Dear Parishioners,
I can remember that it was my junior
year of high school. I was standing with
some of my friends in the cafeteria of Wildwood Catholic High School during a school dance.
I was checking out the girls
there in the rather dark setting, trying to get up the courage (because I was
so shy) to ask one of them to dance.
Then along comes this priest.
He was new to the school, not ordained for too long, and was assigned to
teach my theology class.
“Did you ever think about
becoming a priest?”
He asked me that question. It still resonates in my mind. What should I say?
Maybe I was unusual, but my prayer life at that time included a prayer for a good wife. I prayed that God would give me the wife that
was best suited for me and that we would be happy together. It’s funny how I can remember quite clearly
how I regularly prayed that particular request.
“Yes, Father, I’ve thought about
it but I’m not sure that it’s right for me.”
It seemed to be a good enough
response to get him to go away and let me resume what I was doing—at least
for the time being.
After nearly 34 years of
ministry as a diocesan priest, I realize clearly that Christ answered my prayer
and gave me the best bride that He possibly could—His own spouse, the Church. I can honestly say that I am truly grateful
that God called me to be His priest and for the gift of the ordained,
ministerial Priesthood.
On this 4th Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, Bishop Sullivan
asked us to speak about and to encourage vocations to the diocesan priesthood. Parishioners are asked to pray specifically for vocations to the diocesan priesthood. Please
take the time to do so every day.
The privilege to offer Mass daily,
to bring healing and forgiveness in the Sacrament
of Penance and Reconciliation, to anoint the sick, to baptize, to teach and
preach the Catholic faith, to act in the
person of Christ in the sacraments and so many other blessings have humbled
me and reminded me of God’s great love and mercy for His people.
I don’t believe that God ever stopped calling young men to be His priests. God remains faithful from age to age. Pray that those who are called by God can hear and discern “the call” and have the courage to respond to it.
Pastor
A Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus, we ask you to bless the Diocese of Camden
with an increase in vocations to the priesthood.
We pray that young men from our parishes and families will
hear your call and be both generous and courageous in their response.
May more young men serve you as priests who teach the faith, preach the Gospel,
celebrate the sacraments and make you present among us through their ministry.
Encourage them to embrace the joy-filled and fulfilling life of a diocesan priest.
May parents support priestly vocations in their families by prayer and good example.
We entrust these prayers through Mary Immaculate, our patroness,
hopeful that you will bless our diocese with more priest in the near future,
who live and reign forever and ever.
AMEN.
No comments:
Post a Comment