7/29/2019 Year of Faith Companion 13-02-10

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Year Faith2012-2013

of10 February 2013

Created by Chris Carmody: jesusinsalem@yahoo.com and Stephanie Rangel: beverlyyouthministry@gmail.com

The redemptive sacrificeof Christ is unique,

accomplished once for allyet it is made present in

the Eucharistic sacrifice othe Church. The same is

true of the onepriesthood of Christ; it is

made present throughthe ministerial priesthoodwithout diminishing theuniqueness of Christ's

priesthoodCatechism 1545

CHALLENGE

This week pray for our menin the priesthood and for

those being called to serve.

Find time to offer

encouragement to our parishpriests and let them knowthat we appreciate their

sacrifice!

And men: if you feel thecall...answer it!

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." As he walked by theof Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for theyfishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their netsfollowed him. (Matthew 4:17-20)

Last week we spoke about answering the call to our vocation in life. Many of us will be called to marriage. In fact, Mof us are called to marriage. Yet in a very special way, there are man divinely chosen to serve as ministers to the faThis unique and incredibly necessary calling is referred to as priestly vocations or Holy Orders. Like Peter and Analong with the rest of the Apostles, Christ called them to serve His Church...and they literally dropped everything to dGod is standing right in front of you, you might be a bit more inclined to what he says.

In todays world its extremely counter cultural for a single, everyday, man to desire a life of poverty, chastityobedience. However, the Catholic priesthood is not all about what a man needs to give up but the things he receivegrace!

The priest is there at every pivotal moment in our lives. He is there when we get baptized, he is there at our wedand when were dying he is there to send us to the Father. In so many ways the priest is the mediator between us and Cand consequently, brings Christ to us through the sacraments. Without the institution of the priesthood, an extensiChrists power and authority here on earth, we wouldnt be able to receive

Holy Eucharist or experience the mercy of God through confession.If you stop to think about the Catholic Church and the way Christdesigned it, everything works in a system where the priest is acting in per-sona Christi, in the person of Christ. Jesus gave His people an extensionof Himself through the priesthood.

So why become a priest? As it is often said, because you have noth-ng to lose and everything to gain. You become fishers of men! Guiding,praying, serving, and leading people to Christ! The world needs real he-roes, real holy men of God who will stand up for whats true, good, andbeautiful. The vocation to the priesthood isnt some wacky call to put on avestment and start splashing people with holy water. It is a life that is sorich and full of love. A man becomes father to all, gaining the opportunityto effect change! You walk in the authority of Jesus and get to wash the

feet of His disciples. If you feel the call ANSWER IT! The Lord is askingyou to do something incredibly special.