"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" - Acts 13:2-3
I was ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ by Bishop Robert N. Lynch. He was ordained to the Episcopate by Archbishop Favalora. Archbishop Favalora was ordained a bishop by Archbishop Pio Laghi who was ordained by Amleto Giovanni Cardinal Cignani and on and on it goes. This is what it means to say that we are an Apostolic Church. The lineage of the laying on of hands for ordained ministry can be traced back to the times of the apostles.
However, this laying on of hands isn't just a lineage of clergy. We can each trace back those who have perhaps prayed over us, placed a hand on our head and blessed us. Perhaps our youth ministers or friends, parents or grandparents. The fact that you and I have the gift of faith today is a consequence of another choosing to impart that grace to us in the past. I invite you today to consider continuing that unbroken chain of passing on faith, grace and prayer to another.
Who is the Lord inviting me to share Him with today?
Jesus, thank You for the gift of faith that I have received.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here
