Eucharistic Devotions 2025 - Opening Mass

 As we open our weekend of Eucharistic Devotions, we celebrate a votive mass for the Most Holy Eucharist to honor God for the gift of the Eucharist. The Scriptures of the mass also help us to enter into what God is doing in our midst.

The Book of Proverbs tells us that “Wisdom has built her house… she has spread her table.” 

As a parish, we have wisely been preparing for this weekend. The work of preparation—placing flowers, lighting candles, adorning the altar—echoes the words of Scripture: Wisdom has indeed set her table, and now she invites us to come, to eat, to drink, to receive the Lord’s gift of life. People of God wisely set the table of our hearts for the Lord to come and dine.

In the Psalm we find another image of food. The Lord is my shepherd…he leads me to restful waters… You spread the table before me…he refreshes my soul.

We recognize that it is the Lord who draws us to these hours of adoration. And for those who take part in them, they will be restful and refreshing. In the hours of silence, and in our recitation of the liturgy of the hours—we allow our souls to breathe, we lay down our burdens and concerns and longings of the heart, and allow the Lord, Our Shepherd, to refresh us. The hours of prayer we give to the Lord are not empty time; they are refreshment for the heart.

Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus reveals the heart of this weekend: “I am the bread of life. Whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” What we honor and adore is not a mere symbol or memory—it is Jesus himself, living and present, giving us his Body and Blood. This devotion is meant to deepen our faith: faith that the Eucharist is truly Christ; faith that to receive him is to receive eternal life; faith that his flesh given for the world is our hope of salvation.

So let us enter this weekend with grateful hearts. Let us sit at the table Wisdom has prepared, let us rest beside the waters that refresh the soul, and let us believe ever more deeply in the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist for us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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In union with Christ, who offers himself as living bread, we offer our prayers of petition:

For the Church, nourished by the Eucharist: that she may always proclaim with joy the presence of Christ in our midst. 

For peace in our world: that the Body of Christ may unite all peoples in justice, reconciliation, and harmony. 

For our parish community as we begin this weekend of Eucharistic Devotions: that our time of prayer may deepen our love for the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament. 

For all who hunger and thirst—in body or in spirit: that they may be satisfied by Christ, who is the Bread of Life. 

For the sick, the lonely, and those carrying heavy burdens: that their souls may be refreshed by the Shepherd who leads us beside restful waters. 

For our beloved dead, who were nourished at the Eucharistic table on earth: that they may now share in the banquet of eternal life.

For the prayers we offer in the silence of our hearts, and for…for whom this mass is offered.

Loving Father, you feed us with the Body and Blood of your Son, the living bread from heaven. Hear our prayers, and grant us the grace always to remain close to Him, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - Last Supper and Eucharist foreshadowed

This weekend, we begin a five-week stretch of reading from chapter 6 of St. John’s Gospel in which the Lord feeds the large crowd through the miracle of multiplication then teaches them about the Bread of Life. This passage introduces us to concepts the Lord will realize at the Last Supper when he institutes the Eucharist.

Many non-Catholics deny that the Gospel of the miraculous multiplication has any connection with what Catholics the Sacrament of the Eucharist. But the connections are overwhelming.

First of all, notice that John records Jesus performing this miracle on Passover. Passover—the same jewish feast on which Jesus institutes the Eucharist at the Last supper.

Secondly, note that for this miracle Jesus sits down with his disciples on the mountain, just as later he sits with disciples on Mount Zion to celebrate the Last Supper. His posture is a connection with the Last supper.

And not only his posture, but note that commands the people to recline. At the last supper we read of St. John reclining on the breast of Jesus. It’s the only other time that posture is highlighted in the entire Gospel. 

Fourthly, note that at the heart of the miracle account, John describes Jesus multiplying the loaves by utilizing specific actions. he takes the loaves and gives thanks—identical actions to those at the Last Supper. And recall that the Greek word for giving thanks is “Eucharisteo”, which was the early church word for the celebration of the Mass.

