By Father Sean M. Suckiel

Where have my five years of priesthood gone? I always saw myself as a “baby priest,” but the reality is quickly fading away as 50 of my younger brothers have been ordained after me.

In just five years I have already held three assignments as parochial vicar of Blessed Trinity, Breezy Point; chaplain at Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge; and now as director of vocations of the diocese.

Throughout these five years, I have celebrated well over 2,500 Masses, over a hundred funerals and weddings, heard many confessions, performed 62 baptisms and endured one hurricane. I have put close to 70, 000 ministry miles on my car driving all over Brooklyn and Queens.

Many nights in the seminary, I always wondered what priesthood would be like for me? Would I be happy as a priest? What would be my joys? What would be my challenges? Where would priesthood lead me? What friendships would I make as a priest? Now, after five years, I can begin to find answers to these questions.

‘It’s Not About Me’

The important lesson that I quickly learned after ordination is: It’s not about me! Quite often, my heart and mind go back to the experience that I had early on in my priesthood when Hurricane Sandy destroyed my parish community. In just minutes, our entire community was destroyed, and what was left was debris and displaced families. How angry and hurt I was at God for allowing all this to happen! I couldn’t show that to the people because more than ever they needed the presence of Christ. They needed to regain the strength that comes from faith to rebuild their homes and community.

But nature’s worst didn’t outshine God’s grace for me. Quickly the Holy Spirit taught me that priesthood is not just what I can do sacramentality behind the altar. It became apparent that in my priesthood I need to recognize His presence in the brokenness of the community and realize that we are all in this together. My priesthood became enriched when I was able to see the face of Christ in the community.

Pope St. John Paul II tells us that priesthood is a gift. This tragedy of Hurricane Sandy has turned into one of the greatest gifts of my priesthood. It was a most painful experience for so many. We know the Lord uses those moments of pain and suffering to strengthen us. In the midst of that pain, there has been love and renewal, rebuilding and rebirth.

A Joy and Privilege

While my priesthood has faced its many challenges, it is filled with tremendous joy. Because the joy that I get from celebrating the sacraments is also the same joy of recognizing Christ in the smiling faces of the people I see at Mass. How I’ve enjoyed recognizing the precious gift of being part of the lives of schoolchildren. I’ve watched and challenged teenagers to grow in their faith, and I’ve tried to be the face of “The Church” for many of them who struggle to truly find Christ. I’ve had the joy and privilege of watching a young couple fall deeper in love with each other and with God as they approach their wedding day.

Indeed, I never expected so many beautiful moments to fill my priesthood. I never expected my priesthood to be so necessary to people and so fulfilling for me. I never expected so much joy in just five years.

Too often we all get caught up worrying about low Mass attendance, the priest shortage and how more and more young men are not making this vocation an option in their lives. As I reflect on these moments of my priesthood, I can honestly say that yes, priesthood is truly worth it and necessary. If more men actually saw the beauty and awesomeness of priesthood, and how much people love their priests, I believe more men would respond courageously to this call.

I encourage everyone in the Diocese of Brooklyn to begin now to pray for the success of the “Year of Vocations” starting on Aug. 4. Each of us is called to inspire and “reawaken the call” in our young people, reminding them that religious vocations are not a choice just for themselves, but a “yes” for the community because we are truly all in this together.

Editor’s Note: As part of the diocesan Year of Vocations, The Tablet is planning a weekly series on vocations beginning in August.