My Joy of Priesthood
by Father Dariusz Kalinowski

The Christmas season we have just completed is a good time to reflect on vocations, to reflect on my own vocation, the vocation of priesthood which I have been privileged to share for the last seven years. The Christmas season by its very nature and its celebration is a wonderful time for reflection. As we come to church, we reflect on the mystery of God’s becoming man; God’s dwelling in our hearts every day, and how we respond to this unity of divinity and humanity. As we put up Christmas decorations and search for gifts for those we love, we have a chance to reflect on the gift of family: the gift of one’s spouse, children, relatives, friends and neighbors. This time fills us with joy that should be in our hearts all year long: "Joy to the world! The Lord is come." It is with this joy in my heart that I reflect on my vocation. It is this joy, the joy of the Living God dwelling within me, that I want to share with you.

Words cannot describe this, and there is no greater thrill than each time I celebrate Eucharist, when just before I say the words of consecration, I take a few seconds of silence to absorb what is about to happen. Bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ; the heavens are joined with earth and God accomplishes this through me, a mere human being, a sinner. And it happens so other people may share in this precious gift. Can you imagine the joy of being a tool in God’s hands to accomplish that? Serving God and his people in this way is simply overwhelming and my heart is not always ready to receive this joy. But even if I don’t feel it, I understand it as much as human mind can understand God. What happens at the Eucharist is a mystery, and so is priesthood and any state of life in which we choose to dedicate ourselves to the Lord.

This time of the year is somewhat challenging for me personally, being away from my family for Christmas and missing different traditions. But this is precisely what helps me to be aware more and more of another mystery of priesthood: the people of the community I serve are my family. Through this challenge and blessing the words of Jesus: "Who are my mother, my brothers and my sisters?" become very real in my life. I don’t know how many people in the congregation truly realize that they are my family. But this is an amazing way for me to feel the unity we all share through our baptism, the unity we experience in the Eucharist and other sacraments. So any time I am with my family, the people of my parish, I try to do my best to be present to them, to assist them in their needs. Every day there are many ways in which I experience joy while ministering to my people. Celebrating Mass at nursing homes and sharing lunch with our seniors. Teaching faith formation and talking to children in our Religious Education program. Going on little pilgrimages with our Vocation and Divine Mercy groups. Coming in prayer with a group of people. Training new altar servers. What a great joy!

In my own spirituality, at least once in a while I need to step aside, take a break and look at priesthood from a bit different angle. If I have a chance, I like to participate in the Mass with the congregation when I don’t have to officiate. It is beautiful these days to see lay people in charge of different groups in the parish and leading prayers. People who are not afraid to be deeply involved in the life of their parish are a true inspiration to me.

Being raised on a farm and used to hard physical labor, it is still a challenge for me to adjust to a different style of life. Sometimes, when I have a chance, I try to compensate for it. On my days off I have tried deep sea fishing and construction work. Once a week I volunteer to teach Aikido, a martial art promoting harmony and peace. Kayaking, hiking, fishing; all these might seem to be different ways of spending my free time but they are also an essential part of my vocation.

On January 7 we celebrated the Epiphany of the Lord. The image of the three kings following the light of the star is truly inspiring. As we live out our faith to the best of our abilities, we all follow a bright light, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish so many wonderful things and experience all this joy, if not for God’s calling me to be a priest; if not for Jesus Christ’s giving me strength every day to continue in my ministry; if not for the Holy Spirit’s guiding me and every so often surprising me with his wisdom.

Perhaps you don’t often see joy expressed on my face because I am a quiet and serious man, but if you only knew the joy in my heart you would rejoice too. Please pray for your priests and remember that we are your family.

This article appeared in the January 12, 2007 edition of The Anchor.