I survived the first six months

It is hard to believe it has been over six months since I was ordained a priest. I recently had the opportunity to return to my Alma Mater, Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, and the most frequent question I got was, "has the priesthood been what you expected?" Looking back over these past six months, I realize that it has been a whirlwind of experiences that have affirmed and challenged me. I would like to speak of two.

First, is the outreach ministry to the middle schoolers known as "Cell." Every Wednesday and Friday, St. Ann's opens its doors to all the middles schoolers of our community. They invade like a barbarian horde from across the street to the Family Life Center of St. Ann's. The middle schoolers get out of school around 2 pm and so we provide a safe place for them to share in fellowship and fun. At first, this was a very daunting challenge, however, as the children have gotten to know me they have begun to warm up to me. I don't know whether it was schooling a few of them in basketball or just throwing around the football, but a change occurred. There is one moment that stands out in my mind, a girl wanting me to watch her throw the football. It was then that I realized one of the fruits of spiritual fatherhood. I remember as a child wanting my Dad to see how far I could throw, how high I could jump, etc. It truly is the little things that count.

Second, is my ministry to the sick. Although I have been trained sufficiently in the art of pastoral care, I could not have imagined the intimate situations that I have been invited to witness. Whether it be a woman dying of cancer wanting to pray the rosary with a priest and her family or comforting a mother with two sick sons and a husband that is restricted to a wheelchair. It is in those moments that I experience helplessness. Only Christ has the power to console, to heal, and bring comfort. I realize that I am but a instrument and a path by which Christ can touch his people.

I cannot imagine what the next six months will bring, but one thing is for certain. In all that I do, Christ will be there to guide me, strengthen me, challenge me, humble me, and affirm me.

May you all have a Blessed Christmas

Father Paul Lambert

“In Prison and You Visited Me”

One of the many joys of the first months of priesthood is that now all the great feasts of the Church’s liturgical year that I’ve shared in through the years I’m now celebrating as a priest! I find myself in prayer and in “random thoughts” saying, “I can’t believe I’m preparing a homily and will celebrate Mass on All Saints…All Souls…Christ the King…WOW!

With Advent we’ve begun a new (liturgical) year—let’s sing “Auld Lang Syne”…better yet, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.

Pope Benedict’s latest reflections on Advent point out that the ancient word used for Advent includes the understanding of a visit from a dignitary, king, or deity. His Holiness is also a well-trained Augustinian scholar whose main emphasis, within that tradition following Platonic philosophy, focuses on the transcending, lunging, propelling, liberating, soaring nature of humanity out from the potentially imprisoning confines of this world and this life.

I think I’ve experienced a little “two-step” dance between these two ideas above in my fledgling months. Our Eastern Deanery has a very involved prison ministry. Particularly here at Good Shepherd, between our parishioners and us priests, we have a presence at one, if not two, prisons every Sunday. This is something I always wanted to be involved with. In fact, I had my first experience in prison ministry (Taylor Correctional Institution) while assigned in Perry “many moons” ago now.

Anyway—the “two-step” Advent dance between the visit and prison. Last week, I went to the women’s prison for the first time. I celebrated the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. It was incredible to behold the faces of these women as they received the sacraments. Their experience of the Lord’s powerful and loving “visit” with them precisely within their current circumstances was palpable. Was that not an experience of transcendence, liberation, soaring?

This Advent I’m on the lookout for Advent “two-steps” in the streets of Tallahassee. I know I’ve already seen it where I did not expect, but that’s probably where I’ll find it again.

Father Will Ganci

Chimbote

I have just returned from a mission trip that took place in Chimbote, Peru, about six hours north of Lima, the capital city of Peru. I am so blessed that St. Ann Catholic Church had given me the opportunity to visit the parish that they continually support in Chimbote, Peru. I had many expectations about my trip to third world country. I was looking forward to having my eyes opened to the face of poverty, and the joy of those whose only riches are found in our savior, Jesus Christ. What I experienced was beyond what I could have possibly expected.

