I was a parishioner at Holy Cross Church in Lynchburg and my pastor was Father Tony Warner, now deceased. It was a Sunday morning Mass and I had decided that when the Mass concluded, I would ask to speak to Father Warner about my possible vocation. 

Well, once the Mass had started, I began to develop cold feet and convinced myself that I would put off speaking to him for the time being. 

The Holy Spirit had other plans, as Father's homily concerned vocations to the priesthood and how those who feel the call should step forward. I knew then that Christ truly was calling me to the priesthood, so I stepped forward and I have been doing so ever since. 

Looking back on that Sunday that changed my life forever, I realized something else: It was Good Shepherd Sunday, a weekend dedicated towards vocations to the priesthood, though I was not cognizant of this at the time. I entered seminary at the age of 26 and was ordained six years later.

On the evening after my ordination, I had invited a number of friends and relatives to my parents' home in Amherst County. As one guest was leaving, she called out saying that a snake was on the walkway, blocking her path. 

I went out to investigate. Seeing the snake, I took a stick and held its head down and then I bent down and picked the snake up at the base of its head and threw it into the woods. 

My brother said, “Did you know that snake was a poisonous copperhead?” 

I then said, ‘Do you not know the scriptures, in which Jesus proclaims, “Behold, I have given you the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you?’” 

Perhaps that illustration is a good metaphor for my vocation, because as priests we do try to cast out what is poisonous in the world and replace it with what is life-giving.

As a newly ordained priest, I was assigned as a parochial vicar for St. Bede Church in Williamsburg and later as a campus minister for William & Mary. 

Four years later, Bishop Sullivan appointed me as pastor for both St. Mary of the Presentation Church in Suffolk and Good Shepherd Church in Smithfield. From there, I journeyed to the western part of the state as pastor for St. Jude Church in Radford. And finally, two years ago I was appointed by Bishop DiLorenzo as rector for the Cathedral.

As you can see, I have experienced a variety of geographical areas in the Diocese (not to mention those as a seminarian). I must say that moving from the country setting of Radford to downtown Richmond was somewhat of an adjustment as the sounds of birds and deer were replaced with the noise of sirens, horns and roaring buses that pass by the rectory! 

In all honesty, I have been truly content wherever I have been assigned, regardless of the geographic setting because I know that the love of Christ and that of his people will always be there. 

I have always accepted wherever I have been asked to go – though not without anguish – because in a very real sense, each parish eventually becomes family to the priest. You literally end up falling in love with the parishioners just as you have with Jesus Christ.

During my pastoral year as a seminarian I experienced such a revelation and it confirmed my calling to the priesthood. 

I was assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Virginia Beach with Monsignor Tom Caroluzza as my supervisor. I had never been away from my family, to which I am extremely close and love dearly, during Christmas. 

It dawned on me then, however, that I now wanted to be with my parish family during Christmas – I loved them as I did my own family and knew then that I wanted to be a priest more than anything in the world.

Some people ask, “What is it that a priest does?” 

It would be better to ask, “What is a priest?” The priesthood of Jesus touches every dimension of human life and is not bound by office hours or an office.  

Jesus’ priesthood is involved in every dimension of life. He has great meals with his parish family; he goes boating on the river with them; he walks beside them when they are in need; he rejoices in their celebrations (i.e., I once had parents stop by the rectory on their way home from the hospital to show me their newly born child.  I was so very touched that they wanted to include me in their excitement of having this child.) 

Yes, we are with the families when they come into the world and we are with them when they leave this world. 

No, the priesthood is not a 9 to 5 job.  I suspect most priests would admit that a hospital call in the middle of the nights is not something we rejoice about. 

In response, I might say to God:  “Can you just give me a night’s sleep?” 

I always return, however, contrite and thankful to be asked by Christ to be there for his people in their time of great need.