Summer assignment a reminder to be “another Christ” to others

As I completed my second year of seminary, I received a pastoral assignment to live in a parish of the diocese for eight weeks in the summer. The point of a pastoral assignment is to get a taste of parish life and to see the ins and outs of running a parish. For eight weeks, I shadowed a pastor. This was the first time I was assigned to a parish. I didn’t know what to expect. I was assigned to the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo.

There were three different aspects of priestly life I observed: administrative, pastoral, and spiritual.

There were many things that showed me the administrative side of being a priest. I attended a parish council meeting, finance meeting, staff meetings, deanery meetings, and helped with several projects at the cathedral. I quickly found that there are many people behind the scenes making the parish work. Having the opportunity to get to know the staff made me appreciate everything they do to help the parish run smoothly.

I also experienced the pastoral side of priestly life. I sat in on a funeral planning meeting, marriage preparation, religious education classes, RCIA, and brought communion to the homebound. I was grateful to do these things because it showed me how to connect with people in various circumstances. I especially appreciated being able to bring the Eucharist to the homebound and visit the elderly. Seeing their devotion to our Lord in the Eucharist was inspiring and I am thankful to have played a small part in helping them receive him.

One thing that I didn’t expect going into my assignment was the number of homeless around the cathedral. In a way, it was a blessing to experience this because it gave me the opportunity to try and see Christ in everyone rather than judging or making assumptions based on their circumstances. I found that even the smallest acts of kindness went a long way in brightening someone’s day. Whether it was praying with them, giving them a bottle of water, or simply smiling at them and asking how they’re doing—anything to shine a ray of Christ’s love on their heart—because that is what a pastor should do. He continually reaches out to people on the fringes so that Christ may work through him to bring more people to the love and mercy of God.

The last part of priestly life that I experienced was the spiritual side. I realized that I can do nothing without a deep intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. How do I foster this relationship? By continually going to him in prayer asking for the strength and guidance to do my daily tasks. I can have all the good intentions in the world, but if I am relying on my own strength, I am doomed to fail. I can do nothing without Christ, and sometimes I have to be reminded of that the hard way. The priest is alter Christus, “another Christ,” to the world. One cannot live that calling without continually uniting himself to Christ with prayer and sacrifice. 

As my summer assignment closed, I came away with a deeper understanding of how the priest is to shepherd his flock. I pray that God will continue to form in me the heart of a shepherd to one day serve him as his priest.