And
miles to go
by Bishop John C. Nienstedt
If you had fifteen minutes to
speak to our Holy Father alone, what would you say? That was the question I had
to wrestle with for several weeks before my encounter with him on December 9 at
the
I finally decided I would
tell the Pope about our Catholic youth in the Diocese of New Ulm, who are the
hope for our future. So I explained to him about the Junior and Senior High
Rallies that we hold annually with anywhere from 600 to 800 youth present. I also
told him about the wonderful representation we have had at the National
Catholic Youth Conferences, as well as at the World Youth Day. I shared with
him the enthusiastic guidance that is provided by our Diocesan Youth Council. I
also told the Holy Father about the teaching that I have done in our
Finally, I shared with the
Pope the number one priority that we have in the Diocese for priestly and
religious vocations. I pointed out the direct connection between providing a
solid catechetical basis as well as lively opportunities for participation in
the Church as the basis upon which a priestly or religious vocation might
flourish.
In regard to the latter,
January has traditionally been a month for emphasizing the need to encourage
young men and women to consider a call to serve the Church as a priests, a
religious brother or sister. In speaking to youth about a priestly or religious
vocation, I have been startled that some tell me they do not feel worthy to
aspire to such a life. My response is to say that no one is actually worthy and
that I have never considered myself worthy of so great a privilege. But it is
God who calls and God who sustains us in the call. (This is part of the
“Incarnational” theology I spoke about last month.) Sometimes I have surprised
myself by the advice I’ve given in the Sacrament of Penance. Obviously, as the
confessor, I did not have time to rehearse what I was going to say, yet the
advice given did address the need of the moment. In those situations, I knew
that Jesus was with me and acting through me. It is the only feasible
explanation.
Another fear of young people
concerns living a celibate life. Here it is important to point out that priests
and religious have to be great lovers! I do not mean this in the physical or
romantic sense, but in the more profound capacity of spending one’s life for
the spiritual good of others.
This is why, in her wisdom,
the Church has come to appreciate that priests ought to be celibate lovers who
can love with an undivided love, that is to say, a love of Jesus that spills
over in a deep love for his people, especially the poor, the sick, the stranger
or the neglected. The priest foregoes the natural goods of wife and family so
as to be free to love all those who need him at whatever time or circumstance
that need arises. There he is present with his undivided attention and focused
concern to offer them the compassion, forgiveness and love of Jesus, our great
High Priest.
The secular world doesn’t
understand this notion because its proponents ask, “What’s in it for me?” which
fundamentally betrays the kind of love with which Jesus loves us. (The evil of
contraception is a point in case.) The power of the Cross is found in its
self-sacrifice, a total gift of life poured out for the beloved. Such a love
would be nearly impossible to attain were it not that Jesus continues to offer
his love today through his Body, the Church. Thus is our human love infused
with the divine. I am convinced that I have only weathered the challenges,
disappointments and frustrations in my priestly service because of God’s
generous love.
Finally, another big obstacle
to sacramental vocations (I include marriage here) is the fear of commitment.
How can I be a priest for the rest of my life? How can a husband live with the
same wife for sixty or more years? Well, I think the answer lies in being
attentive to details of one’s commitment after it is made. St. Theresa of the
Child Jesus developed her spirituality of the “Little Way” in this regard. She
sought at every moment to put as much love in whatever she was doing as she
possibly could. One example: a spiritual director once suggested that I say a
short prayer after every phone conversation I finish. Often that’s the last
thing I want to do, but it does bring a new focus to that moment. By paying
attention to the details of my priestly work, big or small, I renew the passion
behind my previous commitment.
As we begin a New Year, I
believe there are a number of practical ways I can offer you to join me in
encouraging the priestly and religious vocations we need here in our local
Church:
1) Serra Club - Some 20-40
people gather in Sleepy Eye each month to pray for vocations and discuss ways
to encourage vocations. If Sleepy Eye is too far, consider beginning a new club
at your parish.
2) Ann and Joachim Society:
For the homebound or elderly who have the time and willingness to pray for
priestly and religious vocations, this society is especially appropriate for
grandparents in their role of encouraging spiritual growth.
