Next Show Airs:
Saturday, June 8, 2013
5:30 a.m. and Noon
on WKBW-TV Channel 7
Today’s Priests
By Paula De Angelis
What does it mean to be a priest? I’m sure we have all wondered this from time to time. What better way to find the answer than to ask a priest. So I did.
“I’m convinced that certain people have an idea of what it means to be a priest,” said Fr. Sean Paul Fleming. “I’m reminded of this every time someone tells me I ‘only work weekends!’ The things that are obvious traits of the priesthood are the fundamentals—prayer, preaching and the celebration of the Sacraments—the things most people encounter on the weekend. The life of a priest goes far beyond Sunday, though.”
Fr. Sean Paul continues, “Building on our lives of prayer, I think the priest is called in a great many ways to act as a representative of Christ, to bring to life the words he preaches and the faith he professes with the Church on the weekend into the other six days of the week. I think priests are called to live for one moment, one person or situation that they can encounter to make present the love and compassion of Christ. This is not unique since all Christians are called to do this, but the priest is called forth by God to be able to do this in very unique and powerful ways.”
“As the Church continues to evolve and grow, so does the role of the priest,” comments Fr. Jeff. “This isn't the priesthood of 50 years ago. At one time, the priest did everything. Today, that isn't the case. The priest, while having a very important and unique role, is also called to collaborate with many others in order to bring about the best ministry and most effective parish management possible. I think it is difficult for many to embrace this changing model precisely because change is difficult. Yet, as priests, we are called to continue to journey forward with the Church. However, no matter how much the times change, there is still one thing that is central to the priesthood which has lasted the ages: the Eucharist!”
Learn more about today’s priests as Fr. Paul D. Seil, host of Our Daily Bread is joined in the kitchen by Fr. Jeff Nowak and Fr. Sean Paul Fleming who are classmates and who have both been on the show before becoming a priest. The topic at hand: Newly Ordained priests and what they face today. On the menu: Shrimp appetizer, Polish Kielbasa with Sweet and Sour Cabbage and Pot of Gold cookies. So tune in Saturday June 8, 2013 at 5:30 a.m. and noon on WKBW-TV Ch. 7 to celebrate Father’s day with these newly ordained priests. And remember to check the recipe tab for all the day’s dishes.