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.