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Pastor learning lessons of 'art of priesthood'

Oct. 29 is Priesthood Sunday

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

	GREAT ADVENTURE: Four years after his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. John Girotti sees his vocation as "a great adventure," full of surprises. Oct. 29 is Priesthood Sunday. (Rick Evans photo)

Back when Fr. John Girotti was in the seminary, he thought being a priest was a science.

"You say this. Then the person will react that way. You will know what to say in return," recalled Fr. Girotti.

But since his ordination in 2002, Fr. Girotti, 30, has learned by "dealing with people and the soul," that "there is a real art to that. There has to be a sensitivity, an understanding and a realization that things are not always as they seem. There needs to be patience, understanding and giv(ing) God room to work."

That is one of the many reasons that Fr. Girotti, 30, has found the priesthood to "a great adventure," full of surprises.

Since his ordination, Fr. Girotti said he has learned the lesson of patience. "There's lots of patience you need in the priesthood. It's very much planting seeds."

What surprised him the most about himself, he said, is "that I am more adaptable than I thought." In 2004, he was assigned as pastor of three parishes - St. Anthony, Tigerton; St. Mary, Marion; and Holy Family-St. William, Wittenberg. In July, St. Mary, Leopolis, was linked with those three.

"Being in distant rural parishes far from city life, I never imagined that I would adjust, and I adjusted, I feel, very well," he said. "I've come to really love the people and the area." The parishes are the farthest west in the Green Bay Diocese.

Fr. Girotti said he thinks his parishioners "have helped these abilities to come out and certainly through the graces of ordination."

Fr. Girotti said his journey toward priesthood began when he was 16 after seeing the movie A Man for All Seasons, about the English martyr St. Thomas More. "I was very moved as to how he gave his life for the church," Fr. Girotti said.

For the next five years he struggled with this "call." Much of his discernment, he said, occurred at Appleton's Lawrence University, where he was studying cello. He had started playing violin when he was four and cello when he was 14.

When he was 21, he said he finally told God, "I give up. I'll do Your will."

He completed his undergraduate degree in music at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg,, Md., then attended seminary at Mundelein, Ill. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 2002. His first assignment was as associate pastor at Nativity Parish, Green Bay.

Fr. Girotti describes himself as "a pretty organized guy" and said that has been especially valuable since he became a pastor.

Years ago, he said, when there were more priests, associate pastors often waited 10 years before they became pastors. He was appointed pastor two years after ordination.

With his four parishes, he finds himself driving 2,000 to 3,000 miles a month. So that life ran more efficiently, he centralized the parishes, staff and meetings at Tigerton. He built new offices and unified the parish and finance councils, worship and religious education for the upper grades. "I am trying to bring the parishes together as a family," he said.

The parishes' top priority, he added, is "religious education of all ages."

To use time efficiently, he plans his daily schedule and spends one day a week at each parish, saying a weekday Mass there.

On weekends, there is one Mass in each parish. Fr. Harry Hafeman helps him as associate pastor.

One drawback to serving four parishes, he said, is that he doesn't have many opportunities to better know his parishioners. "You have to make the most of the opportunities you have."

Nevertheless, Fr. Girotti said, learning to be a pastor "with such kind people" is "a privilege. When I make a mistake, they are very patient. It has been a great gift to be a pastor on a small rural level rather than in a big city parish."

What he likes best about being a priest is hearing confessions, he said. "I have the privilege of holding someone's soul in (my) hand. I experience God working through me to bring healing and peace."

Marriage preparation and finding time to pray are his two biggest challenges. Fr. Girotti said. Many of the marriage preparation couples "have lost their way," he said, so he tries to help them find their way back.

Collecting himself to pray "because of the busyness of life" can be a struggle, Fr. Girotti said. His daily prayers include Mass, the rosary and his breviary.

"I don't want to become an empty pot. I can't give what I don't have," he said.

Fr.Girotti has an interest in apologetics, which he defined as "explaining faith to those who have questions." When he was at Nativity Parish, he presented a series of talks, "Know Your Faith."

"It was a wonderful success beyond my wildest dreams," he said, and the talks are available through the Relevant Radio website. He'd like to do a follow-up series and maybe teach in a seminary some day.

Priesthood is "a wonderfully fulfilling life," said Fr. Girotti, who offered this advice to anyone who thinks they may be called: "It will take everything you have. It requires you to really fall in love with the Lord Jesus and his church. I can't see myself doing anything else."