For them, we are grateful

By Bishop David Zubik

	Bishop David Zubik

This past weekend, I had the grace-filled privilege of ordaining three new priests for service in our diocese: Fr. Andy Kysely, Fr. Ben Sember and Fr. Joel Sember. For years, these new priests have been prayed for by their families, friends and the faithful of our church and beyond. Likewise, they have studied, prayed and, most important of all, kept in tune with what God was asking of them.

As I prepared myself for the awesome celebration of their ordination, I reflected that I have been going to priesthood ordinations every year since 1965 when I was a junior in high school, years before our three new priests were even born! (What a sobering personal reality!) First as a curious high schooler, then as a seminarian, then as a priest and now as a bishop, I continue to be awestruck by the very ritual that captures God's call to priesthood.

Obviously, my own vantage point has changed since I first watched the ordination ceremony from the last pew on the side aisle in Saint Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh in 1965. Sitting at the ordination ceremony last Saturday, in the faldstool of Bp. Francis Xavier Krautbauer, the second of 11 bishops of Green Bay, I asked myself "WHY?" Why am I the one in that chair? Why not someone else? I am well aware that there are many others who are much smarter, much more capable and especially more holy than I? Why am I the bishop?

	Related articles in this issue: • Three join order of priesthood at Cathedral (includes photo) • New priest considered vocation at young age (Fr. Kysely) • Why I want to be a priest (Fr. Ben Sember) • New priest said friendship started vocation (Fr. Ben Sember) • New priest ready to let God work (Fr. Joel Sember)
	Previous articles: from June 22, 2007 issue: • Bishop to ordain three from August 25, 2006 issue: • Three take next step on path (includes photo) August 11, 2006 issue: • Three seminarians will be ordained as deacons (includes photos of the three men) April 29, 2005 issue: • 'Like a herd of sheep, all hungry for pasture' (by Ben Sember) • Smoke became the main topic in Rome (by Joel Sember) April 15, 2005 issue: • Seminarians among faithful to mourn pope June 25, 2004 issue: • Celibacy is a great treasure for the church and for others (by Ben Sember) January 9, 2004 issue: • How one person made a difference for a seminarian August 9, 2002 issue: • 'Seeing the pope was best part of whole trip' (by Joel Sember) January 11, 2002 issue: • How Scripture guides our seminarians April 13, 2001 issue: • 'I had to check priesthood' (Ben Sember) December 8, 2000 issue: • Sacraments attract seminarian (Joel Sember)

In turn, I know our three new priests have asked the same question. Why? Why are they called priests and not somebody else?

Currently, I am reading the excellent new book by Pope Benedict, entitled Jesus of Nazareth. One of the chapters focuses on the disciples of Jesus. In that particular chapter, the Holy Father reflects on Jesus' call of the first Apostles:

"The calling of the disciples is a prayer event; they were begotten in prayer, in intimacy with the Father ... Their calling emerges from the Son's dialogue with the Father and is anchored there. This is also the necessary starting point for understanding Jesus' words, 'Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest' (Mt 9:38). God must always be asked and He Himself must choose them for this service" (p. 170).

The Pope makes the essential point - God calls and God calls through the Church. "You cannot make yourself a disciple - it is an event of election, a free decision of the Lord's Will, which in turn is anchored in His communion of will with the Father" (p. 170).

Thus the "Why" of my earlier question is answered within the framework of God's Will, and to whom and for whom He chooses.

Then there is the "What?" Frs. Andy, Ben and Joel are ordained for service in our diocese. That's why they are called diocesan priests, unlike other priests who are ordained for service in the Church as members of a religious congregation, such as the Norbertines or the Capuchins or the Third Order Franciscans.

Relative to the "WHAT" of priestly service, the Pope in his book writes about two important aspects: "Jesus appoints the Twelve with a double assignment: 'to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach.' They must be with Him in order to get to know Him" (p. 172).

That advice is crucial for our new priests. At the risk of becoming utter fools, they cannot risk not being with Jesus. Prayer, study, reflection, contemplation, meditation are all some of the ways they are to stay with Jesus - and daily.

The second assignment our new priests have received from Jesus is to preach - to preach the Word of God, the teachings of the Church and not their opinions, nor their reservations and especially not their own prejudices. God, and we as Church, has a right to expect as much from them.

Very shortly, Fr. Andy will begin his service to the people of Annunciation, Saint Joseph, Saint Jude and Saint Patrick in Green Bay; Fr. Joel will begin his service at Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Jude the Apostle and at the Newman Center at UW- Oshkosh; Fr. Ben will begin his service to the people of St. Joseph, Wautoma, St. Rose, Clintonville, St. Mary in Bear Creek and those served in the diocesan Tribunal before he returns back to Rome for further studies in September.

For them, we are grateful as Church. For them we offer our support. For them, we pray that they may always be with Jesus and preach His truth.