To commemorate the Year for Priests announced by Pope Benedict in June 2009, The Word Among Us Press has collected stories and testimonies from priests that speak in a personal way about the joys and challenges of their vocation. Representing priests from all ministriesincluding pastors, military chaplains, educators, and missionariesthe men here speak of their call to this ministry and how their relationship with God sustains them and their work. This book shows in concrete, real-life ways that the priesthood is a noble and worthy calling that serves God and the church. It also raises awareness among lay Catholics of the need to encourage and support vocations in their families and parishes. An inspiring look into the heart of priests. Perfect for RCIA candidates or those considering a vocation to the priesthood. A thoughtful gift for priests in celebration of the Year for Priests.
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| Preface by the Most Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien | p. 9 |
| Archbishop of Baltimore | |
| Introduction | p. 13 |
| The People's Prayer for Priests | p. 17 |
| Why Did I Fear? | p. 19 |
| The Thrill of Proclaiming the Good News | p. 23 |
| "I Will Not Leave You Orphaned" | p. 27 |
| Making Prayer the Center of My Life | p. 34 |
| Certainty, Commitment, and Joy | p. 38 |
| The Lessons I Learned from My Hispanic Parishioners | p. 42 |
| Becoming a Priest Every Day | p. 51 |
| Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace | p. 56 |
| "Priest" and "Victim" with Christ | p. 63 |
| My Vision of the Priesthood | p. 67 |
| "I Was in Prison and You Visited Me" | p. 72 |
| In the Center of God's Will A Homily Delivered at the Funeral of Fr. Tim Vakoc | p. 77 |
| The Hound of Heaven | p. 82 |
| The Mystery of Grace | p. 86 |
| Healing Broken Hearts | p. 90 |
| Witnessing to Jesus | p. 94 |
| The Priest and the Ministry of the Word | p. 100 |
| God Is Full of Surprises! | p. 105 |
| The Joy of Presiding at the Eucharist | p. 111 |
| Fanning the Flame of God's Love | p. 116 |
| Caring for the Promised Land | p. 121 |
| Many Roads Lead to Brooklyn | p. 127 |
| Continuing the Healing Ministry of Jesus | p. 132 |
| In Praise of Horizontal Prayer | p. 136 |
| I Believe in Miracles | p. 141 |
| Celibacy: A Sign of Love for Jesus The Most Rev. Victor Galeone, Bishop of St. Augustine | p. 148 |
| The Grass Is Green Everywhere | p. 154 |
| Sharing a Meal and a Common Vocation | p. 157 |
| My Long Journey to Africa | p. 161 |
| Letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI | p. 173 |
| Acknowledgments | p. 187 |
| Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved. |
Patricia Mitchell remembers the day her mother let her pick out a kitten from a mama cat's litter. Ever since, kittens and cats have blessed her life. Each resident came with a purr and personality all its own, each one with stories to tell and secrets to keep. Pat writes inspirational stories and Christian devotionals from the home she shares with her four charming felines in Kansas City, Missouri.
