Reflection on Priesthood
by Father Jeffrey Cabral

Every person—every man and woman—is called by God for a particular purpose, for a specific vocation within their life. God calls all of us to lead a holy and faithful life, but He may call some of us to find that holiness as a priest or as a religious brother or sister. In my case, as I was growing up, God was inviting me to consider the priesthood.

I grew up in Dartmouth, attending Sunday Mass at St. Julie Billiart Parish. When I was in high school I became more active and involved in parish life, as I joined the Youth Group which had recently formed. Noticing that I was deeply committed to service, the parochial vicar invited me to join the Youth Group Advisory Council as a youth leader. It was during those years within the Youth Group that I began my close friendship with Father Steve. At different times, he indicated to me that I would make a good priest. I brushed him aside and thought that he was just joking with me. I wasn't planning on becoming a priest.

But through various events that happened to me later throughout my college years at UMass Dartmouth, I began to consider the priesthood more and more. After graduation and a short time teaching math at Bishop Stang High School, after much questioning, struggles and discernment, I finally relented to the will of God and decided to enter St. John's Seminary in September 1996. After six years of studies and formation, I was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 2002. Currently, I am the parochial vicar at St. Anthony's Parish in Taunton, the chaplain at Coyle and Cassidy High School and the Coordinator for Vocations in the Taunton Deanery.

Even though at times I may feel overburdened with some of my work or duties as a priest, I am truly and deeply happy to be a priest of Jesus Christ. Even though I resisted God's call for a while, I thank God that I finally accepted His invitation. I take comfort from the fact that certain Biblical figures also resisted God's call at first. They used certain excuses to resist God's will. Jeremiah said that he was too young and Moses thought that he could not articulate well. I too used some excuses. But, just as He assured Jeremiah and Moses, God assured me, and He assures all men and women to whom He calls. God will grant you the gifts and the grace that you need for your particular vocation.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest that he send out laborers into his harvest." Together, let us all pray that the Diocese of Fall River may have an abundance of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life.