John also describes the remains that were left over after the multiplication—the klasmata—in the Greek—the parts broken off—which echoes the Last Supper accounts of Jesus “breaking the bread” into fragments.

In the teaching that follows throughout the remainder of John chapter 6, which, again, we’ll be reading over the next four weeks, we’ll see even more themes that are repeated in the Last Supper. For example, in two weeks, we’ll hear of Jesus teaching about the need to eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have eternal life. Jesus foreshadows his own changing of bread and wine into his flesh and blood at the last supper and commanding his disciples to do this in memory of him.

With so many clear connections to the Last Supper and our church doctrine on the Eucharist, why do non-Catholic fail to get the point? Why do these insist on a non-Eucharistic reading of John Chapter six? It’s likely because they have separated themselves from the Church’s celebration of the Eucharist. They have done away with bishops who can ordain priests who alone can confect the Eucharist. So they falsely interpret the scriptures based on their separation from the deposit of faith.

But the Catholic Church, going all the way back to the apostolic age, has taught the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Consider the words of St. Justin Martyr from the year 150, whose feast day was back on the first day of June.

And this is a bit of a long passage, but it’s so fascinating. St. Justin writes, “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles (the Gospels), or the writings of the prophets (like our first reading) are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the presider verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things (as I’m doing now, in the homily). Then, we all rise together and pray (like we’ll do in the general intercessions), and…when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the presider in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings…and the people assent, saying “Amen”; and there is a distribution to each, and a partaking of the eucharisted substances, and to those who are absent, a portion is sent by the deacons.

So already in the year 150, we see the structure of the mass that we celebrate today.

And this food is called among us eucharistia, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things we teach are true…For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but…we have been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word…is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks said, “Do this in remembrance of me, this is my body” and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, “This is my blood” and gave it to them alone."

So the doctrine of the real presence, is also clearly articulated in 150, just a few decades after the death of the last apostle.

Now consider what our second reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians adds to the conversation here. In the second reading Paul urged the Ephesians to strive for unity. This is why denominationalism and schism are not from God—Christians are not to separate ourselves from the teachings of the apostles. St. Paul urges unity, because Jesus at the last supper taught his apostles to remain as one, as he and the Father are one. 

And it is not a coincidence that the Lord’s own teaching on unity occurred while he was instituting the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the great sacrament of unity in which all people of all places are invited to believe and partake. Now of course, you should not partake, as St. Justin said, if you do not believe, if you are not part of the communion of the Catholic church. 

This is why we have the RCIA process each year. Every year hundreds of thousands of non-Catholics around the world hear the Lord calling them to the communion he emphasized at the last supper in order to be fed with the Bread of Life. 

Here at St. Ignatius RCIA, which will be called OCIA henceforth, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, will begin mid-September. So get praying now for that non-Catholic friend who is searching for a spiritual home. Perhaps say a novena for them, or a daily rosary for them, or make a holy hour for them, come and kneel before the Blessed Sacrament and pray that they can respond to Jesus’ invitation. And then, give them the OCIA flyer in a few weeks. Tell them that you’ll accompany them, if they’d like—how they’ll no doubt find the thing that they have been looking for, here. 

Last week, I asked you all to read through and try memorizing the 23rd Psalm. I’d love to hear how that went for you. But, consider how even that Psalm foreshadows the Eucharist. How our Divine Shepherds walks with us through the dark valleys and leads us to the table at which he feeds us for our earthly journey that we make come to the eternal banquet of heaven. There are so many souls whom he wants to lead here, to the table of the Eucharist. By our Eucharistic celebration may become effective instruments of our shepherd, instruments of Eucharistic faith, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - The Lord is my shepherd

 In the scripture readings this weekend, we read of several instances of shepherds. 