3) Operation Andrew dinners:
Regional gatherings each year with the bishop where pastoral leaders bring
youth to talk about the priesthood. A video is shown after the meal and
materials are distributed. More than 120 young men have participated in the
past two years.
4) Diocesan prayer card: I
wrote this prayer upon my arrival to the Diocese. Cards are available at the
Diocese. Put one next to your bed and say it each morning or evening.
5) Vocation Fairs: There are
3-5 scheduled each year for high school religious education students. Call our
Vocation Office (507-359-2966) for the schedule and ask how you can help out.
6) Friday fast: At my
installation, I asked all Catholics to abstain from meat on Friday for
vocations. I’ve done so for three plus years. Others tell me they have been
faithful to this practice as well. It does make a difference!
7) Diocesan Seminary
Collection: Each parish will take up a collection on one of the weekends in
January. Past collections have been poor. The need continues to be great.
All of the above are
specific, practical avenues for your involvement. I ask you to reflect on this
invitation, choose the project that seems best suited and join in the efforts
of our Vocation Team. If you need assistance, please call Father Todd Petersen
(507) 227-2657 or Sister Margaret McHugh (507) 233-5327 at the
God bless you for your
efforts!
January, 2005
Falta
Mucho por Recorrer
Por el obispo John C.
Nienstedt
En esta edición escribo sobre
vocaciones porque al empezar el Año Nuevo, yo creo que hay maneras prácticas
que les puedo ofrecer para que me acompañen a fomentar por vocaciones al
sacerdocio y a la vida religiosa ya que hay una necesidad aquí en nuestra
Iglesia local.
1) Serra Club: de 20 a 40
personas se reunen cada mes en Sleepy Eye para rezar por vocaciones y dialogar
sobre las formas como fomentar vocaciones. Si usted cree que Sleepy Eye le es
muy lejos, entonces considere crear un club nuevo en su parroquia.
2) Ann y Joachim Society:
para las personas que por algun motivo no pueden salir de sus casas o para
ancianos que tienen tiempo y la buena voluntad para rezar por vocaciones al
sacerdocio y a la vida religiosa. Esta sociedad es adecuado especialmente para
los abuelos en alentar el crecimiento espiritual.
3) Cenas "Operación
Andrés": Cada año el Obispo conduce reuniones regionales donde líderes
pastorales traen jóvenes para hablar sobre el sacerdocio. Después de la cena se
muestra un video y se distribuye materiales. Más de 120 jóvenes han participado
en estos dos últimos años.
4) Postal "Oración
Diocesana": Cuando llegué a la Diócesis escribí esa oración. Para adquirir
postales llame a la diócesis. Ponga una postal al lado de su cama y reze cada
mañana o por la noche.
5) Ferias por Vocaciones:
Cada año programamos de 3 a 5 ferias para estudiantes de educación religiosa en
secundaria. Si necesita el horario, llame a nuestra oficina de vocaciones al
507-359-2966 y pregunte cómo podría ayudar.
6) Viernes de ayuno: El día
de mi instalación, pedí a todos los católicos abstenerse de comer carne los
viernes, por vocaciones. Lo he hecho por más de tres años. Otros me han dicho
que han sido fieles a esta práctica.
7) Colecta para el Seminario
Diocesano: Cada año las parroquias harán una colecta el ultimo fin de semana en
enero. Las colectas que se han hecho
años anteriores han sido bajos. La necesidad continua siendo grande.
Todos los puntos escritos son
específicos y maneras practicas para su participación. Pido que reflexione en
esta invitación, escoja el proyecto que usted crea el más indicado para usted y
acompañenos en los esfuerzos con nuestro equipo vocacional. Si necesita
asistencia, por favor llame al Padre Todd Petersen al 507-227-2657 o a la Hna.
Margaret McHugh al 507-233-5327 en el Centro Pastoral Diocesano. Debemos estar
convencidos que Dios provee a su Iglesia y por lo tanto el llamado está allí.
Nuestra tarea es asegurarnos que la atmosfera este claro para poder oír el
llamado.
¡Que Dios los bendiga por
todo sus esfuerzos!
January, 2005