Posted on 09/15/2008 9:35:13 PM PDT by Publius804
Men becoming priests at mid-life
By Bob Holliday
BLOOMINGTON -- In what he calls his past life, the Rev. Geoffrey Horton worked at a Bloomington-Normal insurance company, coached a women’s softball team, owned a home and invested in a 401K.
Although life was good, Horton, 43, felt something was missing. In May, he found his calling as a newly ordained Roman Catholic priest.
“I became a priest for the only reason anyone should ever become a priest, because I felt that’s what God was asking of me,” said Horton, currently assigned at a church in Peoria.
The Rev. Michael Bies heard the same call, but before he did, he worked 20 years as a machinist in his native Chicago and even considered marriage. Ordained about four years ago, Bies, 52, is associate pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Pontiac.
The two Central Illinois men aren’t alone in making such monumental mid-life career changes.
Paul Sullins, a professor at the Catholic University of America, said the average age at ordination has risen by 10 to 15 years since the 1970s — part of a national trend toward increased education and later-life commitments.
“An increasing proportion of priests today are entering their second or third careers,” said Sullins, adding the trend may help relieve the shortage of priests in the U.S.
(Excerpt) Read more at pantagraph.com ...
It’s great to see men take on this calling later in life. A life of religious service is tough in some ways, compared to the secular world these men are used to. It’s great to see them want to be of service to others and to God.
you start doing what YOU want, and not what society thinks you should do....
‘The celibacy requirement is actually a gift, said Bies, because it “frees you up to see all people as part of your family.”’
We have four transitional deacons in our dioceses. One in in his 40s and two are in their 30s. The older man was a Washington lawyer before he got the call.
In a way, it is good that these men are waiting until now. Had they entered a seminary at the “normal” age, their views, which for the most part are in line with the Pope (i.e. they are Catholic), would have led to them having some tough times in the heterdoxy which went on in seminaries 20 or so years ago. Read “Goodbye, Good Men” by Michael Rose for more information on that.
I have read that book and recommend it to others. You are right that these older priests are like the younger ones in training now, more traditional and faithful to the magisterium.
In our diocese we have a priest who is widowed and was a lifer in the air force. He is truly a blessing to us and we are so grateful that God never stopped calling him to serve. It just took some time for the distractions of this world to subside so he could hear and answer.
The Lord will provide. We have prayed and continue to pray for faithful priests. Though our church is being buffeted by some powerful storms, Jesus in His goodness will calm the sea as He did for His apostles.
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