As we celebrate this incredibly important Solemnity, we recognize how Saints Peter and Paul, although very different from each other and given their own missions, were extraordinary men called by Jesus to be the foundational pillars of the Church. This first mission can be found in today’s gospel when Jesus makes Simon Peter the rock upon which he will build the Church. But Jesus isn’t talking about a physical building. Rather, he is speaking about the “living stones” of the apostles and their successors and, by extension, all of us who are called to listen, believe, and respond in our own vocations.

Many living stones have helped me recognize my personal calling from Christ: my family, lifelong friends from my undergraduate years, connections through my kids, and current and former coworkers from my parish and colleagues on campus.

But there is one living stone who has been the foundation for shaping my faith and vocational journeys and has likely done the same for thousands of others throughout his 50 years of priesthood. Msgr. William Schooler, who affectionately goes by Fr. Bill, will retire from active ministry in our diocese this weekend. As pastor of Saint Pius X Parish, just down the road from campus and home to many Notre Dame employee families, Fr. Bill represents to me the perfect example of embracing the foundational and evangelizing mission modeled by Saints Peter and Paul. He has ministered to me and countless people with kindness, hope, and love while guiding us to listen, to believe, and to respond.

As we honor these two pillars of the Church today and my parish honors Fr. Bill this weekend, I encourage us to ponder the “living stones” in our lives. How do they help us recognize Christ’s calling, and how will we respond to their witness?