In the first reading, Jeremiah criticized the shepherds of Israel—the kings and priests who were misleading the people. Instead of shepherding God’s people according to God’s law, these wicked shepherds were misleading and exploiting God’s people for their personal profit. Bad shepherds!

But our responsory sang of the Lord as the good shepherd of his people—the divine shepherd who leads and feeds and gathers and protects.

And in the Gospel, St. Mark describes the crowd as sheep without a shepherd. So Jesus begins to teach them. If we were to continue reading from St. Mark, we would read how the good shepherd then feeds the flock through a miracle of multiplying loaves of bread and fish.

God is a shepherd. Jesus in the Gospels even describes himself as the good shepherd. Our leaders are shepherds—they might be good shepherds, they might be bad shepherds. And we are shepherds. Every Christian is a shepherd, we are to shepherd souls to God. We are to feed, teach, gather, and protect those in our care and those wandering through dark valleys. The question is: will you, personally, be a good shepherd or bad shepherds. Will you lead people to God or abandon them to sin and error. May God help us to be good shepherds.

One of the great shepherds of my life was my grandfather, my mother’s father—Joe DeRubertis. Grandpa DeRubertis was a shepherd in many ways. He was such a leader of our family life and teacher of our history and culture and practical knowledge. So often we would be gathered at his table and sheltered under his roof.

My grandfather was one of four children of Italian immigrants. He was born here in Cleveland after his parents—Carmella and Luigi—come over from Campobasso through Ellis Island. His father, my great grandfather DeRubertis, built houses, and eventually saved up enough money to buy a farm out in Madison. And so my grandfather inherited that strong work ethic and practical skills of building and farming that he passed on to his family. Grandpa was very proud of his Italian heritage—and so there was always pasta, and homemade sausage, and homemade sauce, and wine and cheese, and music and certainly passed on his…appreciation of these fine things to us. And having served in the United States Army during World War II, he also passed on a deep love of country and civic responsibility. He’s probably why I get so teary-eyed on the civil holidays and can can’t sing our patriotic songs without getting choked-up. 

And grandpa was also a man of devout faith. I’ve shared before how he and grandma would go out of their way to pick me up and bring me to mass every Sunday morning. This weekend’s psalm was also very near and dear to my grandfather’s heart. He commissioned a calligrapher to write out the 23rd Psalm in beautiful calligraphy and he gave out dozens of copies of the work to friends and family, one of which hangs in my quarters over in the rectory. 

He really was one of the great shepherds—like the divine shepherd described in the psalm. Grandpa sheltered us, fed us, taught us, he gathered us. He’s no doubt one of the reasons why I’m a priest today—trying my best to shepherd you all. 

Grandpa’s been gone for 10 years now, and it’s sad to see how the family has scattered some—the absence of the shepherd has led to everybody going their own ways. But that is one reason why our faith is so important. Whether you had a strong family life or a weak or broken one, faith is so importance, because we are all members of a very scattered humanity. Especially these days, as the social fabric has deteriorated, next door neighbors might not have much to do with each other. The Good shepherd gathers his people—gathers all of us no patter our past—to be a people marked by faith and divine worship and love of Him and neighbor.

And this is one reason why the Good Shepherd has commanded his people to gather every week for Church, no matter what. It’s a divine commandment to keep holy the Lord’s Day. It’s a not a suggestion. The Lord doesn’t issue this command with a wink and a nod. Neither vacation nor sporting event, neither house guest nor family reunion, dispenses us from the shepherd’s law. Refusing to fulfill the Sunday obligation to come here to the shepherd’s house, to refuse that even once, is a serious sin that must be confessed in sacramental confession.

But again, why does the shepherd gather us? Well, to feed us, and teach us, and form us, and protect us, and lead us to the everlasting banquet. He wants us here because he longs for us. He longs for communion with us. He longs for us to become the people he made us to be. And that starts here. At the restful waters, he refreshes us from the weariness of living in this modern world. It’s here that he gives us divine protection from all the forces that assault us every day. He leads us away from idols and artificial substitutes which leave us empty and sad, and he feeds us with the Bread of life.

