Articles on Vocation and the Priesthood
A Priest's Story - 8
“Freedom literally comes from having our self-absorption challenged by the needs of others” Stanley Hauerwas.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen once wrote a book called: “The Priest Is Not His Own”
When I thought of priesthood, I didn’t want the thought, firstly, and the fulfilment of the thought some years later didn’t resemble in any way what I thought priesthood was all about. You might ask whether priesthood has been better or worse, but I would answer: neither, it has been different!
I came into priesthood in the 1960’s, when it was as normal as going to university or taking a career, (or a job as it was called then!). When vocations directors from other countries would visit my school, I had this hankering in my soul – “yes, be a priest!”. I didn’t know any priests personally, (I always kept a safe distance from my parish priest!), and I wasn’t an altar server but came from an ordinary Catholic family. This meant Mass on Sunday, and the odd Holy Hour, when I had to accompany my father (reluctantly I might add!).
I left school at 18, and got a job, thinking I’ll get this silly idea of a vocation out of my system, but I never did.
I was ordained on 12 June 1971, and have never looked back since. I could never have imagined the joys of priesthood and have never regretted the decision. I have experienced all the different aspects of priesthood - parish life, school, prison and hospital chaplaincies – all experiences which have been rewarding in so many different ways.
The trust, the care, concern and love of parishioners is so unbelievable. Be honest, be straight, be open and you will survive.
St Augustine said: “Make Humanity your way and you will arrive at God”
The joys, hopes, co-operation and honesty of people will always keep you close to God and humble also.
I am now back in St. Andrew’s Parish, Worswick St., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and resuming a particularly rewarding part of priesthood; being a hospital chaplain, with the bonus of also being a parish priest. There is nothing like parish life to keep your feet on the ground. You learn to take nothing for granted, because quite often there are as many views and opinions as there are parishioners.
“The priest is not an angel sent from heaven. He is a man, a member of the Church, a Christian. Remaining man and Christian he begins to speak to you the Word of God, This Word is not his own. No, he comes to you because God has told him to proclaim God’s Word. Perhaps he has not entirely understood it himself. Perhaps he adulterates it. Perhaps he falters and stammers. How else could one speak God’s Word, ordinary man that he is? But must not some one of us say something about God, about Eternal Life, about the majesty of Grace in our sanctified being; must not some one of us speak of sin, judgement and the mercy of God?”
Karl Rahner, S.J.