Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers
dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1) These are precisely my sentiments and motivation
after having recently returned from the recent Symposium entitled, "Stir into
Flame", on the Vocation to the Catholic Priesthood in the African American
Community. Several black priests and a strong representation of black bishops
all became "One in Mind and Heart" through our deliberate sharing in relaxed
conversations, prayerful Eucharistic celebrations, and some challenging goal
setting led by Dr. Don Pope-Davis, vice president and associate provost at the
University of Notre Dame. We were all empowered to bear open our souls-and be
"in touch" with how we initially received our invitation to follow Christ and be
like him through the Sacrament of Holy Orders/Ordination as men of
African-American descent.
The symposium allowed many of us, who knew each
other only as seminarians but later as dynamic and active priests, to reunite
and support one another again. Though we are in unique ministry assignments
throughout the country, we have been called to unify our efforts and let God's
Spirit enlighten us to empower and foster other black vocations. I recall, how I
was the only black seminarian in my diocese of Lexington, KY and being so
relieved and blessed to have gotten support from colleagues such as now Fr.
Bozeman, Fr. Jeffery Ott, and Fr. Fred Briers which we all were members of the
NBCSA (National Black Catholic Seminarians Association). Any times that we
gathered, or went on retreat together we fostered a kinship and forged a
strength to know that we were to make it-Christ has blessed us to know that even
through the struggles, we are "Too Blessed to be Stressed and that any Set-Back
was only a Set-Up for more graces and blessings"!
During our time together, with the African American
Bishops and the Spiritual Guidance of our ancestors *(The Late Fr. Augustus
Tolton), and the wisdom of some young black prospects who were or had at least
contemplated a vocation to the priesthood, we seemed to rally well responding to
an intrinsic urgency to "CLAIM the VOCATIONAL HARVEST" that Christ has entrusted
to us to seek and find!!! We cannot be satisfied with our few responses alone,
but we must continue to work diligently, pray steadfastly and creatively invite
others to know the fullness of their lives in the manner in which God is calling
them. Bishop Perry of the Archdiocese of Chicago encouraged us to see the sacred
mystery in our priesthood that is entirely Eucharistic and will enable us to
feed others as we contemplate him more in our lives. We understand that certain
African-American teens of this generation may need specific kinds of mentoring
to empower them despite a 'fatherless' background in order for them to know
there is so much value in sacrifice regardless of if they have a father to model
to them or not. We have to encourage families to welcome this unique vocation.
We have to be up to date in our delivery and contemporary and relevant to the
needs of the younger black community as well.
My hope is that with the goals we have set and
claimed at the end of the Symposium, we will come back in a year having
completed them and return even more excited and fulfilled with this NEW FIRE we
have all received and experienced together!!! May God bless the spirit-led
efforts of the NBCSA, NBCCC, our Black Bishops and Institute for Church Life of
the University of Notre Dame. Indeed all things are possible with God.
Many Abundant Blessings through Christ,
Fr. Norman A. Fischer Jr.
St. Peter Claver, Pastor
Lexington Catholic High School, Chaplain
Diocese of Lexington, KY
