~ I smile when I think of how, in all that I do, in all my hopes and dreams, that, even from Heaven, I am still being helped by your prayers.