By Fr. John Adamski

We’ve just finished a “Role Call” weekend retreat. Thirty high school and college men, along with a half dozen priests, spent a couple of days at the Trappist Monastery in Conyers, thinking, talking and sharing ideas about making decisions with one’s life and the option of priesthood. All of us seemed to have a great time together and perhaps we helped clarify some notions as to what ministry in the Church really involves today.

Maybe the most obvious lesson of the weekend is that our young people are quite concerned about what to do with their lives and they’re willing to take some time out and consider the choices.

The usual topics, especially celibacy, were discussed at length. These men quickly shattered some of the stereotypes which many of us have about young people today. Celibacy doesn’t come across as the insurmountable obstacle that many would have us believe it is. Apparently these men have already begun to see beyond some of the values of sex and pleasure which our society stresses in almost everything, including ads for soap. Rather than being overwhelmed with the question of celibacy they were much more eager to try to see how they might be able to fit into the whole life-style of a priest. Would they be able to do things that interest them? Would thy have a chance to develop their talents? Would they be happy in trying to serve others as a priest?

There are no easy answers to those questions, for every person is unique with his own particular needs and capabilities. We tried to discuss some of the different facets of ministry in today’s world in order to help them see that there are many opportunities open to them.

The structure of the Church does not have to be a stifling institution which destroys any kind of personal initiative. The Church is a group of people, called by God, traveling on their way to the fullness of God’s kingdom. God’s call to every Christian opens up a whole new way of looking at life and existence: God’s way. The authorization of the Church should open a man in a special way so that he becomes free to serve God’s people. This freedom is a call to use everything that he is and has to share something of God’s life and care with others.

Each of us has a choice. We can see the demands made of us as being obstacles and hindrances or we can find the needs of others as being opportunities for us to serve, care and help. That may come down to a lot of ordinary sorts of things in a normal day: phone calls, visits in hospitals, patience and understanding with those in distress. God’s call to a man to live as a priest – a call which comes through the Church–is a challenge to be free enough to see beyond the routine and drudgery to the meaning and challenged of love and service.

One other experience of this weekend was very instructive. The young men with us were quite impressed that many priests would take the time and effort to spend some time with them. They were happy to see several priests working together as brothers. It’s unfortunate that we need a special weekend to bring that message across. The priests involved in the program enjoyed the opportunity to work together.

Maybe this weekend will help us begin to find more similar opportunities – not just for priests but for all God’s people-so that all of us might better share and experience God’s call for us to be brothers and sisters of the Lord, living together as one family in his love.