This past week has been a week to celebrate Fr. Jean Sassou!

Wednesday, June 14 Fr. Jean joyfully celebrated his fifteenth anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. Fr. Jean was ordained Saturday, June 14, 2008 at the Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus (Lisieux) in the Archdiocese of Garoua Cameroon.

As a parish, we are grateful that Fr. Jean answered God’s call to priesthood, and that his ministry has led him to Saint Matthew in Billerica. For me personally it has been both a privilege and honor to minister with such a dedicated servant of God. I cherish the fraternity and friendship I share with Fr. Jean. Fifteen years of priesthood is in itself a laudable milestone to attain.

As if that is not enough to celebrate, Fr. Jean has another significant accomplishment that he celebrated this past week. On Thursday, June 15, 2023 Fr. Jean graduated from Newburgh Theological Seminary, College of the Bible in Newburgh Indiana, with a PhD in Biblical Studies.

Fr. Jean completed and defended his doctoral dissertation - The Dry Bones: Narratological Study of Ezekiel 37: 1-4. I can personally attest to the dedicated work that Fr. Jean put into his studies, and he did it while serving our parish full time.

Please join me in congratulating Fr. Jean and praying for his continued ministry here in Billerica. Our parish of Saint Matthew the Evangelist is blessed to have Fr. Jean ministering among us.