Chimbote is a city that was created to support the fishing industry. This city is located near the Pacific Ocean, but is surround by arid desert. If I didn't know better I would have though someone had brought me to the Sahara Desert. The city is busy with noise of cab drivers honking, speaking blaring music, and the occasional whistle of a police officer. I saw living conditions that shocked me, and houses that I couldn't believe people lived in.

Though what stands out the most was the people I encountered. An eighteen year old mother with a 12 day old baby. A old woman hunched over so much that she was bent over. Not to mentioned the many people with disabilities. However, it was the faith of these people that made such a powerful impression upon me. They look to God for answers and have faith that God will take care of them. They even say a prayer after the collection asking the Lord to bless what they have offered to God and his Church.

I hoped that this trip would broaden my view of the Church and its purpose in this world. I have returned with a different perspective on this world we live in, and my priesthood has taken on a new meaning. As I look toward Thanksgiving, I realize that I have a lot to be thankful for, and that there is bountiful harvest that I have been invited to work on.

High School Revisited....

High School Revisited!

This year is my 10th anniversary of High School graduation. I don’t know what happened with my Class of ’99, but I haven’t heard about any events to celebrate. Perhaps they left me off the invitation list (teary eyed).

I enjoyed High School. I even remember most of the words to the Alma Mater and enjoy singing it on occasion. The great memories of classes, teachers, athletics, friends, etc. I can’t believe it has been 10 years!

God is good! Even if my classmates abandoned me, God has not (Is 49.15). My first year in the priesthood, in the Year for Priests, God has brought me to John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee…Go Panthers!

Over these past few months since the academic year began I’ve had the opportunity to relive the excitement of High School simply being in their presence. Once a month I offer Mass on Friday and if there are other events going on, such as this coming weekend, they will perform Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol, I’ll try to attend. I’ve enjoyed attending the various Fall sports, however, I must admit that I’d rather be playing than watching. Recently, the girl’s volleyball team won the Regional Championship and will advance to the State Finals this week…once again…Go Panthers!

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my 10th anniversary! Thanks JPII!!

Father Will Ganci

Life is changed not ended...

"Life is changed, not ended." These words echoed in my mind as I celebrated the commemoration of All Souls. Since I have been at St. Ann's, there have been numerous funerals. Some we (The Staff and I) were expecting and others caught us by surprise. As the names of the faithful departed over my short time at St. Ann came to mind, I began to truly understand that simple phrase, "In death, life is changed, not ended." Just about every funeral I have concelebrated with my pastor, he choose the first preface for Christian Funerals, which includes that phrase. I knew of course that we must die to this world to be reborn in life eternal, but there is something more to this phrase.

A parishioner mentioned that a certain parishioner who had died was one of the pillars of St. Ann's. Without missing a beat I said, "Now he is part of the foundation." It was then I realized that the lives of this parish family have not only effect on earth, but continue to pray for us in heaven. I knew of the concept of the communion of saints, those in purgatory, and the Church present, but it was only then did I experience with such power the love of God that binds us all together.

With that in mind, the Eucharist, as the point at which heaven kisses earth, is nothing short of experiencing God's love. What an honor that God has chosen me, a weak man, to bring about such a reality!

Many Voices, One Word

Many Voices, One Word - My first Priesthood Retreat

I’m just retuning from my very first priesthood retreat held this past week. I cannot give the Lord enough thanks for the many graces received during this time set aside to be together with my brother priests and to be refreshed by Lord through prayer and the direction of our Retreat Master.

It is always appropriate to name and share graces after retreat…so:

Grace #1: Our Retreat Master, Fr. Ron Rieder, OFM. Cap., a tremendous priest of 47 years was THE MESSAGE!! His love for the priesthood and his particular walk in it, with tales of trial and glory, was absolutely perfect for a freshman class priest needing to hear about faithfulness “to the end” (cf. John 13:1).

Grace #2: This was the first time to be together with a majority of the priests of our diocese since our ordination, June 13th. The concelebration of all the priests with Bp. Ricard was incredibly powerful for me. Hearing the words of the epiclesis (the calling of the Holy Spirit), the whispers of the Words of Institution filling the one upper room with the One Word, Jesus Christ. From great distances — Perry to Perdido — the mission and communion that we share across the miles, in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ, was there!

