I am writing this article about my call to be a priest on June 7, the very day that I was ordained some 42 years ago. 

There are many ingredients that lead to my call to the priesthood. It is almost like God’s great recipe to follow him. 

I was blessed to have a mom and dad who encouraged me and all my siblings to follow the path that would lead us to serving others. The best example was their example. They believed in their faith and the nourishing of it. We had family prayer every night and my dad was a daily communicant. I often went with him to early morning Mass and I began to have such a love of that mystery that I wanted somehow to be a part of it.

Our folks used to leave books out for us to read and one book caught my eye. I grew up in a Dominican parish and got to meet many missionaries. Their lives intrigued me. 

One day I picked up a book on Father Damien, the leprosy priest, who this year, on October 11, was canonized a saint. When I read his fantastic story, I wanted to experience the Congregation to which he belonged. Little did I know that the East Coast Province of the Congregation was in Fairhaven, Mass. 

The rest is a beautiful adventure that has made me a religious of the Sacred Hearts by serving as a missionary priest.

I became a priest to serve the poor, to preach and to teach the love of God as experienced in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. The priesthood that I enjoy has made me a person who works to draw the people I serve into being a community. Priestly life has taught me the need for inclusiveness of the people in presenting the Lord’s message to the world. The involvement of the laity has taught me that all of us are responsible to bring Jesus to the world through our giftedness.

I have been a retreat master for the past 30 years. I have traveled extensively and, I have to say, this is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I marvel at the way the Gospel changes people of every color, creed, and nationality. This year alone I had two people attend retreats I gave in parishes; one had been away from the Church for 50 years and the other for 55 years. 

It is often during the sacraments of Eucharist, healing and reconciliation when I feel closest to Christ. I can remember many moments when I have experienced the presence of the Lord. This entire adventure with Christ has taught me the need to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus and to give hope to those whom Christ puts in my way. 

People have always shown me the way to Christ. They have done it by forgiving my brokenness, encouraging my gifts used for the Lord, and by supporting me in the times I needed strength to go on. People have also helped me by encouraging the good things that help me grow and also by letting me know the negative things I do that disturb. All of this makes me feel appreciated and a part of the community.

Trying to give a reflection about the priesthood in a few words has really made me think of thousands of ways I have been blessed, but all my experiences of growing, learning, sadness, joy and disappointment wouldn’t fit on this page. I can say for sure that I would not trade my life as a religious priest of the Sacred Hearts for anything. It has been a joy to have been given this gift by Almighty God.

I am the richest man in the world because I belong to Jesus Christ. Thanks for letting me share. Think about joining us. I’ll be praying for you. 

Sacred Hearts Father McElroy is pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Fairhaven.