September, 2007

Priesthood is rooted in the incarnation of Christ, who willingly chose a simple and humble life for our sakes. The priesthood, rooted in the mission and ministry of Christ who ultimately gave his very life on the cross for us, must therefore begin with conforming ourselves with the grace of God to Christ. My life must revolve around my relationship to God and then serving others after the example of Christ.

Ordained on June 23rd of this year, I am a newly ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The mystery of the priesthood continues to unfold around me. This summer I am serving and ministering in Garrett County, the farthest west county in Maryland. The priesthood had been full of blessings and joys, as I celebrate the mass and sacraments for the people, as I visit the sick and homebound, as I become a member of this particular community sharing in the many experiences of life. In reflecting, I am truly grateful for all the seminary formation and preparation that has helped to shape me for the priesthood – though this is nothing compared to the grace of Christ who has called me to the priesthood and claimed me for his own.

My preparation for the priesthood goes back to High School, where I still remember the initial stirrings in my heart. While serving people in the Appalachian region on a workcamp, I remember journaling a desire to serve with my life. At that time, I thought romantically of missionary life. As high school came to a close, I entered into communication with the Vocation Director with the encouragement of priests and seminarians whom I knew.

The past ten years have been a blessing from God. While seminary life is never the end goal, the time given to prayer and formation changes us more than we can even know. Habits are being restructured, so that our priorities place God first – and our lives reflect that priority. Over the course of those years, I have had the privilege to know many great men, who desire to serve the Lord; some have become great priests, some are still on that journey, and others have left, realizing a different call. But, I truly believe everyone who has committed time and effort into formation in the seminary, have benefited from their time drawing closer to God through prayer, formation, and study. I am grateful for that time – and will continue to blog on memories and experiences from this crucial time in my life (when I was ordained, I had been a seminarian for over a third of my life).

This past week, I went to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in the Smokey Mountains with my family. This was my first experience on vacation as a priest. There is a great joy gathering with the family and offering mass with and for them. I am grateful for such a supportive family; who have encouraged me along this journey to the priesthood.

In October, I will return to the North American College where I have lived and studied for four years. Rome, the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, has unique blessings and struggles. As a priest, I will live in the seminary but have less “house” obligations and requirements. My official assignment is to study, to expand my mind and abilities for the sake of the people of Baltimore. I am studying spiritual theology at the Teresianum, a Carmelite University.

I look forward to blogging over the course of this year – keeping you up-to-date on my life as a newly ordained priest, on the events and life in Rome, on my studies in spiritual theology, and various other aspects of life. I certainly invite interaction.