A Special Interview with Father Vincent
Father Vincent has been a priest for 7 years, before dedicating his life to God, he was a lawyer. Father Vincent grew up into a family with material things, he had a plan to become a lawyer, own a law firm, and make a lot of money. When father Vincent was older he achieved all of those things, but felt a calling towards God. At first he ignored the calling, but as time went on he accepted it, and became a priest. Father Vincent is an amazing priest, who cares for everyone, and everything.
Interview:
What is your favorite part about your ministry?
My favorite part of my ministry is interacting with the people. Everyday I try to bring people closer to God, through the Sacraments and Mass. Helping people with their daily struggles always with an eye to where God is in it. Always trying to deepen the relationship with God.
What convinced you that this life was right for you?
When I was young, I always had a call to the priesthood, and the call never went away. A priest once said to me; "If God is calling you to the religious vocation, and you ignore it, life will be painful." I surrendered to it and said, "God I am done fighting, but please don’t let me down". God was very patient with me, but persistent. Now that I surrendered to it, I feel a great peace.
Did you always want to be this close to God or were you more interested in secular pursuits?
Definitely secular pursuits. I was ignoring God's plan. I wanted to become a lawyer, make a lot of money, and own a law firm. All of those things came true, but again the calling to the priesthood never went away.
What is the most important part of a Priest's life?
Being present to your parish, being availible, and accessible.
What is your average day like as a priest?
I pray in the morning, have a cup of coffee and oatmeal. I pray for an hour, which is called a Holy Hour. I usually pray in my room or come to the chapel. After I pray I open the church, get ready for mass, and then I always have mass. We have to pray 5 hours a day as priests, it is called the liturgy of the hours. After mass the rest of the day can be appointments, visiting people in the nursing homes, or homebound, and meetings. Wakes, funerals, or weddings when couples ask to see me. There is a predictable part of your day and an unpredictable part of my day. It is a full day, but it is a beautiful day.
What is the biggest problem with the world today?
That it doesn't know God.
If you could tell one thing to the youth today, what would it be?
I lived in the secular so new things were always important to me, such as a new car or new gadgets, but the most important thing is to love God, love yourself, and show love to others. Make God part of your life. Don’t exclude God from your life. It starts with the parents, parents are the first teachers of faith. The greatest gift you can give you child is the gift of faith. The gift of God is what will sustain the youth throughout their lives, and in tough times.
Why is prayer so important?
Prayer is important because, I think that we have to know God is there, and that God wants to hear us and listen to us, and God wants us to talk to him while we are struggling. Prayer is also important to give thanks to God for our blessings. Having a dialogue with God acknowledges to us and to him that we know he is there. Prayer is beautiful, but really prayer is a constant dialogue with God throughout the day when we need him.
How should we go about in fulfilling the commandment to love thy neighbor?
Being kind, doing nice things, having a dialogue, understanding people with different opinions, not necessarily having to accept what they believe, but respecting what they believe. Kindness is really important. I sometimes walk by people and when you say good morning and smile, their whole demeanor changes. Think of those who are in need, and think of ways you can give.
What is the most essential part of a Christian's life?
To understand what it means to be a Christian, the Bible, the word of God the wonderful stories of the Gospel and what Jesus taught, and the to act on those things. Jesus ate with people who did not agree with him, but he sat with people to try to understand them, to try to help them get to heaven. It is essential to live a life pleasing to God. Holiness doesn't mean perfection. Holiness means we do things like kindness, and do things for your neighbor, and living a life that Christ wanted us to live.
Are Sacraments performed by non-Catholic priests valid?
If somebody is baptized by a different faith, we recognize that as a baptism. Baptism is a yes, along with Matrimony, but the Eucharist is the one sacrament where it is different, we can't receive at their church and they cannot receive at ours.
Do you believe miracles that occur outside of Catholicism are valid?
Miracles don’t occur exactly in the sense of Catholicism. I pray for miracles, I pray for people for them to get better, I always say if it is God's will. So yes miracles can happen in any faith.
What is your favorite quality of orthodoxy?
I have only been to a few orthodox services, so I don’t know much about the faith. I love the ceremonies, and it is a deep faith of knowledge and scripture.
What do you think it would take for the mending of the Great Schism?
Dialogue, and an understanding, and appreciation of their differences, and a respect for each other's position.
Do you believe people who aren't Catholic can still go to heaven?
Absolutely. We all have the opportunity to live now, because of Jesus' suffering for us and our sins. Other faiths each have one God, so they have different ways to get to heaven. Other religions can go to heaven.
Fr Vincent Interview:
https://youtu.be/O61ob130JyA?si=ccszyAkzrOUfuzMb
Written by Sophia Buckey, Religious Catalogue Editor