Priests from throughout the Diocese gather in conversation before the ordination of Fr. Christopher Grief and Fr. Chris Kight at St. Thomas More, Paducah, on May 20, 2023. RILEY GREIF | WKC
The joys of the priesthood
Editor’s note: During a Presbyteral Day for the priests of the diocese, the Office of Communications invited the priests to share an experience from their everyday life that has brought them joy in their priesthood. In the days approaching Priesthood Sunday (Sept. 29), we posted excerpts from what they shared with us on the Office of Vocations’ social media. We’ve reprinted these reflections below.
Fr. Basilio Az Cuc
One Saturday morning, he trained 10 new altar servers for St. Thomas More Parish in Paducah. “I was so happy to see the excitement and the joy of the children – they are amazed with the Mass. Their joy gave me joy.”
Fr. Tom Buckman
He says it brings him “joy and delight to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.” He says “No doubt the Holy Spirit is alive and at work in the Church!”
Fr. Gary Clark
He is brought great joy in “praying Mass with the schoolchildren of St. Mary School System in Paducah.”
Fr. Ray Clark
He receives joy in “sharing God’s word in scripture, in various forms.”
Fr. Robert Drury
“In a three-month period, 11 young persons, 18 years old and younger, and a 40-year-old woman, came to me personally and asked for the Sacrament of Confirmation.” This has brought him incredible joy.
Fr. Steve Hohman
A favorite joy of his priesthood: After celebrating a Mass in Spanish for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, he was approached by some parents who asked to have their children confirmed. After “faithfully and enthusiastically” attending every Confirmation class and the Confirmation retreat, the young people were confirmed by Bishop Medley.
Fr. John Igacho
His joys include “celebrating the Eucharist” and helping people experience “liberation and healing” in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as hearing parishioners say “Your homily spoke to me – thank you.”
Fr. Carmelo Jimenez
A powerful memory of his priesthood was when a young girl with a disability who belongs to his parish was rushed to the hospital in Louisville after getting very sick. “I went to Louisville to anoint her.” The doctors said the girl would need to spend a week in the hospital, but the next day, the girl’s mother called Fr. Carmelo to say they were on their way back home, and that the girl was going to be ok.
Fr. David Kennedy
He experiences great joy when “driving to visit the sick to bring them Holy Communion… We are all friends in Jesus Christ, and preparing for Eternal Life with the Lord forever.”
Fr. Martin Ma Na Ling
“I knew that I wanted to be a priest at the age of seven years old… Whenever I visit the hospitals, the nursing homes, the homes of the elderly who need the sacraments, I feel the joy of the priesthood, the presence of God, the love of God and the powerful ministry of God. When I celebrate the Mass, as I hold the Body and Blood of Christ himself in my hands to give to the People of God, that makes me joyful.”
Fr. Richard Meredith
“It is a joy to hear confessions, to speak of Jesus’ practical grace and mercy, and to refresh hope, faith, and encouragement.”
Fr. Ken Mikulcik
“Having taken trips to Honduras as a seminarian and as a young priest and serving Honduran immigrants, has brought me a quiet joy each week when I am with them.”
Fr. Jegin Puthenpurackal
“A couple of people from my parishes on most Sundays come to me and say that my homily was getting into their hearts directly.” He has joy when he sees people “pay utmost attention during the Mass and take the Mass seriously.”
Fr. John Thomas
A recent joy of his priesthood: “I, not long ago, met a young man I baptized 30 years ago. It was beautiful when we realized we had already met.”
Fr. Will Thompson
“Helping people grow closer to Jesus Christ brings me great joy… As a priest, having the ability to witness Christ working in people’s lives brings me great joy!”
Fr. John Vaughan
“Not for the first time, but I was privileged to accompany a parishioner in the final days of his earthly journey. It was a joy to pray with him, to comfort him and to share the sacraments of the Church in his final days and hours.”
National Vocation Awareness Week, held this year from Nov. 3-9, is an annual celebration in the United States to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. Learn about vocational discernment in our diocese at owensborodiocese.org/vocations.
Originally printed in the November 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
