May 12, 2010

Former electrician, engineer, student to be ordained priests

By Denver Catholic Register

At a 10 a.m. Mass May 15 in the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, five men attending the two seminaries of the Denver Archdiocese will be ordained to the priesthood. The men attend St. John Vianney Theological Seminary and Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary. Profiles of two of the men ran in last week’s Denver Catholic Register (read online at www.archden.org). Read more of all the men’s interview responses online at www.archden.org/index.cfm/ID/2612.

Name: Deacon John David Green
Birthdate: Nov. 25, 1976
Birthplace: Born in Denver, reared in Phoenix, Ariz.
Former occupation: Electrician
Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary

Q: Where did you find support for your call to the priesthood?
A: From the very beginning, my family supported me as I started on my journey toward the priesthood. At first they were surprised but they were happy for me and always encouraged me and prayed for me. I also found a lot of support in my Neocatechumenal Way (a Vatican approved, parish-based catechumenate) community in Phoenix; they helped me a lot spiritually and with many prayers and even helped a little financially so that I could to go to Italy for the meeting in which I was inevitably sent to Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Denver. My pastor also prayed for me and gave me a lot of support. It was probably through his encouragement that I finally went ahead with the vocation.

Q: What do you find most daunting about the priesthood?
A: One of the most daunting things I might face in the priesthood is the fact that when I am assigned to a new parish, it could be difficult for the people to adjust to me. Parishioners are used to their pastors and priests and it is difficult to get used to a new priest who may do things differently.

Q: Is there a particular talent or gift you feel you bring to the Church?
A: I play the guitar and I would not say I have a great voice but I do sing songs in the seminary for some liturgical celebrations and I believe this will be helpful in the parish, as I also know how to sing hymns in Latin (Gregorian chant). I know of priests who sing the whole Eucharistic prayer in a Gregorian style (usually at Easter), which I think enlivens the liturgy a lot. On a practical note, my experience in the electrical field (I worked as an electrician) could probably save the church some money if I could do some work myself, instead of paying someone.

Q: If you have been on mission (or itinerancy) as part of your formation thus far, share where you went and what you learned from that experience.
A: I have been on itinerancy in three different places over the course of three years. I was at St. Patrick Parish in Holyoke in northeastern Colorado for half of that time. I also spent about six months in the south Bronx, helping in the parish of St. Rita’s and also helping the Missionaries of Charity in the homeless shelter they have there. Finally, I was sent to Belize, Central America, for my last year of itinerancy. I was catechizing and helping one of the priests in a parish with various things, but my main reason for being there was to evangelize. That whole period of itinerancy helped me to enter a little bit into humility but it also taught me what it means to give my life. However, I believe what I learned most was to trust in God, especially in his providence, because the whole time of itinerancy I was without any money and God blessed me in many ways: I never starved, I always had a place to stay, and I have to say that God always gave to me in abundance. This experience will surely help me in the future ministry to trust in God in any difficulties I might face in a parish.

Q: Can you recall a particular moment when you have been called to give testimony to your faith, or more particularly, to your vocation to the priesthood? For example, perhaps someone’s recognition of your seminarian status has led to a conversation about the Catholic faith?
A: There have been many moments where I have had conversations with other people about the faith but not so many on account of my being a seminarian. I have not had a moment yet where I had to really defend the faith. If someone did confront me, I would tell them that I have seen God working in my life and through the Church, and that he called me. In response to God’s call I have repeated one simple thing, “Lord, I want to do your will.”

Name: Deacon Matthew Book
Birth date: Nov. 4, 1973
Birthplace: Born in Janesville, Wis., reared in Milwaukee
Former occupation: Engineer
Seminary: St. John Vianney Theological Seminary

Q: Where did you find support for your call to the priesthood?
A: My parents have been very supportive. Also, I have met many wonderful people and families that have been graciously supportive and welcoming during my time in seminary. My brother seminarians have been a great encouragement, and they are the ones at my side day in and day out.

Q: What do you find most daunting about the priesthood?
A: There is a multitude of demands on the priest, and what I find the most daunting is trying to answer them in a way that is generous, fair and also prioritized to the real needs of the people. 

Q: Is there a particular talent or gift you feel you bring to the Church?
A: I have been blessed with a pretty good singing voice, and I plan to use it in celebrating the holy Mass.

Q: If you have been on mission (or itinerancy) as part of your formation thus far, share where you went and what you learned from that experience.
A: I spent a year teaching in Bolivia with the Salesian Lay Missionaries. It was a very formative year in that I learned the joy of service and giving my life back to Christ instead of clinging to my own narrow ambitions. It was also a wonderful experience for learning Spanish and to be immersed in another culture.

Q: Can you recall a particular moment when you have been called to give testimony to your faith, or more particularly, to your vocation to the priesthood? For example, perhaps someone’s recognition of your seminarian status has led to a conversation about the Catholic faith?
A: Moving into our (Companions of Christ association) house on 1050 Pennsylvania St. (whereby four seminarians share fraternity and a common life) has afforded many occasions to give testimony about the Catholic faith and my vocation. There are a lot of colorful people in that neighborhood, but Catholic seminarians are the most exotic! I can think of a few neighbors who have warmed up to us and shown openness to the faith. One in particular has returned to her Catholic faith after 40 years.

Name: Deacon Michael Lawrence Rapp
Birthdate: March 16, 1983
Birthplace: Born in Minneapolis, Minn.; reared in Centennial, Colo.
Former occupation: Student
Seminary: St. John Vianney Theological Seminary

Q: Where did you find support for your call to the priesthood?
A: I’ve found support from family, friends, priests, classmates and strangers. Most people love priests. I was surprised to find out when I told my friends and family that I would enter seminary that most of them weren’t very startled, but very supportive.

Q: What do you find most daunting about the priesthood?
A: What’s most daunting about the priesthood is that it’s such a grave responsibility. I know that I’m young and am often foolish, weak of faith, and I am a sinner. I also know that Jesus has called me to represent his Church in a profound way, as a priest, and that the Church will confirm that call on the day of ordination. God is faithful and will make up for what I lack. So my hope is in his grace and I am confident that He will provide, but some of this vocation is a real mystery!

Q: Is there a particular talent or gift you feel you bring to the Church?
A: I speak some Spanish, I like to write, and I’m willing to wear a Mohawk if occasion permits.

Q: If you have been on mission (or itinerancy) as part of your formation thus far, share where you went and what you learned from that experience.
A: I’ve spent some time in Latin America learning Spanish and discovering the beauty of the Church around the world. I’ve learned that Jesus and his Church can be found almost anywhere you go. Also, worldliness, selfishness, and sin can be found anywhere you go. Our world is in great need of the hope that we’ve found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the generous love of Christians!

Q: Can you recall a particular moment when you have been called to give testimony to your faith, or more particularly, to your vocation to the priesthood? For example, perhaps someone’s recognition of your seminarian status has led to a conversation about the Catholic faith?
A: People are hungry for God. If I wear a collar out on the street, people will regularly meet me with curious glances, questions about the Church or about God, challenges and resentments, requests for prayers, or countless surprises. It’s part of the great adventure of priesthood. One time, an older lady in Mexico just walked up and handed me an egg without saying anything. She gave me that egg and kept on walking about her business.