A Thank You
Written for the August 6, 2017 parish bulletin of Saint Stephen, East Grand Rapids.
Saint Stephen Parish Community,
For those of you who I have not gotten to meet, my name is Max Farrell. I have been working in the parish office this summer while Nancy Chandler is on maternity leave. I am a seminarian for our Diocese, and will begin my studies and formation in the fall at Fr. Nolan’s alma mater, the St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. It is for this reason that, as the summer comes to a close, Cindy Thomas and Lora Bennett asked I would offer a brief reflection on discernment, especially as it relates to the work I was able to do here at St. Stephen.
What a blessing-filled time it has been for me! I am often told by priests that the most formative experience that a seminarian can find outside of his schooling is working in a parish; it is for this reason that our Diocese assigns its seminarians to work in multiple parishes throughout major seminary. I am blessed to have had the chance to experience the work, life, and ministry of a parish so early!
As the past three months have gone by, I have not only learned a lot about the reality of running a parish, but have also been afforded many opportunities to grow in my understanding of who God is and how He reveals Himself to us through His Works and Church. All of this has been very touching for me and will, I know, serve as a powerful tool in the (long) process of discerning priesthood. I am indebted to everyone who has helped make these past few months a time of serious learning and growth for me.
Mother Church desperately needs us to learn from Almighty God the purpose of our life; she will not exist if we do not follow His lead. This week, we commemorate several martyred consecrated and/or ordained saints: the Apostles Peter and James; Pope Sixtus II; Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, and Deacon Lawrence of Rome. Asking for their intercession, please pray that God would bestow on His People the grace of courage in discernment; in particular, on those who are seriously discerning a religious vocation or a call to marriage and on my brother seminarians and me — I know that I have great need for all the help that I can get.
Be assured that this parish community will always be in my prayers, and that I am deeply grateful for this experience.
In Christ,
Max