Speaking of being fed by the Lord, over the next five weeks, starting next Sunday, we are going to take a summer break from the Gospel of Mark in order to read from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John—the Lord’s feeding of the five thousand and his discourse on the Bread of Life. 

But, today’s scripture readings—wet our appetite—they are a very good introduction to get us thinking about the Bread of Life. Particularly that 23rd Psalm. The Lord is at our side through the dark valleys in order to lead us to the banquet. He walks with us during the dark times, even in the sight of our foes, and leads us here—to the table. He leads us to the table where we can be refreshed and strengthened with food from heaven—the food which enables us to come to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. In the Eucharist, Christ the Good Shepherd has made himself into the food for the journey that guards our souls from earthly trials unto eternal life.

This upcoming week, I invite you to try something. I want you to try to emorize the 23rd Psalm. You’ve memorized the hail mary, you’ve memorized the Our Father. Memorize this passage from scripture. It’s one of those passages that’s so good to be able to recall during those difficult moments of life. When you memorize scripture, you internalize it, it becomes part of you. And this psalm can give you a great confident in the shepherd’s closeness to you. Learning the words of “The Lord is my shepherd” will help you to better know the shepherd, and where exactly he’s leading you, and leading us. 

Try it. For it will help you to become the shepherd God made you to be—for your family, for your neighbors, for your fellow parishioners—those who need you to be the shepherds God made you to be.

In the Gospel, Jesus says, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” And that’s an invitation—an invitation that he makes to each one of us, to withdraw from the noise of the world, and be refreshed. And going to a quiet place, with some scripture, like the 23rd psalm, and reflecting on it, even memorizing it, will bring you calm and peace, like nothing else. 

The Lord desires every day to lead us to restful waters and to the table of life. May we follow where our shepherd leads us in all things and in every way for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

5th Week of Lent 2024 - Monday - Susanna, the sinful woman, and the Shepherd

Our two readings this morning—that of Susanna and the woman caught in adultery are linked by the beautiful responsorial Psalm—psalm 23rd—the great shepherd psalm—in which our merciful God is depicted as a shepherd who provides guidance, protection, assurance, and deliverance.

Psalm 23 begins with the powerful affirmation, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." In these words, we find solace in the shepherd's provision, knowing that God cares for our every need. Similarly, Susanna and the adulterous woman both experience God's provision and care in their moments of desperation. Susanna finds vindication and deliverance from false accusations, while the adulterous woman encounters the merciful forgiveness of Jesus, who protects her from the stones of condemnation.

As the psalmist declares, "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." In Susanna's story and the encounter with the adulterous woman, we witness the transformative power of God's mercy and forgiveness. Both women experience restoration and guidance as they encounter the divine presence in their darkest moments. Through the prophet Daniel and the compassionate words of Jesus, they are led on the paths of righteousness and offered a new beginning.

Psalm 23 continues with the comforting assurance, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." In Susanna's trial and the Woman Caught in Adultery's moment of condemnation, they find themselves in the valley of darkness, facing imminent danger and death. Yet, God's presence is their comfort and strength. Through Daniel's intervention and Jesus' merciful intervention, they are delivered from harm.

Finally, Psalm 23 concludes with the proclamation, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Encountering the Lord’s mercy, both women are able to begin a new life, especially the woman caught in adultery. She is invited by the Lord not to return to her former life of sin, but to “go and sin no more”—to a life in which she strives to live free of sin—as all Christians are called to do.

May our Lenten journey help us and all people to encounter more deeply the shepherding care of the Lord—in times of trial, his deliverance, in times of sin, his mercy, and the promise of eternal life with him forever, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. 

For those without faith, those with hearts hardened toward God, and for those searching for Him.

For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.

That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.

