Eastern Oklahoma Catholic June 2012 : Page 13
YOUR In what ways has your seminary for-mation prepared you for the priest-hood? How have you grown through this process? Seminary formation is based on the four pillars of human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral development, which are explained in Pope John Paul II’s exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis (“I will give you shepherds”). While they are all important and inter-related, my spiritual growth has been the most evident to me. In my specialization in spiritual the-ology at the Angelicum Uni-versity, I had the opportunity to study the history and de-velopment of Christian prayer and the lives of the saints as they relate to and synthesize dogmatic and moral theology. This coursework, in addition to the communal prayer in the seminary, small prayer groups and the guide of a good spiri-tual director, all contributed to my spiritual growth and strengthened relationship with the Holy Trinity and the Holy Family. What personal character-istics and traits do you be-lieve are necessary for the priesthood? The diocesan priesthood has a great emphasis on sacra-mental service, as opposed to a life dedicated to contem-plative intercessory prayer, or teaching or material ser-vice to the poor or ill. How-ever, the diocesan priesthood also incorporates these elements to a lesser degree. So, diocesan priesthood primarily requires the desire to work in the world in a sacramental way. What spiritual disciplines do you be-lieve will be most helpful for you in your ministry? In addition to faithfully celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours with the parish community, devotions such as eucharistic adoration, the rosary and continued spiritual reading will be very helpful. How do you plan to continue your theological formation once you enter parish ministry? I have been collecting course notes and bibliographies from the other theological specializations so that I can continue to study topics outside of my degree. Prepar-ing homilies also will be good opportuni-ties for further theological study. I also plan on attending theological conferences and workshops when those are available. STORIES cover story readings, prayers and sacramental prepara-tions, like the Midwest Theological Forum’s Daily Roman Missal 3rd Edition. As you prepare for ordination, what do you think will be the most chal-lenging aspect of being a priest? I think focusing on being a priest, rather than viewing success as a list of accomplishments, as if those actions were my own work. What do you hope to em-phasize in your ministry? I’d like to focus on union with Christ through the sacraments of His Church, especially con-fession and holy Communion. Union with Christ is our goal in this life and in the next. What are some of the most pressing challenges for the Church right now? I think that courageously speaking the truth in charity in the public forum during this election year is a current chal-lenge for the Church, especial-ly for the laity whose proper domain is the public sphere. On the 20th anniversary of your ordination, how do you hope the faithful will describe your ministry? I hope people will describe my ministry as one of joyful service to Christ and them. What advice would you have for young people who might be consider-ing holy orders? For all young people discerning their voca-tions, regardless of what God is calling them to be: Live the 5 precepts of the Church ( Catechism #2041-2043) ; attend daily Mass and frequent confession with a regular confes-sor as a spiritual director; go to eucharistic adoration; start praying Night Prayer “Com-pline” (free on ibreviary.com); and really keep Sunday as a day of prayer, like a mini-retreat, centered around the liturgy. I also recommend getting a Missal that has all the What is your favorite Scripture and how has it inspired you? “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1) It summarizes what St. Ignatius of Loyola later prayed in the Suscipe : “You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it.” This notion of complete sacrifice is based on Holy Scripture and the Offertory Prayers at Mass. It is the call of Chris-tian discipleship and joyful union with Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Essentially it is an expression of lifelong gratitude. 13
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