bishop’s reflection
by Bishop Michael G. Duca
Who Has Helped You on Your Way?
T
his past week I watched an interview with Pharrell Williams on one of my favorite TV shows “CBS Sunday Morning” with Charles Kuralt. Now I had no idea who he was, but he has a hit song called “Happy” with a contagiously optimistic video that is a joy to watch. I do not know much about his life, but what intrigued me about the interview is how he seemed Bishop Duca to frustrate the interviewer. When asked about what choices he made to lay the groundwork for his success, he named his grandmother and all of his music teachers as the reason he was a successful musician. When asked about his success, he thanked his fans, his collaborators, his supporting musicians and family. Eventually after a series of questions he asked the interviewer if his answers were frustrating. When the interviewer implied that he should take credit for his unique talent as the reason for his success, Mr. Williams said in so many words that to think that way was dangerous and wrong. He said, “I mean, those are the most tragic stories, the most gifted people who start to believe it�s really all them. It�s not all you. It can�t be all you. Just like you need air to fly a kite, it�s not the kite. It�s the air.” This selfless and thankful awareness of why he is successful was refreshing and surprising in this self-centered and narcissistic society in which we live. It also got me thinking because I was considering an article about my vocation to the priesthood for this issue of the Connection. Vocation stories almost always talk of the decision a man or woman makes to answer God�s call to the service of the priesthood or religious life. But, and you may not have thought about this, when a man, for example, enters the seminary he is told that there are two sides to a vocation to the priesthood. First he must believe he is
called by God to be a priest. Second, and just as important, the Church (with the help of the seminary) must discern that the call is genuine and that the seminarian has the “stuff” – the health of mind, body and spirit – to be a good priest. So no matter how much someone wants to be a priest or sister or a member of a religious community, they must also be called by the Church to ordination and/or profession of religious vows. This is why at the beginning of the ordination ceremony of the priest, the name of the man to be ordained is called out and when he responds, “PRESENT,” it is his sign that he feels called. The next question is asked by the Bishop, “Do you know them to be worthy?” to which the answer is given to the Bishop by the vocations director, “After inquiry among the Christian people and upon recommendation of those responsible, I testify that he has been found worthy.” So my thoughts go to those in my life who made me worthy to be a priest, those who were the wind to my kite. I am grateful for all my grade school teachers who taught me skills that I often forget I once had to learn. The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth from Chicago and lay teachers of St. Thomas Aquinas Grade School who taught me the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic laid a foundation that has served me all my life. I have a deep appreciation for the Dominican Fathers and lay teachers of
Bishop Lynch High School who guided me through my high school years. My scout master, Charlie Mohrle, who shaped my leadership skills and gave me wonderful opportunities to appreciate the outdoors. I value the seminary staff at Holy Trinity Seminary and the premiere Bishop Duca with education I his father, Lewis, at his episopal received from ordination. the University of Dallas that directly prepared me for priestly ministry. I could never repay the gift of my parents, Lewis and Aline, who gave me a stable and loving home and instilled in me a love of Christ and appreciation of my faith. If we reflect on our lives we will see how many people helped us on our way and we are who we are because of the way they cared for us. In my life I am thankful that most of them were living their vocation as a Christian and faithfully gave their time, talent and treasure as an act of faith to help guide and form my classmates and me. This thought humbles me and fills me with gratitude. This is a hidden but important part of my vocation story. Let us pray for those discerning a religious vocation, but also realize the work of promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life is the work of all the Church and it begins by first loving all our children and giving them the opportunities they need to become men and women of faith. Take a moment to remember, thank if you can, those who have helped you succeed, endure, change, heal or learn. Give thanks to God for all the good He has given to you through them. May 2014 5