July 17, 2009
I
must admit I was slightly confused when I first heard that Pope Benedict XVI had declared a “Year For Priests.” After all, we had just completed the “Year of St. Paul,” a year where we honored St. Paul, the “tireless convert, once a Church opponent, who became what some call ‘the second founder of Christianity,’ after Christ himself.” They didn’t appear to be, at first, at the same level of importance. A priest and St. Paul? No contest. At least, that’s what first came to mind. In recent weeks, however, a number of situations and events have caused me to reconsider my somewhat limited perceptions. I had lunch with a priest friend last week. He’s a young man that I’ve known (or at least known of) since he was a teen-ager. (Boy does that make me feel old.) I recently realized how little I knew of his life and journey toward his priestly vocation. Our paths have crossed so many times during these years but I don’t think I ever knew much about him. I took advantage of his service over the years but never took the time to get to know him. I had the opportunity to learn of his path toward priesthood that day, and asked him about it. I learned about his teenage years, the call, his discernment and his answer to that call resulting in the beginning of study for the priesthood and ultimately his ordination. He is a clear example of a man living a priestly life in the real world today. He has the ability to challenge us toward spiritual greatness but is adaptable enough to work within the real world realizing that all of us are at different places in our secular and spiritual lives.
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The Anchor
Let’s let them know they’re appreciated
That luncheon followed closely and every day. In their lives, they are called to be cheerleadmy week at the Christian Leaderers, leaders, spiritual directors, ship Institute at Cathedral Camp. celebrants of the sacraments, Once again, I had the privilege of sons and friends. They are priests directing the week along with a 24/7. It isn’t something you just team of 10 adults and 35 teenturn off. When I leave work each agers from around the diocese. Two of my team members were priests who served not only as team group leaders, but as spiritual directors. One of the priests was a graduate of CLI back in 1990. Spending By Frank Lucca that time at Cathedral Camp, I had an opportunity to view these priests in total ministry. These day, I’m not likely to be looked men are such models of Christ’s at by others as a vice president of love and call to service. They a trade association. Our priests, were not only able, of course, to however, live a life of complete celebrate jubilant liturgies and prayer services but they also acted dedication and service. They live in the world but need to be other as teachers and mentors to the worldly. They give up what some candidates. They mentored the of us would consider a great life of team and me. We prayed early work, family, money and success. morning lauds together. At one How difficult this seems to most of moment, they were leading their teams through the obstacle course us. Others might think that a priest has it made. No worries. But just with great exuberance, and at the imagine what a day must be like next moment they were celebrating Mass. Without missing a beat, responding to the needs of so many different people with so many they moved from hour to hour, different needs and add to that the day to day, as a model of what it financial and structural issues of means to be a priest. It was also the parish that face them every day. with great joy that I saw so many And in most parishes they do it pastors at the closing — supporting the young people they had sent alone. Yet, they do it. They do it for for training. The adults and young Christ and they do it for us. Take a moment to think about people of CLI were truly blessed priests in your life. I recall growing to have all of these men with us last week. I’m sure none of us will up with priests as family friends. I observed these men as parish ever forget their dedication, their priests, like my first pastor, who homilies, their adaptability and their love. They are true examples reminded me of a quintessential Irish priest that was so much a part of Christ in action for all of us. of my young faith development. I It struck me that their parwas lucky enough to have priests ticipation in CLI served as an as teachers during my 18 years of microcosm of what they do each
Be Not Afraid
ONE FINAL PHOTO — The Class of 2009 of St. Joseph-St. Therese School in New Bedford, pose on the front stairs of the church with their pastor, Father Philip N. Hamel; Principal Sherri Swainamer, second row, far left; and members of the school faculty following its recent graduation.
Catholic education. I’ve been fortunate to work with priests such as the spiritual directors in the YES! Retreat program and in the Cursillo movement. I so appreciate the training of the original CLI director, a priest who I always considered a friend and mentor. I have learned so much from these men who have served on the various teams over the years. I have had the privilege of seeing my pastor help heal a parish that was hurt and a previous pastor who was such a good friend to our family and who deeply influenced the spiritual life of my two daughters — especially during the years they served at the altar. I will never forget one priest who was there for me when I felt so low and abandoned during my first years working in ministry to youth. He prayed with me and for me. His words healed me. I still remember and reflect on his words that day. Now that I have taken the time to think about it, my life has been enriched and guided by these men of God. Every one of them have had an effect on my life and if you think about it, most likely yours too. I’m glad the pope has called us
to think about what I’ve taken for granted for so long. These thousands of men walk the same path for the same purpose as St. Paul. It is fitting, therefore, to spend a year considering their roles in our lives. As the number of men called to the priesthood vocation continues to drop, it may not be long before our parishes may not have these men in our midst. Do we have to wait until they are gone from us to realize how important they are in our lives? Young men, if called, I pray and hope you will consider a vocation. I hope the rest of us will encourage and pray for vocations. In the meantime, let your priest know how much you appreciate his vocation. Ask your parish priest what you can do to help. Let’s especially take this year of priests to be grateful to God for their service on our behalf and let’s let them know we appreciate their service. Thank you to the priests in my life. You know who you are. Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chair and director of the YES! Retreat and director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters.
The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools or parish Religious Education programs have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@ anchornews.org