The newly ordained priest Georg Böckl-Bichler from Erlach was solemnly welcomed in his home parish association Otterfing-Steingau-Baiernrain.
Otterfing
- “I have the sun in my heart,” the priest Georg Böckl-Bichler, consecrated the day before in Munich's Liebfrauendom, consoled himself and his 200 guests. Justament this one solemn hour of his reception on Sunday evening in Otterfing made thick raindrops and rumbling thunder a truly unforgettable event. The sky donated sunbeams again only over the wet chairs in the wide school yard during the final blessing of the Primiz flag ribbons with words, holy water and incense as well as for ratcheting and toasting after the official part.
As it should be in the village, everyone is there during these weeks: family, friends and neighbors, pastors from the parishes next door, Protestant clergy, flag delegations, church and political dignitaries, committees and associations romped happily in Otterfing. Not to forget the music that preceded the small pageant from Bergham, framed the ceremony and then played for a drink. Wedding host Alexander Sebold from Eurasburg ensured that the process was both relaxed and tight.
Parish priest Slawomir Fialkowski welcomed the new priest from the little village of Erlach as "a great gift from God" - all the more since being a priest has become more demanding today than it used to be. Pastor Madelaine Strassburg from the Evangelical Methodist Congregation Otterfing referred to the “mission command” of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew, “Go into all the world” in order to spread the word of God, which applies to all Christians. Your Protestant-Lutheran colleague Peer Mickeluhn, who saw Böckl-Bichler at the end of a path as well as at the start of a new one, recommended to him: “Stay human”, despite all the demands and challenges.
Otterfings' mayor Michael Falkenhahn humorously and respectfully pointed out the difference between him and the new priest.
In his election, 50 percent of the citizens' votes would be enough.
“A priest has to make a 100 percent decision on his own.” Even if the new priest now goes to Wasserburg, Otterfing comes with him, in the form of a community coat of arms.
Deputy District Administrator Jens Zangenfeind found it “very refreshing” that, in Böckl-Bichler, a younger man was ready to get involved in cooperation between the political and the church community.
The council chairman of the parish association, Lampert Maier, was happy about the “special day” on which his parish association could welcome a freshly ordained pastor who had followed God's call with an open heart. Just as the little apple tree that was handed over sinks its roots into the home soil to bear fruit, so may the new priest now, starting from his roots in his parents' home in Erlach, in his pastoral work, with trust and confidence in God, produce good fruit. A gift donated jointly by many sides was then ceremonially unveiled: a cream-colored chasuble with a golden cross in a multicolored halo. The motif has accompanied the primer for weeks on the Internet and on printed matter.
At the end, the new priest himself also had a say.
For him, "30 years in schoolyards" are coming to an end as a pupil, student and teacher.
In 1995 he first served as minister and since then has always enjoyed the liturgy.
He saw the white and yellow Primiz flag ribbons as a symbol "that Christ goes before us".
How familiar it is in the parish association was also shown by the fact that the neighbor from the "Girgl", the Steingau lecturer Gertraud Schweighart, made the final intercession.
The honored one added one last himself: For his Primiz church service on Sunday, July 11th at 10 am at the Löschweiher in Erlach, he not only wished himself and his fellow celebrants a nice course, but also “better weather”.
By Gudula Beyse