|
Dear Parishioners,
I entered Immaculate Conception Seminary in September 2007.
Studying at Immaculate Conception Seminary was of great help not only in my
formation and learning process, but also in my enculturation process and the improvement of my English.
I was ordained a deacon on May 17th,2009 and ordained as priest on May 29th, 2010.
This year has been one of great experiences and challenges.
The fact that I went to a parish no longer as a seminarian but as a deacon, helped me reflect on what my
future life as a priest would be like.
Through this year I have gained some knowledge about many things.
I can say that now I see many things in a way I did not see them before. For
example, what life in a parish is like, and that pastoral care for
those entrusted to us require careful dedication, patience and total self-giving.
I think these few days as an ordained priest have helped me to understand better or at least in a more mature way my and others' human side.
The fact that people sometimes come to me because they see hope or someone whom they can trust has helped me to see the
immense love God has for all of us, His children.
I also came to understand that being in this world together means something more than living to survive crisis and difficult situations.
I came to know that we are here to serve and to be a support for each other; we are here in this world to grow together in God's love and faith;
to be helpful to those who are in physical, psychological or spiritual need; not to judge people for their mistakes but to help them to learn from their mistakes and therefore grow.
I now know that if I want to become an excellent priest I have to be first an excellent 'human person'.
If I want to be an irreproachable minister before God's eyes, I have to become first a good practicing Christian.
I do not think I will go any further if I do not trace my path wisely and with God's help.
Understanding others' humanity with human eyes and a human heart God will divinely understand my human side also.
Leading the community in prayer has made me think about my relationship with God.
Spiritually, I have challenged myself to be an example for others and to pray more often so that I can grow in faith and help others to do likewise.
Rev. Fr. Juan Carlos Vargas
| 
