By Michael Motes

Reports such as the decline of over 1,000 in the number of students in Catholic seminaries and continuing decreases in the number of priests and religious in the country do not discourage the Archdiocese of Atlanta's vocations director in the least.

In fact, it would be hard to imagine anything discouraging Father Richard Lopez, who is a genuinely happy individual with a bright outlook on life in general and who relishes special contentment in his own vocation as a diocesan priest.

Father Lopez, who was appointed by Archbishop Donnellan last January to succeed Father John Adamski as Vocations Director, says that he is "still in the learning stages" in his new field.

Serving as vocations director is one of several jobs for the extremely youthful-looking priest. He is an assistant pastor at St. Jude's, one of the largest parishes in the metropolitan area, and also serves as Chaplain of the local Serra Club. The latter ties in nicely with vocations, as the main purpose of the international organization is the support of programs to attract young men and women to the priesthood and religious life.

Father Lopez also shares with representatives from the Diocese of Savannah and Charleston the responsibility of contribution to the "Called By Name" vocations column which appears on the editorial pages of the three diocesan newspapers. He is the author of the column in this week's Georgia Bulletin on page 4.

The native of Florida was ordained for the Archdiocese of Atlanta at the Cathedral of Christ the King five years ago this month. His father, who is deceased, was a native of Spain and his mother is of Irish background.

Of his newest position, Father Lopez says, "I'm learning as I go. There are several things a vocations director should do. Primarily, I am responsible for encouraging vocations programs in the archdiocese. I also maintain communications with Atlanta seminarians and am developing recruitment programs."

The first such program Father Lopez hosted was at Immaculate Heart of Mary. The theme he has established for the weekend presentations is "Don't Say We've Never Asked You." Corpus Christi will be the setting of the next program scheduled for May 7.

In order to find out more about the country's seminaries, Father Lopez has visited Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio and St. Meinrad's and Moreau in Indiana. He is very pleased that he is currently working with four young men from the archdiocese who are preparing to enter the seminary.

He feels that there are two main factors of importance in recruiting for religious vocations. First, he says, is the prayerful support of the laity. The most important duty, however, is the responsibility of priests to reflect "an imagine of a happy life and a fulfilled priesthood."

Father Lopez says that he thought of entering the priesthood "off and on" throughout his life before making the final decision. Other careers he contemplated were teaching and government work. And, he jokingly adds, when he was a very young child he wanted to become a farmer.

Two great influences in his priesthood have been the late Sister Eucharia of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home and newly-consecrated Bishop Eusebius Beltran.

Of Sister Eucharia, whom he met a few days following his ordination, Father Lopez says, "She was probably the most marvelous human being I have ever met in my life. I am sure she is praying for me in heaven now."

The personal dedication of Bishop Beltran has always greatly impressed him, although he says that he "could never be as well organized as the bishop is."

"An old priest once told me, 'God doesn't necessarily choose those who fit, he fits those who are chosen.' This makes sense to me, since I sometimes feel that the fact I was ordained proves God has a sense of humor," Father Lopez remarked.

"I am extremely happy as a priest and try to reflect this happiness to those who are considering this vocation. It is very important that all priests show their love of Christ's Church to those around them.

"There is a setting down in the Church today that shows more young men with loyalty and respect for the Church. These are the ones we are trying to preach through recruitment programs. But a vocations director does not make a priest. Only God makes a priest. He plants the seed; we only help.

"I am fortunate that in only five years as a priest I have learned that what I give to others is nothing compared to what I receive in my vocation."

With an attitude such as this, Atlanta's vocations director is surely destined to help others find what he has found as a priest.