Even I can't believe it

Today is December 11, 2025.  Today is the birthday of a very dear friend whom I just don't get to see like we once did.  Paul and I became friends a year before Charles and I.  It was an instant chemistry between us, simply built upon friendship and respect.  Like any good friends, we could talk about anything and open up about anything and everything.  We were truly looking out for the best of whatever the other needed.

I was the choir assistant when Paul arrived.  It was the first time we met, at rehearsal one day.  I would always arrive early as it was my job to be sure all of the music was pulled from the music library (which was extensive) for the choir members to use, especially when it came to works that were for 4-part voices (tenor 1, tenor 2, baritone, and bass -- for those of you who care).  One afternoon, Paul arrived early too and asked if I needed his help.  When I saw him, I knew I needed to not only say yes, but that this was a person I wanted to know better.

"Mike Novick, 1st Theology"

"Paul Ferguson, pre-Theology"

"Nice to meet you.  Of course you can help.  Thank you."

Through the next few weeks, we pretty much only saw one another at choir, but we were making more time for taking walks and having meals at the cafeteria - not by ourselves.  I started to introduce him to some of my classmates and good friends, and vice versa.  I always say that is the mark of a good friendship -- let others share your joy.

At the end of the first semester, there is a 3-day silent retreat for the pre, first, and second year theologians.  However, we were told at the beginning of the retreat that we could converse with others as long as we were not disturbing others' silence.  I invited Paul to come to my room one of the nights for just good "getting to know you" talk.  We learned quite a bit about each other that night.  We simply had no issue of trusting anything and everything -- from family to careers and schooling to our views on the Church.  It was pure respect.  We would eventually learn that there were three subjects we would never agree on - IBM vs. Apple Computers, Ford Motor products vs. any other car, and (quite honestly) i don't recall the last one.  I highly doubt Paul would ever remember that last subject either.  But Paul and I had the most interesting conversation at least once per semester.

You see, once a semester, the formation faculty would have Evenings of Prayer.  They were for the whole student body to attend at the house chapel, with a scripture passage to take back to our rooms for about an hour or 90 minutes in silence and reflection.  After that first time Paul and I talked at the silent retreat, we would have our evenings with the community.  Inevitably, Paul never left the chapel to pray.  He would envelop himself in a "spiritual cocoon" and pray just sitting for the time.  That never ceased to amaze me.  I, however, would practically run back to my room with all kinds of thoughts that I simply wanted to write down.  After we went back to the chapel to finish the night with prayer, Paul would come back to my room and we would simply find out what was running through our souls.  Usually, we were awake until about 12:30am or so.  They were some of the most intense and satisfying talks.  We learned A LOT more about each other.  

To this day, Paul remains a friend even though he serves in a diocese in southern Indiana.  But when we get on the phone, its usually just as intense as ever, talking about family and happenings in our ministries.  Every year on December 11th, I write almost the same reflection about Paul.  Why?  Because Paul became a true angel of the Most High to me and to so many others along the years of service.  That's 25 for me, and 24 for Paul.  What a ride!