Decide to Be Catholic

A Priest was once asked “When did you decide to be a Priest.”
He responded, “I decide to be a Priest every morning when I am putting on my shoes.”
The first time I read that story, I was so moved by that answer because not only does it remind us of the commitment needed to be a Priest, but it also connects that commitment to such an ordinary, daily action. Every morning, that Priest puts on his shoes and in doing so he is reminding himself of his commitment to being a Priest and of the responsibilities that go with his vocation.
But this story is not something exclusive to those who have accepted the Priestly vocation. We all need to think of our commitment to being Catholics in a similar way and to constantly remind ourselves of the responsibilities we carry as members of this Church. In Baptism, each of us were brought into the family of the Church and became a part of the Body of Christ. In Confirmation that commitment to the faith was confirmed. And each time we come to Mass, we are nourished on the Word of God and on the Body and Blood of Christ, so that we can go out into the world and fulfill that commitment.
As Catholics we are given a special opportunity, as well as a special responsibility, to serve the Church and serve Jesus. But, when we are serving the needy in our communities, it is important for us to understand that we are not just social workers. Anyone; atheist, agnostic, even Satanic worshiper can go out and serve the needy, but when we do so; when we are doing our Christian based social work, we take God with us. This is why we, like Jesus did so often, should always include private prayer before and after we help the needy we meet. We are not social workers. We are Catholics, following Jesus’ directive to love our neighbours. This is the commitment we have accepted in our lives and we need to choose to be Catholics every morning when we are putting on our shoes.

May God Bless you and be with you always.

Fr. Edward Gibney
State Chaplain