THE OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION SOUTH EAST UK

Simple Priesthood by Fr Sean Connolly Biretta tip to Br Anthony TOS *{];~)

Father Sean Connolly is a priest of the Diocese of East Anglia. He studied dogmatic theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome where he obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. His first book, The Road to Holiness, was published by ST PAULS Publishing in the United Kingdom. Alba House is pleased to introduce him for the first time to an American audience.

What does it mean to be a Catholic priest working in a parish today? Sean Connolly, a young priest, reflects with great honesty on his vocation, the shock of being catapulted into parish life as a curate, and how he has coped with the demands and expectations on him. He is revealing about the workload and the strain of living a celibate life. In the second part, three priests and one deacon - John Udris, Ian Dalgleish, Paul McDermott, and Michael Griffin -reflect on what "being a priest" means to them. While remaining positive, they do not shrink from some radical suggestions for improvements including: support structures for priests, continuous education and monitoring of priests, more teams of priests and better collaboration with the laity, proper financial planning for pensions, a return to simplicity, and a recognition of stress and burnout among the clergy. A great book that could be used in every day life. Priests, and those considering the priesthood, will find this book a valuable insight into this a most wonderful calling.

Reflection; There is no way priestly training can anticipate every possible situation. A step from seminary to pastoral ministry is a large one.

There are several immediate hurdles we need to be aware of: getting to know your flock, them getting to know you, being put on a pedestal because you are a priest, learning the job from scratch, hearing confessions, confronting death, school ministry, and spotting dangerous situations. Confessions practice has to be learned in the confessional, on the job training.

The priesthood is a ever growing need to learn through on the job practices, these things you don't learn in the seminary.

All vocations are the results of free human co-operation with the gratuitious intervention of divine grace. God is truly a father who with an eternal and preeminent love calls human beings and opens up with them a marvelous and permanent dialogue.

The priestly vocation; 1. To preach the gospel, to celebrate the sacraments, in particular the Mass, and to enable the people of God to realize or I should say to shepherd them towards there own priestly dignity.

1a. Be a shepherd and lead the flock to their own priestly dignity, though all the tools put before us as priests.

The specific issue to be examined is the mechanism of priestly vocation;

2. How do I know I am called?

2a. every priest receives his vocation from our Lord though the Church. It's the Bishops' job "to recognize it." God calls us to serve through the community, then the community has a duty to foster vocations and to support and accompany those in the process of discernment. Lets be clear, "You don't choose God, He chooses you!"

3. another issue to consider is the effect of priestly vocation; my response to the call of God to the presbyter services, what happens to me? Am I on the path to conversion?

3a. In Baptism we have "put on Christ" and are called to share in his priestly, prophetic, and Kingly mission. Those in Holy Orders, however, the sharing takes on a new dimension. We have accepted a public role. In other words we are to become a living sacrament.

Conversion is the call within every calling and a touch stone of every true vocation. I think that the most persuasive proof of any authentic call of God lies in the conversion it always calls forth. Conversion is the corner stone of every calling, and it is always ultimately toward love. It's the life-task and eternal destiny of each one of us.

You are a priest forever. Christ's priestly mission doesn't come and go and neither does our participation in it through the sacrament of initiation and ordination. Thus the Church puts a, character being imprinted upon our souls in the sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. We are being recreated. This stamp or character can't be repeated and is permanently fixed.

To all thinking about entering the priesthood, including myself, this is a big thing to meditate on, you are putting on Christ and it can't be removed from your soul, this is not a game, "you are a priest forever." This is no small thing.

Simplicity above all, and to all things. Not over done, but done with common sense and with taste. Again we hear Christ's words in Matt. 17-21.

I am I on the path to conversion? Conversion is the call within every calling and a touchstone of every true vocation. I think that the most persuasive proof of any authentic call of God lies in the conversion, it always calls forth. Conversion is the corner stone of every calling, and it is the life?s task and eternal destiny of each of us.

The bottom line is; manager the simplicity of your own life, faith, stress, duties, free time, your prayer life and on going education. If you do this and share the load you may not burn out.

Reviews

"Intimate portrait: Written by a young priest a few years into his ministry, Simple Priesthood is an honest, critical look at what life is like in the first few years of parish life. Author Fr. Sean Connolly discusses what his transition from seminary to parish ministry was like, how he deals with the myriad things calling for his attention, and how he deals with the other priests with whom he lives. He splits the parts of his journal into separate subsections and explores each individually: Reality Bites; Vocation; Relationship; Prayer and Praise; Demands and Expectations; Institutions and Structures; Celibacy and Sexuality; Caricatures; Simplicity. Fresh and clearly written, the book offers his deep and humorous insights into ministry, parishioners, and life in the rectory from the associate's point of view. Priests and seminarians will nod their heads and lay people will get an interesting insight into the calling. In the second part of the book, three priests and a deacon who is ready to be ordained discuss different aspects of priestly life: Conversion - The Call within a Calling; Assessing the Task Ahead; Taking Up the Challenge; Ministering to the Ministers." --Crux of the News, July 8, 2002

"This is a very readable book about the life and thoughts of a young priest in parish life in England. The author uses many practical episodes from his early priesthood to give a very realistic picture of both the adventures and the humdrum elements of a priest's life. Father Connolly has studied the documents of the church and works them into his reflections. This book would be excellent reading for someone who wants to taste the life of the priesthood and reflect on whether it appeals to them. Vocation directors and seminary libraries will find a place for this book. Even though it is written in a British context, the universality of the parish priest shines through." --Timothy Gollob in Ministry & Liturgy, August 2001

"Contemporary reflections on vocation: The framework for a new book written by priests engaged in parish work in England -- a collection of "practical and theological reflections grounded in pastoral experience" of confreres. Title: Simple Priesthood by Fr. Sean Connolly; with Foreword by Fr. David Sanders, O.P. Part One is made up of 9 chapters by Fr. Connolly, examining his experience, reflections, and challenges as a young priest. Part Two offers 4 chapters, one each by 3 priests and a transitional deacon to be ordained in the Spring of 2001. Chapters include 'Conversion, Call with a Calling... Taking Up the Challenge... Ministering to the Ministers.' Fr. Connolly writes of equally practical subject matter, and does so with conviction and clear conversational language. Some topics: 'Vocation... Demands and Expectations... Caricatures... Celibacy and Sexuality.' Consistent thread in the writings of all 5 -- the reality of faith and vocations lived out, day by day." --Crux of the News, April 16, 2001