If I were asked to define the call of the Christian, I would answer that the above title is the quintessential vocation of the Christian. 

As baptized members of the Mystical Body of Christ, each of us is called to fulfill this great Commandment in various ways. 

For me personally, I realized this responsibility of the Christian and responded by answering the call to follow as an ordained priest. I suppose, however, that it was the examples of parish priests who sought to bring their parishioners closer to Christ by their kind words, sage advice and holiness of life that ultimately led me to hear that tiny whisper to follow the Good Shepherd. 

In July of this year, I marked eight years of ordained ministry. That might not seem like a long time but for me it is and each moment has been all about loving and being loved in return. I am a firm believer that when a bishop gives a priest an assignment it is with the understanding that he must fulfill these two primary tasks and when done to one’s best ability, leaving can hurt. 

This past November, I was informed that I was being transferred, effective almost immediately, from Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich to assume the position of director of Pastoral Care at St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford. I had spent five-and-a-half years at Corpus Christi Parish, a place I called home and in one brief moment it seemed as if I was being ripped from my family: taken from those whom I love dearly and taken from those whom I believed loved me in return. I felt as if I was being taken from my family. 

It hurt, but, then, doesn’t love sometimes hurt? It was not the type of hurt that is experienced when one gets stung by a bee or experiences the ill effects of some sort of trauma. The type of hurt that I personally experienced was like that of losing a loved one to earthly death. 

It was at this moment and in the months that passed that I would realize that parish ministry has strengthened my prayer life, my love and devotion of our eucharistic Lord and most importantly love for God’s chosen people, his Church. It especially forced me to re-evaluate why I answered the call to ordained ministry. It was to love and to be loved. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the parish. Why? The unpredictability. I could plan my day and schedule all sorts of things but sometimes none of that would matter. Each and every day as a parish priest, I never quite could predict what might be lurking around the corner: an unscheduled appointment that would require an immense amount of pastoral sensitivity; an untimely death that would rock the already fragile faith of one who had been estranged from the Church; or perhaps attempting to comfort one who feels totally isolated from the community.

Of course, parish life does not always involve trauma and tragedy. Hearing the great news that someone who had been unemployed for such a long time finally was hired; sharing the joy of a couple who after many attempts at pregnancy get the news that they are going to be parents; even hearing that someone who was at the point of death is stable and is expected to make a full recovery. The life of the parish priest is all about being part of a family. 

When I was first addressed as “Father” on July 14, 2001, I had no idea what that really meant. Eight years into my ministry, I’m beginning to understand what it is all about. The father leads; the father listens; the father protects; the father helps; but most importantly, the father loves. 

It is my fervent prayer that throughout the remainder of my ministry, no matter what that might be, whether it is in a parish or even in a hospital where I now serve, I may always remember that unique call “to love and to be loved.” The life of the priest is one of such immense joy and fulfillment when this is the guiding principle that leads and guides the life of the priest.

Father Thibault was ordained in 2001 and is director of Pastoral Care at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.