Touching hearts and souls
It seems strange to me that 30 years have gone by since my ordination in 1992. As I reflect back over that time, I can honestly say that the one word that comes to mind is gratitude. God can never be outdone in generosity. And even though there have certainly been struggles and difficulties along the way, all – in one way or another – have been a blessing.
When I was in the seminary, an elderly priest told me “never underestimate how much impact you can have on multiple lives during the course of your priestly ministry.” He also noted my impact could be for good or ill, “so always keep that in mind.” I’ve never forgotten that.
Whether preaching, celebrating Holy Mass, hearing confessions, anointing the sick, praying with the dying or celebrating marriages and ordinations, each and every one of these is a brief point through which God can touch hearts and souls through the imperfect ministry of His priests. When you think about it, it is really amazing.
One of the special joys I have had over the years has been working with vocations, in one way or another. I’ve served on the diocese’s Vocations Board for many years now, and I have always seen the promotion of priestly and religious vocations as a joyful responsibility.
When I was ordained, the attitude often voiced was that God wasn’t really calling many folks. There was a shortage, and that required new ideas and new approaches.
I didn’t buy that thinking then, and I certainly don’t now. God has been, is now and will be calling people to serve Him in consecrated service.
As a priest my task is to allow the Holy Spirit to work, show the joy that comes in this life, and then offer whatever help I can to nurture a vocation in someone else.
As the famed 19th-century French preacher Father Henri-Dominique Lacordaire opined, “My God, what a life; and it is yours, O priest of Jesus Christ.”
I give thanks for each of the past 30 years and pray the Lord will give me a few more to love and serve Him and His holy people.
Father John Putnam is the pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville. He also serves as the judicial vicar for the diocese, overseeing the Tribunal. He celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination on May 30.