Grace #3: Waiting anxiously for my return to Good Shepherd to write this edition of the PT Year of the Priest Blog!!! Truly, this retreat was a breath of fresh air; literally because we were near the Gulf of Mexico, spiritually because of the precious commodity of time surrendered to the Lord for those days (may each of our days include the latter).

Priesthood Retreat 2009, in this Year for Priests, was great, but I look forward to the next one and the times in between to be together with my brother priests to unite our voices to the One Word,“This is my body…This is my blood," the Mystery of Faith!

Father Will Ganci, October 26, 2009

The View from the Altar

When I look out into the congregation on Sunday, waiting for them to settle in their seats for the homily, I see a lot more than just faces in a crowd. I see a community of faith that has persevered through many trials and difficulties. I see their joy, and I see their pain. I see their peace, and I see their uneasiness. I see the broken body that is the mystical body of Christ. I see my home.

Although it has only been three months and I still feel like a newbie, I am beginning to grasp my parish ever closer to my heart. Every Mass, every confession, every trip to the hospital, draws me into ever closer intimacy with my parish. It is not only the good times but the struggles that bring me deeper into parish life. It is in the conflicts, the issues that arise, that I am given to opportunity to grow deeper in relationship with those I minister to.

I have come to understand that Hurricane Ivan and Dennis forever changed this community of faith. There was and still is residual pain and suffering still lingering in the community, but this is overpowered by the great unity that was sparked in those troubling times. I have come to understand and appreciate the culture of the community of Gulf Breeze.

When I look out into the congregation, I don't see parents, retired elderly, small children, young families. I see the family that has accepted me into their home. I see a people thirsting for the word of God to come alive in their hearts and lives. I see the Kingdom of God being made manifest before my eyes.

A Lovely Smorgasbord: Good Shepherd Staff Meetings

Our staff meetings at Good Shepherd are a lovely smorgasbord, indeed! However, these meetings are not too Swedish as the origins of the word might lead one to think.

COURSE #1: We meet every Thursday at 12:00. The meeting begins with quiet prayer together—inviting the Good Shepherd to gather us and lead our discussion. Then we reflect on the upcoming weekend’s readings; each are voluntarily read by a staff member. Then we share a thought or word that struck us from the scriptures. Various reflection questions are put before us to stimulate application of God’s word in our lives and the life of our parish. We offer special intentions for various needs and then pray a closing prayer followed by…

COURSE #2: The blessing of the FOOD!...which is provided by a member of the staff, including us priests, each week. You can’t beat this kind of staff meeting—very Catholic! Eat, drink, discuss, etc. and still accomplish what needs to be done in a staff meeting.

This past Thursday’s meeting fell on the Feast of St. Thérèse, the Little Flower. Of course, this great saint was from France. In her honor, we enjoyed a very tasty French meal (no French champagne at noontime), meanwhile we pummeled through our agenda in the usual good spirit and concluded almost simultaneously with the last ounce of the delectable French dish served!

What great experiences for this newly ordained priest in this Year for Priests! Will staff meetings always be like this? What staff meeting can compare with our great staff meeting? A Lovely smorgasbord, indeed!

Father Will Ganci

St. Mary to St. Mary - serving God's people

From St. Mary Parish (Fort Walton Beach) to St. Mary Parish (Pensacola)

It has been twenty-eight days since I have arrived at St. Mary Catholic Church in Pensacola, and unpacked my running shoes and books. I’m ready for my second assignment — whatever Father Dominic Phan Sa needs me to do. I’ve been going to the nursing homes, visiting the elderly at the nursing homes, bringing the sacraments: anointing of the sick, confession, and the Eucharist.

It’s been a real challenge learning all the parishioners’ names but the people have been real nice about it. Sunday we had our parish picnic and I was put to the test of remembering as many as I could. Needless to say I needed some more practice of remembering who is who. At the picnic we had hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, and just about every kind of side dish you could think of. When it came to the sweets we had enough for everybody to enjoy.

