Seven men have begun studies at St. Joseph College Seminary this fall as they discern a vocation to the priesthood for the Diocese of Charlotte. In the front row, from left, are: Kyle Felder, John Yellico, Milo Bannasch, Patrick Byrnes, William Adderley, Liam Scott and David Billings. In the back row, from left, are: Father Joseph Yellico, Father Matthew Kauth, Bishop Michael Martin, Father Brian Becker and Father John Eckert. (Travis Burton | Catholic News Herald)
Seven men begin seminary journey with bishop’s challenge to trust God and ‘hold back nothing’
CHARLOTTE — Even when we feel unprepared, God gives us everything we need – and He expects us to use those gifts to build up His Kingdom.
That was Bishop Michael Martin’s message Sunday to a standing-room-only congregation at St. Patrick Cathedral and – in particular – to seven young men who have joined the Diocese of Charlotte’s seminary program.
William Adderley (St. Ann, Charlotte), Milo Bannasch (St. Margaret Mary, Swannanoa), David Billings and Liam Scott (St. John the Baptist, Tryon), Patrick Byrnes (St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte), Kyle Felder (St. Paul the Apostle, Greensboro), and John Yellico (St. Mark, Huntersville) are entering St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly to consider a priestly vocation while earning degrees at nearby Belmont Abbey College. They bring the total number of seminarians in the diocese’s program to 45, with 23 attending St. Joseph College Seminary.
The men gathered with their families and friends at the cathedral for Mass to celebrate the opening of the seminary year. The annual Mass – held for the first time at St. Patrick Cathedral – brought together the new class, returning seminarians and priest faculty for prayer before classes begin later this month.
Concelebrants included new vocations director Father John Eckert, vocations promoter Father Brian Becker, seminary rector Father Matthew Kauth and new cathedral rector Father Peter Ascik. Newly ordained Father Joseph Yellico, himself a graduate of St. Joseph College Seminary and brother of one of the new seminarians, also took part.
In his homily, Bishop Martin encouraged the incoming seminarians to trust God’s provision.
“God gives us all that we need,” he said, even if we feel unprepared to be His disciples.
Don’t be afraid or discouraged, he said. God gives us His limitless love and the gift of faith “to open ourselves to the holiness of God's grace,” he said.
Bishop Martin also reflected on Jesus’ words in the day’s Gospel reading (Luke 12:32-48) that challenge us to put those gifts to work in building the Kingdom of God.
“Those to whom much has been given, much is expected,” he said. “Look in the mirror and see how much you have been gifted, how much you have been graced, and then recognize much is being expected of you.”
Before the end of Mass, Bishop Martin and the other clergy present prayed over the seven new seminarians, asking for God's blessing upon them as they begin their formation journey.He addressed the men again, “My brothers, you think you're gifted enough for what you’re about to undertake? Big question – you’re going to have years to reflect upon it. But begin with the premise that God has graced you with all that you need to say yes to His call. Does that mean you will be ordained in however many years? Maybe it will, maybe it won’t, but start with the premise that if God has called you to this, He will grace you in every way that you need. Never, ever doubt that.”
God calls us all to put to work the gifts that He has given us, Bishop Martin emphasized.
“Let’s all of us continue to examine where God has graced us, where God has given us tremendous gifts and is now calling forth and saying, ‘You know, much is expected of you.’ Let’s not imagine that that’s just for somebody else. It’s for us,” he said.
Realize that God is “a God of plenty,” not “a God of scarcity who doles out grace in measured quantities. No, we believe in a God who gushes love,” he said.
“Second,” he urged the congregation, “have a spirit of gratitude” for what God gives us.
“And lastly,” he said, “be ready. Be ready to take those gifts and to do something with them that builds the Kingdom of God – not just here in church, not just when we’re studying the faith, but in every aspect of the human experience.”
“While these young men are called to a specific dynamic,” he said, “the rest of you are called to bring those gifts to every square inch of this planet.
“Hold back nothing – nothing! Much has been given to you, much is expected. We all feel ill-prepared, it’s OK.”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle