April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY
'Five and under' group supports new priests
In the Albany Diocese, priests with fewer than five years of experience meet in a group five times a year.
The "Five and Under" group, along with bimonthly meetings with personal mentors, became a requirement for rookie priests in the early 2000s. Priests at all levels of experience also meet for workshops throughout the year.
"It's been a great experience," said Rev. James Ebert, pastor of Holy Trinity parish in Cohoes. One of 10 men in the group, he was ordained in 2009 and served at St. Mary's parish in Ballston Spa before being named a pastor in March.
"Not every diocese does a group like this," Father Ebert said. "Our lives get kind of hectic. It's nice to sit with each other."
Early priesthood is especially complex today. A vocations shortage has compelled many dioceses to lower the amount of parish experience necessary before a priest can become a pastor; the sexual abuse crisis also weighs on priests.
Seminarians today study and graduate with far fewer classmates than did past generations - and few from their own dioceses, noted Rev. Tony Kall, OFM Conv., the support group's mentor.
Many new priests maintain friendships forged in the seminary, he said, but don't often have the opportunity to meet face-to-face.
"The fraternity is important," Father Ebert said. "As our numbers in the priesthood dwindle, it's good to have a group to share your life with."
Meeting with veteran priests is also beneficial, but it's important to gather with colleagues "going through the same experiences at the same time," said Rev. Michael Cambi, pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Stamford and coordinator of the group.
"People might be surprised at the humanity of all of us - that we're not always sure of ourselves," said Father Cambi, who was ordained in 2007.
Three of the five annual meetings are overnight retreats featuring speakers on subjects like parish management, marriage preparation, youth ministry, ministry to gays and lesbians, the relationship between associate pastors and pastors, and the relationship between sacramental ministers and parish life directors. Bishop Howard J. Hubbard attends the last meeting of the year.
Many meetings start with "checking in" about parish life and ministry. Topics range from keeping up with prayers and making sure to take a day off each week to preaching effectively.
Rev. David Hammond, associate pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Schenectady, often seeks advice about time management and health. During his first year of ministry, he once filled an entire three-day weekend with wakes, funerals and Masses.
"You can get things that just come back-to-back like that," said Father Hammond, who nevertheless tries to visit his family in West Winfield weekly. "We're in a very life-giving ministry."
"If you're going to be of any value to the Church, you need to be healthy," noted Father Cambi, who exercises six days a week and tries to take a regular day off.
The topic of sacrifice arises often in the group.
"When you're ordained a priest, you really become a public person," Father Hammond explained. "People look to you to speak for the Church. You're totally accessible. That's an adjustment, as well. In many ways, we give up private lives."
The men also support each other in celibacy.
"Celibacy is part and parcel with talking about the rest of our lives," Father Hammond said. "A lot of the time, it's seen as a negative reality, but it's really a positive way of living and loving."
Funerals are often a source of fear for new priests. Father Hammond still finds them challenging but rewarding: "Your adrenaline is flowing, but it's at those times you see God working through you the most - even if you feel totally inadequate."
For Rev. Rendell Torres, associate pastor at Holy Spirit parish in Gloversville, homily preparation and the repercussions of a homily are challenging.
"I try to pray about what the Lord wants me to say and I bring my prayer to Him and to His mother," he told The Evangelist. "Some people are happy to hear it. And some people - for them, it may not be a good time."
The group reminds him not to fixate on negative responses.
"We can see that we're not alone when we make mistakes," Father Torres said. "If a guy feels like he's had some kind of misunderstanding in the parish, he can bring it [to the group]. It's kind of like a family in a way. And we pray together, too."
Father Ebert compares the men to his brothers and plans to still socialize with them even when his five years are up. He said it's also important to "make sure you have people around you in the parish who have gifts and talents to share. I don't have all the answers. I think that's key today in the 21st-century parish."
Father Hammond misses the Five and Under group during its summer hiatuses. He'll also miss it in 2013, when he plans to join the Navy as a chaplain.
"The group works," he said, "because we're all committed to persevering in our mission. It's that commitment that makes our time together fruitful and refreshing."[[In-content Ad]]
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