September 19 2023 - St. Januarius - Courage in the Dark Valleys

 There is a very unique relic connected to the feast of Januarius, a vial of the saint’s blood, which has dried up.  However, several times a year, including today, his feast day, the relic is brought out for public veneration, and the blood liquefies.  This miracle has been occurring for over 600 years and it’s one of the most scientifically studied religious phenomenon in the world.  Scientists have been unable to explain this miracle.  

This feast is celebrated with great festivity in Naples where he is called “San Gennaro”. Over a million people will gather in the Little Italy section of New York City today for festivities. This year is the 97th annual San Gennaro festival in New York.  Italians in San Francisco have also begun to hold annual festivals for San Gennaro. 

Januarius was a bishop of the early church in Benevento, Italy, the home town of Bishop Pilla’s family, and not too far from where my own grandparents families were from.  Januarius was martyred in the last major persecution by the Roman Empire, that of Emperor Diocletian.  

It is said, the Bishop was arrested while visiting a fellow Christian who had been imprisoned for his faith and was awaiting execution. Can you imagine? This holy bishop, walking into a prison, to comfort and encourage a fellow Christian was would be killed for the faith!

Christians cannot live in fear of the worldly powers that can end our earthly lives. We cannot allow fear to silence our preaching of the Gospel, standing for truth amidst the errors of the world. It is not the logic of our argumentation that will win most souls, but the courage the animates us in standing against the powers of darkness. 

There are dimensions of each of our lives where we are tempted to recoil in fear—fear of speaking truth, fear of sharing faith, fear of reaching out in love. The first step of growing in courage is admitting your fears, admitting them to yourself and to God. And once you’ve admitted your fears, you can begin to stand against them, and to allow the Lord to lead you through those dark valleys. 

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are at my side.”

May the holy martyrs encourage us in our share of the mission of the Gospel, emboldening us to seek out souls lost in the darkness, in facing the darkness in our own souls, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That Pope Francis and all Bishops and Clergy may humbly and faithfully pass on the Gospel of Christ in all its fullness. 

That young people may be kept safe from the poisonous attitudes of the world and that they and their families may be kept in close friendship with the Lord Jesus and his Church.

For the conversion of hardened sinners, those who have fallen away from the Church, and for an increase in virtue for all peoples.

 

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families. 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

4th Sunday of Easter 2021 - The Good Shepherd Feeds, Guides, and Protection + Vocation Sunday

 In Saint John’s Gospel, Jesus uses many different titles and images to describe himself.  “I am the bread of life” he says.  “I am the vine, you are the branches”?  “I am the resurrection and the life,” “I am the Way, the truth, and the life”?  In today’s Gospel Jesus uses a very tender image, when he says, “I am the good shepherd.”

Several Good Shepherds are found throughout Scriptures.  Abel, son of Adam, was the first shepherd in human history.  For bringing to God the firstlings of his flock, the Lord looked favorably on Abel and his offering; yet tragically Abel also became human history’s first murder victim, killed by his jealous brother Cain.  

Abraham was a shepherd, as was Jacob.  So was Jacob’s favorite son Joseph, who was shepherding his father’s flock when he was betrayed by his brothers.  Moses was shepherding his Father-in-law’s flock when he stumbled across the burning. Before becoming king of Israel, David was a shepherd.  And the prophet Amos was a shepherd before being sent by God to denounce Israel’s idolatry and hallow prosperity.

Shepherds who were murdered, shepherds who became kings, shepherds who gave God’s law and spoke in the name of the Father, shepherds who became heads of great families.  In Jesus, we see all these things wrapped up into one.  He is a shepherd who was a prophet, who revealed God’s Law, who was also betrayed and murdered, yet also a King, and head of the great family, the Church.

Scripture describes God Himself as a Shepherd.   The 23rd Psalm is probably the most beautiful literary expression of God’s shepherding care.  The Psalm tells us that God is the Shepherd who feeds us in green pastures, who leads us to safety, who protects us in dark valleys.  He feeds, he guides, he protects.

