MIAMI | It was a strange request and the priest was dumbfounded.

�She wanted a rosary in her left hand and a fork in her right hand,� Father Anthony Bozeman recounted during the first night of a four-night revival sponsored by the Archdiocese of Miami�s Office of Black Catholic Ministry.

He was telling the story of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who had been given six months to live. She was asking her pastor to help her prepare her funeral.

Father Bozeman explained that the woman knew she had something good coming on the other side.

�Sometimes after a meal at the church social they tell you to keep your fork,� said Father Bozeman. �That�s when you knew a good dessert, something of substance was coming. It wasn�t going to be jell-o or pudding, but sweet potato pie or carrot cake.�

Father Bozeman�s preaching kept the crowd on its feet during the four-day revival, which began Feb. 3 at Holy Redeemer Church in Liberty City, and continued subsequent nights at Notre Dame d�Haiti, Visitation and St. Philip Neri.

The priest grew up in Philadelphia and was ordained in 2000. Before ordination he served in the military, both active and Air National Guard Reserve. In 2005, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia released Father Bozeman to discern a deeper answer to God�s call by joining the Josephite community. He was assigned to parishes in Houston and New Orleans, where he now serves.

In his first night�s talk, he referred to the Gospel reading of the Transfiguration, where Jesus� face changed, his clothing became dazzling white, and a cloud came over Peter, James and John. A voice from the cloud told them, �this is my chosen Son, listen to him.�

�His homies became �scurred� by the cloud � that�s New Orleans slang, for scared,� Father Bozeman joked. �Someone say, silly Peter! The apostles saw his glory.�

Why don�t Catholics �shout for joy and wave our hands in the midst of a scripture that moves you?� asked the priest. In a serious, mocking voice, he answered, �Oh, you know, that�s not my tradition. I hold it inside.�

�I wonder what you were doing when the Miami Heat won the national championship?� he asked. �Did you say, that�s not my tradition to get excited? I bet you were jumping for joy, high-fiving. Do I hear an Amen!�

�God is on a mission to get us to see him in our lives. We need to sign up in his book of everlasting life,� said Father Bozeman, referring to the theme of the revival, �Signed, Sealed and Delivered.�

�That�s not just a Stevie Wonder song,� he said. �Sign me up and I�ll work for you, Jesus. Look at your neighbor and say, sign me up.�

It�s hard out there for a Christian, said Father Bozeman. But Christians want to be on God�s list, not Pookie and Tyrone�s list, not the list at the club.

�We celebrate revival during Black History Month,� he said. �But this celebration is for all, black, white. The Catholic Church welcomes all, 8 to 80 and beyond, blind, crippled and crazy. We are all one body. Amen?�

Father Bozeman also told the story of both his parents being diagnosed with cancer at the same time and his overwhelming feelings. His spiritual advisor prayed with him. �Even if they are not cured, I will praise God,� he recalled praying.

Both parents underwent surgery and were cured.

�It was Thanksgiving,� he said. �My parents had turkey soup and I had a turkey hoagie. It was the best Thanksgiving I ever had. Alleluia! God is good!� Father Bozeman said as he started to dance and dance and dance. Then the congregation joined in, �God is good!