By Deacon Jonah Brox
IV Theology
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
St. Teresa Parish, Lincoln
“It’s all worth it.”
This was one of the first things I quickly learned, shortly after I began my ministry as a deacon of the Church this past summer. All the long hours of prayer, study, and time in the seminary: all worth it. It’s all worth it because it ultimately has led to the joy that comes from serving the Lord and serving you, the people of God, in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln.
I remember when I was preparing to enter the seminary seven years ago, one of the fears I had was that I had no idea how I was going to manage financially. I knew there would be opportunities for work during the summers, but how was I going to manage during the year?
Despite these financial fears, I took comfort and had peace, knowing that attending the seminary would not be a financial burden. That peace comes because of your unwavering support each year through the Bishop’s Appeal for Vocations (BAV). Thanks to your gifts to the Bishop’s Appeal for Vocations, the cost of tuition, books, and room and board are not a financial difficulty for seminarians of our diocese.
Knowing that these things are provided for us through the support of the people of our diocese is a tremendous relief and blessing. We are able to focus solely on why we entered the seminary: to discern the call of the Lord Jesus to the Priesthood and to follow where He leads us.
Discerning that call of the Lord is not easy. Thanks to your generosity, we are able to take the time in the seminary to receive the proper tools and assistance to help discern His call and be formed – God willing – into his future priests. Each day begins with prayer and Mass, and is full of classes, study, private prayer, and community recreation. It is a blessing to live together as we seek and discern the Lord’s will for us!
The time in the seminary isn’t always easy. At times I’ve even been tempted to give up. What has helped me through these moments, what has been a great source of encouragement, is knowing that I can rely on the prayers and financial support of the people of our diocese. Your encouragement, your prayers, and your love help us persevere through the difficult days. It reminds me that “it’s all worth it” in the end.
It’s worth it to persevere through those trying times so that one day, God-willing, we will be ordained priests of Jesus Christ and be “given to the world” by the Father as an alter Christus, that is, “another Christ,” to serve Him and serve you, His people.
Thank you for your past support through the Bishop’s Appeal for Vocations. I ask that you prayerfully consider making a gift to this year’s appeal. We couldn’t do it without you – I couldn’t do it without you. Your support is worth it. Your sacrificial gifts go directly toward the formation of the future priests of the Diocese of Lincoln. May God Bless you abundantly for your generosity and prayers.