We had games for all the different kids to play — volleyball, badminton, ultimate frisbee, horseshoes, and face painting for the younger ones. We had a great turnout of our church family at our annual picnic.

I have been saying Mass every day and preaching the word of God. The people have been very friendly and supportive in everything I have done here at St.Mary’s.

“The Eucharist, that which comes to us through the hands of our spiritual fathers, is considered to be the source and the summit of our spiritual lives. It’s the very reason we are Catholic, that Christ gave us this gift through the hands of our priest.” (Sacramentum Caritatis)

I am blessed to be here but I look to the future with confidence, that God will inspire me to serve the Church with love and compassion of Christ.

Father Bob Johnson, Sept. 28, 2009

My parent's 40th Anniversary, Sept. 12, 2009

It must have been half-way through my last year of seminary that I realized that within my first year of priesthood my parents would be celebrating their 40 years of marriage. From that time my siblings and I started to plan for this momentous occasion. We were thinking renting a hall, inviting all their friends, and having a big party for their marriage. When it came down to it, all my parents wanted was us to be together. This not the easiest task.

The Anniversary mass and dinner would take place in Clearwater, FL where my parents live. My older brother Luke, his wife Mary, and their two daughters Amy and Isabelle live in Loveland, Colorado. My older sister was living in Glendale, California. My younger brother Philip, who lives the closest, lives in Orlando, FL. By the grace of God we all arrived safe and in good humor.

It was a Saturday that we were going to celebrate a mass for my parents. The first thought was to have it just before dinner, and celebrate the Sunday's liturgy as a vigil. However, we decided to celebrate it earlier. I had planned on it being the Sunday's liturgy so I scrambled and picked out the ritual mass for anniversaries, and some readings that are given for anniversaries. I had my parents read the first reading and the responsorial psalm. My Dad read the words from Psalm 128, "May you see your children's children," he looked to his left and right at his two granddaughters. It was such a graceful moment.

As I said a prayer of blessing over my parents after the homily and blessed their rings with holy water, my Mom's eyes watered with tears of joy. I ask her afterwards what had struck her so powerfully. She said that when they got married she could not have imagined that 40 years later that she would receive a blessing from her own son on her anniversary.

As I left my family and returned to my parish family, I felt and still do feel recharged by the experience. It was because of my parents' radical living of their vocation in marriage that gave birth to my vocation as a priest. It is their love that they shared with me that allowed me to experience God's love and to give God's love daily to those who I encounter every day.

Learning a New Art Form: the Day Off

Most mornings I rise from bed before the gift of the new day’s light, ready myself, go to the Judge’s Chambers (the Blessed Sacrament Chapel) for a few minutes; retrieve the newspaper — which I think is purposely thrown in the ditch each morning — and review the headlines. Then I return to the chapel and pray Office of Readings followed by daily Mass homily prep. Then I eat my yummy waffles (or other fruits of this good earth) and I drink “wake-up juice”, aka coffee. I finish and then return to the chapel for Morning Prayer. Then I prepare to depart for Good Shepherd for Mass and/or other pastoral responsibilities (i.e. hospital, homebound, etc.) that weave throughout the day. I pray Daytime Prayer meanwhile, inevitably, my hunger returns around the noontime hour and I remedy that with lunch. The early afternoon I try to set aside time for weekend homily prep and other study (i.e. journal articles, books, e-news, etc.). Typically, I’ll have an afternoon appointment or two then I return home for Evening Prayer and supper with Fathers Foley and Winkeljohn. The evening usually includes parish activities and miscellaneous office business. I return home for Night Prayer and little nighttime reading and BAM..I’m out = full day.

*Notice I’ve used many qualifiers such as “most” and “typically”— ANYTHING can happen to change this flow. My prayer is simply to echo the Psalmist: “My heart is ready, O God.” Also, I didn’t mention the weekends. I asked for them off, but wasn’t successful.

