Priesthood

I had thoughts of priesthood when I was young, but they came and passed along with other career thoughts, such as being a fireman or a lawyer. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I took the thought seriously. I remember attending a mission at St. Michael’s given by two Redemptorist priests, who were brothers. They made the statement that “someone in the congregation would become a priest.” I remember looking around and thinking about who would be giving me competition in getting this call. I later inquired about joining the Order, but through discernment and prayer knew that I would be a diocesan priest.

I attended the Pontifical College Josephinum for college and theology. These were good years. I spent the time in studies, prayer and community fun. I got a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy in college and a Master’s of Divinity in theology.

I am glad that God has given me this vocation. I have had many days when I have rejoiced that I have cooperated with God. There have been some tough days and some when I have suffered, but I have never regretted cooperating with God.

A typical day, for me, starts around 5:50 am with coffee. I am at the gym around 6:30 am. I spend about a half hour in prayer before 9 am Mass. The mornings usually consist of office work and/or hospital visits. I have midday prayer. In the afternoon, I work on homily preparation and in the summers there are many weddings to prepare for. Before dinner, I say evening prayer. After dinner, many nights, I have meetings with various people.

Being a parish priest is awesome! I like a little change in the routine from day to day and everyday as a priest brings something new. I am definitely not a 9 to 5 type of guy. Sitting in an office all day is not my "calling," either. I like to be out among people, interacting, and doing the work of the Lord. It's great! Each day, in some way or another, I feel that my words and work have a purpose, make a difference, and are centered and rooted in the higher power of God. What more could I ask of God in this life?!

I have a "job" that is purposeful, has a mission, allows me to meet all types of people in any given day. I get to minister to a variety of folks in different stages and places in their lives. It's great to work with wonderful groups on projects that everyone is interested in and willing to bring to fruition. I "labor in the vineyard" with a staff who actually loves their jobs and see them as vocations from God. WOW!!! What other kind of job could you find where your fellow employees, bosses, and those you serve EXPECT you to pray everyday? Built into the job description is the benefit of being able to take the time everyday to talk to God, get re-connected with him on a regular basis, re-focus on what is important, and offer up to Him the concerns of His people.

The experience of celebrating the Holy Mass is off the charts. And I get to offer the Mass daily! While at times, visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and the homebound can be challenging, I take away from these encounters a deep sense of faith, gratitude and healthy dose of my own mortality. I am always reminded of our need for God.

Presently, I am working with the parish staff and church volunteers on a capital campaign, entitled "Continuing the Legacy Entrusted To Our Care," that will allow us to renovate some of our parish facilities and build some new facilities. The name of our building project says it all. Our mothers and fathers in faith built up our communities of faith, which for many years have been feeding the souls of men and women, caring for their lives with the love of God, shepherding them through dark times and into the light, and celebrating the joys of being members of the family of God. Now it is my turn to give back to the community of faith entrusted to my care in the name of God. So even the more administrative or "bricks & mortar" aspects of being a parish priests are real opportunities to do the work of the Lord and help people carry forward with their faith and lives.

Working with the youth has been a real gift. I am the Catholic Chaplain for a local university. Meeting with the college students throughout each week is great. We gather to share our faith and a meal. College students have so many questions and often experience doubt in their faith or themselves. What a privilege to be present to them as they search for answers! To be a priest allows me to be a mediator and minister of the Word and Sacrament as their searching draws them closer to the truths of God, as manifested through His Holy Church. I always get a charge of great satisfaction from seeing large numbers of college students attending the Campus Mass on Sunday!

Working with high school youth in our youth ministry program is a blessing, too. We have a wonderful youth minister, who has a large and reliable group of adults and young adults helping us to minister to the needs of the teenagers. Working with the teens is lots of fun, always challenging, and quite rewarding.

Yet another privilege for me, as a parish priest, is collaborating with the teachers and catechists of our elementary school in teaching the kids about the beautiful and fundamental truths of our Catholic faith. Passing on the these truths and the great wisdom of the Church arms them with the life skills to be able to discern right from wrong, good from bad, truth from lie, life-giving from life-taking, and to come to know why God has created them and placed them in this world.

Being an instrument of reconciliation and healing is another very satisfying and humbling aspect of my "job" as a priest. On any given day, there are phone-calls, emails, appointments, confessions, and visitations that allow me to assist other fellow human beings with their sins, guilt, suffering, loss, emptiness, healing and restoration.

I also make regular time for me! Yep! It is true. One of things I learned in the seminary was to live a good balanced life. So time with my sisters and mom, nieces and nephews are very important. My family keeps me grounded and reminds me of who I am. Time with fellow priests, who are my best friends, is also very life-giving. We see movies, go to plays, take vacations, just hang out and catch-up. Friendships are vital, whether they are with other priests with parish families. Exercise and the pursuit of hobbies are necessary and offer much needed distractions and time to think. I am a regular jogger and bicyclist. Making time for reading is good for the mind - both as a form of continuing education and recreation.

Well, I could go on about the life of a parish priest, but I think you are getting the picture. Every parish is different and every priest is different, too. Even so, as parish priests, we all believe that God has called us to this wonderful life. We spend our entire lives responding to that call from God and witnessing from around every corner and in every conversation the confirmation from God that we wisely chose this vocation He has called us to live.

Qualities of a Candidate for the Priesthood

Catholic Seminaries and Schools of Theology