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BY GRETCHEN KEISER
Staff Writer
ATLANTA--Nazareth House, a residence at a Decatur parish, offers a new
dimension to formation for men approaching priesthood in the archdiocese, in
the view of vocations director Father David Talley.
The residence at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, where Father Talley now lives,
refers in its title to the hidden life Jesus had for 30 years before he began
his public ministry.
In imitation of Jesus, men seeking to be priests need to develop their human
capacity to live in community, to have the ability to get along with diverse
personalities and to handle their share of the ordinary tasks of life, Father
Talley said.
At Nazareth House, Father Talley, Father Richard Wise, pastor of Sts. Peter
and Paul Church, and up to five other men live, with space available to bunk
five more men for short stays. Seminarians and others in the formation process
share daily life, including morning Mass and their evening meal. While their
work takes them in different directions, they have the opportunity to develop a
fraternal relationship and strengthen their ability to live with and relate
well to others.
“The hidden life of Jesus may not be understood by everybody who comes
through Nazareth House, but it is what Nazareth House offers: prayer and work
and a shared meal every day,” the vocations director said.
While he was looking for a parish that could accommodate such a residence,
preferably in the Hispanic or African-American community, the former convent at
Sts. Peter and Paul became available when the religious order teaching at the
parish school for many years withdrew in June.
The first to live at Nazareth House include seminarian Terry Crone, who is
studying clinical pastoral education at Emory University this year, William
Kener, who is spending a pastoral year at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish before
returning to minor seminary, and seminarian Refugio Onate, who is serving at
Our Lady of the Americas Mission in Doraville. Matthew Roundy, who is
discerning a possible contemplative vocation, is also staying there.
“It is very easy for a man to go into seminary and become isolated from
the real world that everyone lives in,” Father Talley said, “that
requires taking out the trash, cleaning the toilets, learning how to handle
disagreements with other people. It is very easy (for seminarians) to become
isolated in a role. I hope Nazareth House can help.”
In preparing for the priesthood, “it is quite natural to think about
the first Mass and celebrating the sacraments,” he added. “But
another huge part of the life is learning to live life … with brother
priests, who may not always be the easiest personalities, and being among lay
people.”
“When you live as brothers, you are called to love as brothers. That is
the call of Jesus--to go beyond yourself in loving others.”
“For a diocesan priest, we are called to assist the archbishop in
preaching the Word. He can ask us to move as the need arises. If we are not
careful, we can become isolated. If we can look at (the diocesan priesthood) as
a fraternity with the Lord Jesus as the center … and in the formation
process show (seminarians) the need for that … I think it will make for
healthier and happier priests, and holier priests.”
Father Talley said he has gotten support from Archbishop John F. Donoghue
and the vicar general, Msgr. Peter Dora, and affirmation from pastors who see
the value of such a community experience while in formation.
“Though it is hidden in formation, I believe it is an asset to begin to
live as a fraternity,” he said, adding that having a residence like
“Nazareth House gives the vocations director great leeway in allowing
young men a chance to come and see.”
For example, he can invite interested candidates to stay in the archdiocese
for a time and also house seminarians wishing to spend Holy Week and Easter
here.
The life at Nazareth House is loosely structured, with seminarians attending
the 7 a.m. parish Mass celebrated by one of the priests and then ideally
praying morning and evening prayer together as well as cooking and sharing an
evening meal. In addition, Father Talley said he encourages seminarians after
ordination to start or join one of the existing priest support groups where
five or so priests gather on a regular basis to socialize, pray and provide a
sounding board for each other.
Sts. Peter and Paul Church will also be the new setting for the discernment
Mass that Father Talley hosts for men and women who are considering serving the
church through a vocation to the priesthood or Religious life or just seeking
to discover how God wants them to serve.
Beginning Sept. 13, the discernment Mass will be celebrated every Monday
evening at 6:30 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 2372 Collier Drive,
Decatur, followed by a simple meal and the opportunity to talk informally with
Father Talley and others about God’s call to ordinary people to lives of
service.
Those interested in the discernment group or seeking more information about
it may reach Father Talley at (404) 888-7844 or by email at
dtalley@archatl.com.
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