A few months after being ordained, I was asked to write a brief article for the diocesan vocation newsletter. I was asked to reflect on my experience as a newly ordained priest. For the first time since ordination, this project gave me the opportunity to sit back and reflect on how quickly and radically my life had changed from being a seminarian to being a parochial vicar who was called “Father” just like every other priest. There had been very... Read more
During the summer of 1263, Peter of Prague traveled to Rome on a pilgrimage to pray at the tomb of Saint Peter bringing with him many doubts about his faith and his vocation as a priest. After regaining his spiritual strength and calming his doubts, Peter began his journey home, stopping in the village of Bolsena north of Rome for the night. Early in the morning, before celebrating Mass at the tomb of a local 3rd century martyr Saint Cristina,... Read more
Algunos tienen la impresión de que Jesús fue un predicador al margen de la sociedad que sólo contaba con unos cuantos discípulos. Piensan que pocos escucharon su mensaje hasta que fue demasiado tarde, hasta que lo habían clavado en la cruz. Sin embargo, el evangelio relata que Jesús envió a setenta y dos hombres en pares a predicar el evangelio. ¿Quiénes eran estos hombres? Estos hombres habían sido transformados por el mensaje que Jesús predicaba y continuaban dispuestos a seguirlo... Read more
Some have the impression that Jesus was a marginal preacher who only had twelve men and several women following him. Some believe that not many listened to his message until it was too late, until they had him nailed on a cross. The Gospel however records that Jesus commissioned seventy-two men to go out in pairs to preach the Gospel. Who were these men? These men had been transformed by the message Jesus preached and had even remained willing to... Read more
While in college, a theology professor pointed out how at home he could choose from over two hundred television channels. However, he also pointed out, that most of the time, though he had two hundred channels to choose from, there was absolutely nothing to watch. We have all experienced this while sitting in front of the television, remote control in hand, ready to go, but nowhere to go. There is nothing to watch. My professor concluded from this experience, that... Read more
Mientras estudiaba en la universidad, un profesor de teología señaló cómo en casa podía elegir entre más de 200 canales de televisión, pero a la vez señaló, que la mayor parte del tiempo, aunque tenía doscientos canales de los cuales elegir, no había absolutamente nada que ver. Todos hemos tenido esta experiencia al sentarnos frente al televisor con el control remoto en la mano, listos para despegar, pero sin ningún destino. No hay nada que ver. Mi profesor concluyó de... Read more
Durante el tiempo de Pascua, escuchamos todos los días en Misa acerca de los inicios de la iglesia. El libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles nos ofrece una visión única sobre los desafíos y las alegrías que vivieron nuestros padres en la fe. Una de las polémicas más grandes que enfrentaron los primeros discípulos de Jesús fue esta: si era necesario observar la ley de Moisés. ¿Deben los cristianos seguir las leyes prescritas del Antiguo Testamento, sobre todo la... Read more
During the Season of Easter we hear every day at Mass how the newborn church expanded. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles provides unique insight into the joys and challenges faced by our Christian ancestors. One of the greatest controversies faced by the first disciples of Jesus was this: should baptized Christians observe the Law of Moses or not? Should Christians follow the prescribed laws of the Old Testament, primarily circumcision? With these questions in mind, the apostles... Read more
How will the number of US-born Latino priests increase? Education. Dr. Hosffman Ospinio, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Education at Boston College and author of a recent comprehensive study on US Catholic parishes with Hispanic Ministry, argues that even though there is no magic solution to increase US-born Latino vocations to the priesthood, education is key in the fostering of a culture of vocations to the Priesthood among Hispanic communities in the United States. Responding to a desire to... Read more
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“Today, you will become Missionaries of Mercy:” An ordination homily
Last Saturday June 4th, Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv, Bishop of Savannah, ordained Father Brian O’Shaughnessy and Father John Wright priests of the Diocese of Savannah. Here I would like to share his inspiring homily. It’s a great reflection on the Priesthood. Brian and John, today is a day of great joy, for, in the presence of those who have nurtured and supported you over the years, your parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, friends, classmates, seminary faculty and staff and... Read more