By Fr. John Adamski

People are coming and going on vacations, lots of quick trips to the lake, everyone’s trying to get a tan and the children may already be tired of the summer schedule. This year my summer months have another dimension–working with our seminarians in their various efforts throughout the archdiocese. Fifteen men are here in Atlanta this summer, some working in parishes: visiting the sick, giving convert instructions, welcoming new parishioners, assisting with the liturgy, working in a day camp program, etc., and others in a wide variety of jobs from a clerk in a department store, to an air-conditioning repairman.

This summer experience can serve two purposes: providing us with the benefit of the enthusiasm and interest which these men bring and also giving all of us the opportunity to help them become more familiar with the Church they hope to serve. First, let’s reflect on their enthusiasm. Nearly all of these men have some fresh insights into what we are doing here as the Church in North Georgia. They are studying both the tradition of the Church as well as the latest theological speculation and are interested in applying theological thought to the needs of our people and parishes. They also can give some additional personal reaction to the style of ministry among our priests. Simply, their presence can help to insure our own honesty and zeal in serving all God’s people.

Secondly, I’m convinced that we all have an important role to play in supporting an encouraging these men. Their presence in Georgia for the summer give them an opportunity to learn more about their future home as well as experience something of the reality of what this particular group of people calling themselves Church really believes. We have an opportunity to assist them as they seek to understand more clearly what God might be calling them to do with their lives. Our openness, hospitality and concern can provide a measure of comfort and assurance which may play an increasingly significant role in their effort to learn more about the personal implications of a life fully committed to service in the Church. Our community becomes more definitely Christian as it carries its efforts for a unity of spirit from the time spent together in worship to the entire scope of how men help and care for each other.

Being with these men also emphasizes a basic aspect of what priesthood means for the individual man. A vocation to the service of God’s people is a definite call from God. The effort to respond to that call makes it necessary for a person to really try to pull himself together. The priest must be an integral, mature man of faith who is able to share himself in a realistic meaningful way with others. Nothing in that process of growing self-awareness and maturity happens by itself. Each person must make a genuine effort to know himself as fully as possible. In order for that effort to be successful each of us needs others: family, friends, neighbors – to help us really understand how we relate to them and what they expect from us. All of us can provide that sort of response for the men working here this summer.

I suppose that you are reading between the lines and already realize how proud I am of these men and the good work they are accomplishing this summer. One can’t help but be optimistic about the future of the Church when you realize the quality of men who are preparing for a leadership role within it. I’m grateful to God for the summer change of pace and especially for the presence of the men who are our seminarians for the Church of Atlanta.