Young men get glimpse of priesthood lived in a rural parish

The men were hosted by Christchurch Diocese vocations director Fr Tien Cao earlier this year. Writing about the weekend in Christchurch diocese’s Inform magazine, Fr Cao said that the men were “exploring whether they might have a vocation to the priesthood”.

“They arrived on Friday night, shared a simple meal with me, and were immediately immersed in what it means to be a parish priest in Mackenzie,” he wrote. “I have no assistant priest, no secretary and no pastoral worker. I do almost everything myself, both in the house and in the parish.”

Fr Cao shared his weekend routine with the men, which includes ministry at the parish churches in Fairlie, Twizel and Lake Tekapo.

“If people in the city complain about the distance to Mass, I tell them that I travel over 200 km per Mass and I am completely fine with it.

“ . . . Of course, I am completely happy with my vocation. I was made for it. I see no better way of life than the one the Lord has called me to. However, is this life for them? That is something they must pray about and discern.”

After one of the weekend Masses, the young men visited a family, and this became a highlight of their visit.

“We enjoyed a friendly cuppa and a chat about their why – the reason for their exploration,” Fr Cao said.

“As Pope Francis reminds us, a shepherd must have the smell of the sheep. I find that being with my parishioners is both an honour and a responsibility. How can we truly know our sheep without spending time with them?

“Their joys and sorrows bring the parish to its knees before the Lord and, if necessary, they should be the ones who keep us awake at night in prayer.”

Fr Cao said that he has accompanied many young adults in New Zealand and across the Christchurch Diocese.

“I know that there are young men truly searching for the pearl and treasure of their lives,” he wrote.

“I pray that they recognise the diocesan priesthood as a real possibility and, above all, that they understand it is a vocation born of faith – faith in God and in his Church.”

FULL STORY

Why are you here? (By Fr Tien Cao/Inform)