By Fr. John Adamski

My recent trip to Orlando didn’t end up in Disney World. I went to attend the annual conference of diocesan vocation directors. Some remarks were made about the connection of our group with Mickey Mouse and other Disney related activities, but the atmosphere was much different than make-believe fantasy.

This was my third national vocation convention. As in the past, I found the time well spent primarily just being with a group of priests from across the country who are involved in many of the same sorts of activities as I am and face similar problems. I marvel at the sense of enthusiasm and happiness that is conveyed repeatedly. This group of over 150 priests, sisters and brothers are obviously happy in their vocations and eager to communicate that satisfaction to others. So often we get caught up in daily schedules and routines that we may lose sight of the value and purpose toward which we have committed our lives. These conventions have always served as a good opportunity to reflect on what’s happening in my life as a priest. That reflection regularly provides a good regeneration of morale and dedication.

The convention program structured a joint examination of what we are doing as vocation personnel and how our goals might be better accomplished. Many dioceses draw upon much greater local resources in their program efforts that would be possible for us in Atlanta. Nevertheless, the general sharing of ideas has the effect of renewing one’s own interest in various vocation promotion projects.

A second major focus of the convention was not what we do, but rather who we are. This seemed to me to be the major tone of this year’s gathering: an increasing awareness for us to be individual people of faith, those who are seriously committed to a growing personal relationship with Christ. Our reflection in this area was stimulated by Fr. Jerry Broccolo of Chicago and Atlanta’s own Fathers Jerry Hardy and Henry Gracz. The input of these speakers as well as the general sharing among participants became a clear expression of the crucial importance of this dimension in the life of anyone who would seek to serve as minister in the church. We would not be credible or honest encouraging others toward a style of life which was not already part of our lived experience.

As an individual priest, I was strengthened by the willingness of so many others present to share some of their experience of a greater need for prayer in their own lives. It helped me to reexamine the priority of prayer in my daily routine and reaffirm my commitment to that importance. Once again, I felt strongly that I was not alone in these efforts and moreover could profit from the honest experience of my brother priests.

That sharing gets at the heart of one of the most basic aspects of life as a priest: shared ministry. No man is called to do simply his “thing” within the context of the ministry. Rather, the Lord calls an individual to share in his own work of bringing all men back to God. Each person brings his own talents and capabilities but above all his openness to really learn to listen to the Lord’s call and direction so that his work is as faithful to that direction as it possibly can be. It’s an important feeling of community rather than isolation.

The national vocation directors must be among the happiest groups of priests in the country. The happiness which the group shares together is not oblivious of the real problems and challenges which confront the church and its ministers today. Rather it’s a common willingness to live out fully one’s vocation to service recognizing the values that exist within that call. I must admit that the vast majority of priests I’ve met are basically happy in their lives and work. They too experience the problems and frustrations that are part of the inevitable rhythm of human life, but they also have a vision that extends beyond those considerations. That vision, taught by Jesus Christ, is both the reason and the purpose for their lifetime commitment.

Perhaps we priests would attract others to share our ministry if we communicated better the happiness and satisfaction which we’ve experienced in answering the call of the Lord and his church. I can’t believe that only vocation directors have had that sort of priestly experience.