That Czech phrase means “The Lord be with you,” and when I spoke it today at mass, it marked my first attempt to serve as a deacon in a language other than my own.

I was invited by the Czech priest in residence at my parish, Fr. Anthony, to serve and preach before his little flock in Astoria, Queens. (That’s the good Fr. A. on the left there…) Every week, anywhere from 50-100 Czech and Slovak-speaking Americans gather in a church basement for mass; they converge from Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island with one simple desire: to hear the mass celebrated in their own language. My grandparents had come to this country from Slovakia nearly 100 years ago, so this event had special poignancy for me. I was, in a profound way, touching my roots.

It was a stirring, and humbling, experience. I didn’t screw up too badly (or so I was told, at least) and I could tell from the scattered chuckles that people appreciated my lame efforts. I only spoke a handful of key phrases in Czech, but proclaimed the gospel and preached the homily in English. (I did make a point to thank the good people gathered there for being patient with the way I butchered their language. They laughed. A good sign, I think…)

Since Fr. Anthony is returning to the Czech Republic next month, after eight years in America, this marked his “farewell mass,” and was followed by a reception in the church hall across the street.

I don’t know when I’ll have an opportunity to repeat that liturgical adventure. But it helped me to experience the faith in a way it is lived, and celebrated, by countless foreign-born priests who find themselves on our shores, suddenly having to master a new language, and a new way of praying. (At one point in my homily, I cracked to Fr. Anthony: “Now I know how you feel when you celebrate mass at my church!”)

We are a catholic church (small “c”), but one made up of many cultures and tongues. The hour I spent serving mass in Astoria made that simple fact a reality for me — and gave new resonance, as well, to the parable of “The Good Samaritan” in today’s gospel.

“Who is my neighbor?” He is one to whom I say today, and every day, in the language of the heart: “Pan s vami!”