Priests share rewards, value of vocations

Asked what they treasure most about their lives as priests or why they would recommend that vocation to others, the jubilarians told The Evangelist about the joy and fulfillment they have experienced over the course of decades.

For example, Rev. R. Mansfield Starks became a priest just after the U.S. entered World War II. "After 60 years," he said, "the joy and enthusiasm of celebrating Mass is just as much a thrill as it was the first day."

A priest for 50 years, Rev. George St. John remarked that "I have enjoyed each of my assignments. Hopefully, those with whom I have been associated and to whom I ministered did as well."

Rev. Christopher DeGiovine recalled hearing another priest say that "all that has come to him has came not because of any particular personal gifts or talents necessarily, but because he was called and chosen as a priest. That has been my experience as well. For all those people and experiences in which I have been invited into the inner spiritual journeys of others -- their joys, hopes and fears -- I am forever and profoundly grateful to God."

That sense of gratitude was echoed by another priest, Rev. Leo Markert, who said: "I thank God daily for the priesthood. There has never been one day in these 40 years that I wished I were never ordained. It's been fulfilling, exciting, challenging and rewarding. If God is inviting you, jump at the call and answer, 'Here I am, Lord, to do your will.'"

Rev. Thomas Powers explained that "there is no aspect of life that cannot be touched and entered into because of the all-encompassing gift of ministry." That notion was seconded by Rev. John Rooney, who noted: "The call to priesthood has always to me been a gift. My daily prayer is thanksgiving that God has given me this great gift. I would do it all over again. I don't regret a day of it."

A half-century ago, said Rev. John Weyand, he and a classmate agreed during Career Day at their school on two criteria for a good job: "working where the doors are not locked and working overtime without extra pay. Not only has this been lived out in the priesthood, but the big surprise is that each year has been more interesting and meaningful than the last. With few exceptions, the priesthood is mountain-climbing to a more pleasant view and fuller life."

Rev. Sean McMahon ticks off the pluses of being a priest: "celebrating the sacraments...helping people...meeting many very good, kind people of all ages....I would recommend it to other men because it helps save souls."

When he was a boy, Rev. Francis O'Connor served Mass for Bishop Edmund Gibbons and was inspired to become a priest. "His motto as bishop was 'That all may be one,'" the priest recalled. "Those words are inscribed on the base of my chalice. That motto has been an inspiration for me throughout my priesthood.

"The other words that have inspired me are from Jesus: 'He has sent me to preach Good News to the poor.' One of my most joyful experiences has been to celebrate Mass with all the guests at St. Charles Lwanga Center [a homeless shelter] and to dine with them. The opportunity to express God's forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation has been an extraordinary grace for me. I am so grateful for my many years at St. Patrick's [parish in Albany], to have shared in the life of the Hispanic community and in the ministry of reconciliation among the races."

Rev. Charles Gaffigan takes up that theme by noting: "If one really wants to make a difference in the lives of people in this world and in the world to come, I would highly recommend being a priest."

To keep his spirits up over the course of 40 years, Father Gaffigan has kept a Happy Memory File "because I found myself dwelling too much on the negative. It is filled with messages of people who have been touched by God's grace working through the ministry of priesthood. Now and then, I go to it to remind myself that the blessings of being a priest far outnumber the inevitable disappointments."

Rev. Terence Healy said, "I love working for the Church in doing God's work. I would recommend it to others." So would Rev. Daniel Maher, who calls the priesthood "a joy and a source of great grace for me throughout the last 40 years. Certainly, the life of a priest has its ups and downs, its successes and failures, its joys and sorrows. The grace of God, the fraternity of brother priests, and the support and prayers of friends and parishioners have sustained and strengthened me over the years. I thank them all. May many more young men and women answer the call to serve God's people in the priesthood, religious life and lay ministry."

(05-09-02) [[In-content Ad]]