BUT…A new art form is developing: The Day Off! It is an art. My basic materials that I try always to include in this very important masterpiece are 1) NO ALARM, 2) NO SHAVING and 3) LITTLE OR NO TECHNOLOGY. Brief comments on 1 and 3 (N.B. I think most men know where I’m coming from with 2). 1) It’s so nice to allow the Lord and His angels to wake me in the AM and not the annoying sound of some plastic device. 3) I really feel a difference in my soul when I take a 24 hour break from the cell phone and computer.

These above comments, some serious, some in jest, are merely to say that the art of the day off has become, for me, geared to re-creative leisure and rest that allows an intentional spiritual space and atmosphere to emerge for holy and refreshing communion with God (cf. Mk 6:30-31). This priest needs the fine tuning of his interior listening to the unique offered call to holiness and to better serve the needs of His People. I’m also His mission. The art of the day off is the art of allowing Him to be successful in that mission.

All this and loads of fun, too!!!

Father Will

Seminary was not a hoop to jump through but pre-launch sequence into the blast-off of Priesthood

I never realized how much seminary has prepared me for ministry. A frequent complaint in seminary is, "when will I ever use this?" Not until I began ministry as a priest did I realize how well prepared we are.

In seminary we were taught to wear name tags so that visitors would know who we were. Guess what, I am still wearing my name tag they gave me in my first week at St. Ann's. Now if I could get all the parishioners to wear theirs, then I would be in the clear.

In seminary I was tasked with being the chair for the Social Committee. I learned how to organize social events and provide activities that build community. At St. Ann's their unwritten philosophy is, "if you feed them, they will come."

As part of my seminary training I spent a summer working as an intern chaplain at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola in the Clinical Pastoral Education program (CPE). I find that training to be invaluable as I visit those near death and provide comfort to the family who has lost a loved one.

In these first months of my priesthood, I have come to realize that the seminary's purpose is not only to provide an education in theology, to teach future priests how to preach and celebrate Mass, and so forth, but to form us into priests who will utilize all the tools placed before us. Now, there are situations that the seminary cannot prepare a priest for, but the seminary has given me the tools to deal with these situations.

In these past weeks, I realize that my formation has only begun.

Anniversaries: The Glorious and the Messy

Since my last blog our diocese and nation have marked two significant anniversaries that happen to share the same day, but that is the extent of their similarities. One of the anniversaries was the 450th anniversary of the 1st Mass celebrated on Pensacola Beach on the Feast of the Assumption — Glorious! The other was the 40th anniversary of Woodstock — Messy!
Meanwhile as I serve the Lord and His people as a priest of Jesus Christ in these past weeks I’ve celebrated the outpouring love of our God in the Eucharist each day, the forgiving and healing grace of reconciliation, and reassured the sick and the dying through anointing and viaticum, of the presence of Christ with them in their time of great need. How glorious are the mysteries of faith! Meanwhile, also, I’ve tried to assist through presence, prayer and counsel men and women struggling in marriages, with addictions, doubts, fears, and anxieties. How messy life can be!
So I’ve thought and prayed about it. Although I still maintain that there is little similarity between the two anniversaries we’ve celebrated and/or observed, at least as models or themes for our present time, the two can go together: THE GLORIOUS AND THE MESSY!!! This young…getting older (it takes me so much more time to stretch these muscles before going for a jog, playing basketball, lifting weights, etc.) priest is learning in practice what God revealed in His Son: glory was achieved within the messy when He mounted the wood of the Cross and experienced death only to be rescued from it on the third day.
Turns out this is provident: my next blog is Sept. 14th, The Exaltation of the Cross. I’ll look forward to sharing more then. Blessings!

Father Will Ganci

It's been thirty days...

It has been thirty days since I arrived at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach, unpacking my walking stick and a pair of sandals. I'm ready for my first assignment - whatever Msgr. Cherup needs me to do. I've been going to the hospital, nursing homes, and visiting the elderly who need the sacraments: confession, anointing of the sick, the Eucharist, and confirmation.

It's been a real joy to be back and serve the people of God in Fort Walton Beach at St. Mary's. I've met the staff and they are friendly, professional, experienced and very helpful. Each day is exciting by being able to minister to the people of God.

