catholicnewsherald.com | June 27, 2014 14B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
KOTTAR: FROM PAGE 12B
Nantahala Gorge. I said to myself, “This is really the end of the world. What have I got myself into?� The little church and rectory in Andrews has the best view of any in the diocese. Half of Graham County is in the Smoky Mountains National Park. I used to joke that we had more black bear as parishioners than humans. And they all tithed! CNH: What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned over the past 20 years? Father Kottar: I have learned that people love priests because they bring them Christ – the Holy Eucharist and all the sacraments and blessings when the priest acts in persona Christi. Pope Francis, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, said priests have been “anointed to anoint ... anointed to make every person who comes into this world, everyone who loves the Lord, feel the goodness and tenderness of God.� The priest has been anointed with the oil of gladness, so his oil will never dry up. It is also just the presence of the priest, like a home visitation or at a social function, which calls to mind the love of Christ. God is not somewhere off in the distance, but Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once said that what’s
essential about Christianity is Christ Himself. “God stepped into the world and acted; so it is an action, a reality, not only an intellectual entity.� I believe that Christ continues to “step and act in this world� through His priests.� CNH: What advice would you give to a man discerning a vocation to the priesthood? Father Kottar: For a man discerning the priesthood, I recommend prayer, the Holy Eucharist and frequent confession. Start praying the rosary and develop a relationship with the Blessed Mother. She told us to do that at Fatima. As Pope Francis recently said to seminarians, a strong relationship with Mary helps us have a strong relationship with the Church. Both are mothers. Speaking of Pope Francis and those great images in his homilies, I would encourage a young man to start reading the daily Mass homilies of Pope Francis. They are in summary form on the internet, and they are chock full of great lines and ideas that you can really sink your teeth into. One that stands out is that the priest must really know his people. He has to “smell like the sheep.� And a young man discerning should watch out for those “intellectual aristocrats.� The intellect is necessary, but study always lead to a deeper relationship with a person – the Divine Person – Jesus Christ.
WINSLOW: FROM PAGE 12B
important lessons you have learned over the past 15 years? Father Winslow: Administration is a headache, although necessary. With every decision someone or some group will be unhappy. Although the goal may be clear, the path to get there takes time. This applies not only to pastoring a parish, but also to one’s personal life. As a pastor, one is more readily persuaded by honesty and humility than by anger and gossip. CNH: What advice would you give to a man discerning a vocation to the priesthood? Father Winslow: Be honest. Seek first the will of God. Respond generously and courageously. Never lose sight of the fact that the faithful reasonably expect their priests to be men of God, and men of God are men of love. CNH: Do you have any special plans to celebrate your anniversary? Father Winslow: I will have dinner with my parents, apart from whom I cannot imagine my life or vocation. — SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
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Father Roberts: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The most profound thing is caring for the sick and the dyingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MONROE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; June 6 marked the fifth anniversary of ordination for Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe. He was ordained by Bishop Peter Jugis at St. Patrick Cathedral and his first assignment was at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro. Recently the Catholic News Herald asked Father Roberts to share some information on his ordination and reflections on his five years as a priest for the Diocese of Charlotte: CNH: What are some of your favorite assignments or what do you enjoy most about your priestly ministry? Father Roberts: It is so hard to pick a favorite or say that I enjoy something the most. I think the most profound thing has been caring for the sick and the dying â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sitting with, praying with, and giving consolation to a person who will soon see face to face Him whom I preach only in faith. Roberts
CNH: What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned over the past 5 years? Father Roberts: Pastoral availability means the availability of the pastor to Christ the High Priest. The more I surrender to Him, the more He will make me the shepherd He created me to be. CNH: What advice would you give to a man discerning a vocation to the priesthood? Father Roberts: Listen carefully. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; SueAnn Howell, senior reporter