Jesus called certain men to be the conduit or the way through which He can still work in this world. The Catholic Church is still Jesus’s. He’s the one “doing” or “giving” the Seven Sacraments, it’s just He works through His priests.
My priest friends in other dioceses lament the fact that young men can rarely hear the call in the midst of this kind of world. They have huge seminarian shortages. While the parishioners are doing their best to do the day-to-day (finances/upkeep/organizing), it still means that parishes are closing. For some reason God set up the Eucharist to be given through priests at the mass. No priest, no Eucharist. It’s a great mystery why such an important thing is dependent on a schmuck like me.
Our diocese has a “good problem.” Whatever the cause is (some think it’s the priests and nuns in every Catholic school, or male altar servers since all other dioceses do not do this … not stating these AS the reason, but they are extremely unique), again, whatever the cause, we have a LOT of seminarians. But that also increases the cost of education. Hence why… The Bishop Appeal for Vocations (BAV) which we will begin next week.
My education was outstanding. From theology, to preaching, to Confession, my seminary was very good, which I hope in some way to reflect for others. It’s why I give to BAV.
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