Florida Catholic | Speaking About Their Vocations

ST. PETERSBURG | Those who have never discerned a call to the priesthood or religious life might think God’s message comes in profound, extraordinary ways. They might be under the impression that once a man or woman takes vows or gives promises of obedience, the path of serving is clearly illuminated.

If a new feature on the diocesan Vocations Office Web page, “In their own words,” is any indication, that perception is very wrong. “In their own words” brings the human side of serving God. Through audio interviews, four local priests talk about their pursuit of the priesthood and life after ordination.

The audio files have the feel of a one-on-one conversation, with the men talking about their joys, frustrations and times of questioning. More personal than produced, the files keep the natural pauses, insightful moments and occasional laughter of an unrehearsed interview.

“The substance … speaks for itself,” said Father Len Plazewski, diocesan director of vocations. “That’s what comes through – the sincerity of the priests.”

Father John Blum, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in St. Pete Beach, spoke on his struggle to find balance in a day packed with ministerial and administrative responsibilities. Father Jacob Monteleone, pastor of Light of Christ Parish in Clearwater, talks about how, as a young man in the Vietnam era, he felt so overwhelmed that he left the seminary to work on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

“That was a really difficult year for me. … There was a lot of confusion,” he says during the interview. “We were in the midst of the Vietnam War. There was a lot of ferment in the nation. My spiritual director, who was a very fine priest, a Benedictine, had dropped out of the priesthood and that really shook me up.”

Father Robert Cadrecha, an associate pastor at Nativity Parish, Brandon, who soon will be serving at Espiritu Santo Parish in Clearwater, said he felt a little self-conscious doing the interview but agreed to because he’s eager to help foster vocations. Afterward, he wasn’t sure he did very well.

“When it comes to vocations, I’m at a loss for words,” he said. “When we are talking about something that has to do with God and salvation, words fall short. … I’m looking for something God’s people can relate to with words and (words are) inadequate.”

It was also kind of weird hearing his voice after the interview was on the Web, he said. He called his brother to ask what he thought and was almost dreading the response.

“I said, ‘Matt, did you see it?’” Father Cadrecha said. “He said, ‘Yeah, it’s awesome. I’m e-mailing it to all my friends.’”

More interviews will be featured on the Web site in the coming months. Carlos Briceno, who interviewed the priests, said he was surprised that none of the men expressed any regret about choosing the priesthood. They don’t have easy jobs, he said.

“The priests were so joyful about their vocations and they were very inspirational in relating how various factors – support from their families and friends, and priests in the past they respected – helped them and inspired them in their decision to become priests,” Briceno said.

Father Plazewski said adding a multimedia touch to the Office of Vocations page was a good move and that it reflects the church’s call to use media to reach people where they are in their lives.

“We’re slowly but surely getting into technology,” he said. “If Christ were here, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind sitting down and having his voice go out as an MP3 … on the Internet.”

Father Cadrecha felt his part of the project went pretty well, although he still isn’t sure his words really expressed what he felt. It was just so different from Sunday homilies, where he reflects on the Gospel and readings for a week and draw parallels to life using Jesus’ words.

He also didn’t have his favorite guide available for the interview: people in the pews who let him know when he’s making his point and when he should just stop talking.

“When people start looking at their watches (at Mass),” he said. “I do a quick ‘Amen’ and sit down.”

Return to Diocese of St. Petersburg Front Page

Other Stories