On the 4th Sunday of Easter, ever year, we read from the 10th chapter of St. John, and recall that Jesus IS the Good Shepherd, who feeds, guides, and protects.

How does he feed us?  The 23rd Psalm says that he “prepares a table for us in the midst of our foes”.  Amidst all of the evils of the world, the good Shepherd gathers us to be fed by his Word. For “not on bread alone does man live, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  We are then fed with the supersubstantial bread of the Eucharist. Without this food, the flesh and blood of our Lord, we do not have life within us.

Secondly, Jesus the Good Shepherd guides his flock.  The 23rd Psalm says, “he leads us in right paths for his name’s sake.”  How does he lead and guide us? He certainly leads by example. He teaches us by the virtue and goodness of His own life, how to give ourselves away in self-sacrifice. We are to be poor in spirit as he was poor in spirit. We are to be pure of heart as he was pure of heart. We are to work for peace, feed the hungry, cure the sick, preach the word, pray, as he. By studying the faith, by following in Jesus’ own footsteps, by looking to the example of the saints, we learn how to walk rightly. Jesus guides us to become the people God made us to be, and shows us what it really means to love one another and love God.  

Finally, Jesus the Good Shepherd protects his flock.  Jesus tells us that there are thieves and robbers who seek to steal, slaughter, and destroy His flock. There are wolves who want to seize and scatter the flock.  Yet, at his Holy Name it is the thieves, robbers, and wolves who scatter. Demons flee at the mention of his name.  We can be assured that any evil we must face, we face with him at our side.  The Christian is never alone.  When we are assailed by the fiery arrows of the enemy, we have the protection of his grace. When we are bombarded with the worldly errors that we draw us away from the Truth, he protects us by sending his apostles and prophets into our lives. In the moment of temptation, he protects us by sending his Holy Angels to remind us of our Christian identity. When we begin to despair of our salvation due to our many sins, he protects us by reminding us to hope in his promises.

The Good Shepherd does not fail to feed, guide, and protect his flock; rather the unhappiness and sin in our lives is always a result of failing to head our shepherd’s voice.

This Sunday is a special World Day of Prayer for vocations to the priesthood.  As I mentioned last week, the Church needs men who believe rightly, teaching rightly, and practice rightly. This week we pray that the Good Shepherd might inspire many young men to become shepherds in the new millennium.  We need priests who will feed and guide and protect the flock, don’t we? 

The Good Shepherd continues to call young men to serve the Church as priests and all of us have a responsibility to help them hear the shepherd’s invitation.  Parents, grandparents, god parents, encourage your sons to prayerfully incline their ear to the shepherd’s voice—the consider the calling to the priesthood—to be the shepherds the Church needs.

The Diocese of Cleveland is blessed to have one of the greatest seminary systems in the country, and honestly, probably the world. I know for a fact that there are Vatican Cardinals who look to Cleveland to see how Cleveland has been so successfully in attracting so many young men to discern the priesthood, and how we are retaining so many young men.

As Bishop Pilla would often say, our seminary attracts young men who could be very successful in the different professions—men who could be doctors, lawyers, professors, movers and shakers. And yet good young men in our diocese continue year after year, to take the risk, to devote the time to discern God’s call. It is certainly a sure sign that the Holy Spirit is at work, when a very talented and gifted young man dares to ask the question, is God calling me to a life of holy ecclesiastical service? Is the Shepherd calling me to shepherd?

Our culture is becoming increasingly secular, and we need men to help us remain faithful to the Master—men who will proclaim the unchanging Good News of Jesus Christ and its bold message of salvation with conviction. May God raise up many good and holy priests to help us be holy, to help us work out our salvation, to equip us for the work the Master has for each one of us—to be his instruments in the world, that He may feed, guide, and protect others through us for the glory of God and salvation of souls.