I have been saying Mass every day and preaching the word of God. The people have been amazing to teach and learn from them with their questions about the readings of the day. It's been a grace-filled moment and a very humbling experience to be able to proclaim God's word every day.

I am blessed to be here but I look to the future with confidence, that God will inspire me to serve the Church with the love and compassion of Christ.

Father Bob Johnson

It has been a month since...

It has been a month since I stepped foot unto the campus of St. Ann Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, unpacking my stuffed car into the rectory. Even though I was soaked by the warm embrace of the humid summer air, I was excited to move in and get started into parish life.

This did not take too long, I came in on a Thursday and my pastor Msgr. Hunt left on the following Tuesday. Seeing as it was tradition to leave the associate by himself for his first month in the parish, the pastor had no choice. (small chuckle) In short order I picked the brain of my Pastor before he left, trying to gather any wisdom I might need to keep the Church from burning down. (yet another chuckle)

I really had nothing to worry about. The staff at St. Ann's are experienced, generous, and very helpful. I have to admit, though, it is a little overwhelming. It seems like every day poses a new dimension of priesthood that I hadn't thought of before. Each day truly is an adventure and it is God's loving compassion and strength, along with the support of the staff that enables me to carry out the ministry the Lord has called me to do.

I look to the future with confidence, that in God who stengthens me, I will serve the Church with the love and compassion of Christ.

I HOPE I'M DOING THIS RIGHT...

GREETINGS FROM MY CUBICLE AT GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC CHURCH, TALLAHASSEE. REALLY I HAVE A VERY NICE OFFICE--ONE OF THE FIRST GREAT PERKS I'VE BEEN GRATEFUL FOR IN MY TRANSITION FROM SEMINARY TO PARISH PRIESTHOOD. IN THE SEMINARY THE LIVING QUARTERS WERE ALSO THE OFFICE, LIVING ROOM, "KITCHEN", ETC.

SEMINARY WAS GREAT! IT WAS A PRIVILEGED TIME TO PREPARE THE HEART TO BE MOLDED, IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO RECEIVE THE GRACE OF HOLY ORDERS AND BEGIN TO SHARE IN THE SACRAMENTAL PRIESTHOOD OF OUR LORD. YET--SEMINARY COMES AND INUMERABLE BLESSINGS WITH IT, BUT IT ALSO GOES!

NOW...I [JUST] HOPE I'M DOING THIS RIGHT...

THAT APPLIES TO THIS WHOLE BLOG THING. I SHOULD HAVE CALLED FR. PAUL (LAMBERT) BEFORE I DID THIS. FR. PAUL HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY "TECH" SUPPORT.

BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS--IN THIS YEAR OF THE PRIEST--I ENTRUST MYSELF TO OUR HIGH PRIEST WHO IS "ALL RIGHT" AND NO WRONG. EACH EXPERIENCE THAT I'VE HAD SO FAR IN ONE MONTH, 17 DAYS, 15 HOURS, 49 MINUTES, AND 40.. NO 41.. NO42 SEC HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. [MY BOSS, FR. MIKE FOLEY JUST WALKED IN SO I HAVE TO MAKE A PAUSE]

SO, AS I SIGN OFF FROM THIS 1ST BLOG I CAN SAY THAT I'M REALLY NOT SURE THAT I'VE DONE IT RIGHT, BUT REGARDING MY PRIESTHOOD, I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE HIM (AND SHARE SOME OF THESE MOMENTS WITH YOU) WHO IS "ALL RIGHT" AND NEVER WRONG, ESPECIALLY ABOUT LOVING HIS PEOPLE [INCLUDING THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO BLOG]!

FR. WILL

Welcome!

The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee has been blessed with an abundance of vocations to the priesthood and diaconate. In celebration of this, and in observance of the international "Year of the Priest" declared by His Holiness Pope Benedict the XVI, three of our newly-ordained priests are going to blog on this site about their first year of priesthood, which began for them on June 13 this year. We hope you'll join them on this journey beginning August 3, and share your comments, prayers and encouragement with them as they reflect with you on their first year of ministry.