July 21, 2024

This weekend marks Conor McClure’s final weekend with us. I know, he just got here, but he will soon be starting back to seminary where he has four more years of study and then, God willing, will be ordained to the priesthood. I needed a lot of advice in my journey through seminary, and these early years of priesthood, and I have been thinking about the advice I should leave Conor. In considering what that should consist of, I also thought about sharing that advice with you all. What follows constitutes a ‘rule of life’ so to speak; a way of being in the world that denotes what I believe to be the most important aspects of life as a priest. I have picked up these words of advice as I’ve been guided through life by the Holy Spirit and I hope they edify you, and Conor, in ways beyond my understanding. Do I live by these words perfectly? No, I don’t, but I try to, and I trust the Holy Spirit will guide Conor through his vocation. 

– A priest can work too little, a priest can work too much, a priest can pray too little but a priest can never pray too much.

– Especially with Mass and times of prayer, try to be the first to arrive and the last to leave.

– Celebrate Mass every day, no exceptions. 

– Surround yourself with people who know what they are talking about, and rely on their advice. 

– You’re not a businessman, politician, or social worker, you are called to be a priest. Act like it. 

– The parish is not a venue, it’s a living, breathing community that has its own self-awareness. Respect it and they will respect you.

– Sacrifice is at the heart of the priesthood. Guide the people in understanding how their baptism made them priests of God’s Kingdom and help them to learn sacrifice.   

– They say men run the Church, get used to women telling you what to do. 

– The hardest thing about being a priest is most often other priests. There’s nothing you can do to fix it.

– Respect the bishop, your predecessor, and your successor. 

– Remember that it is Christ’s Church. He loves her and wants her to succeed more than you.

– At times you will feel unworthy of this life to which you’ve been called – remember that you are unworthy, it is Christ who makes you worthy. 

– No matter where you are assigned, remember that you are the pastor of a small outpost on the fringe of the Kingdom of God.  

– Keep the Eucharist as the center of your life, stay close to Mary, everything else will be taken care of.

– Be radically available to the people you are called to serve. It shouldn’t be a secret where you’re at.

– There will always be more to do than you have time for. Learn to trust. 

– Thank people as often and as sincerely as you can. 

– You’re always a priest, no matter where you are. Represent the Church well.

Two Parishes, One Heart,

Fr. Adam