Reflections of a First-year Priest and A Call for Prayer and Support 

Reflections on the Journey as a First-Year Priest

This week, I am pleased to share a guest blog post from Father Bryan Bangs who was ordained last year. In this reflection, Father Bryan shares the joys and challenges of his first year as a priest.

Father Bangs reflects on his first year of priesthood, filled with moments of grace, growth, and joy. From presiding over funerals and weddings to hearing confessions and administering the Anointing of the Sick, he shares a front-row seat to the pivotal moments in people’s journeys of faith. Grateful for the gift of the priesthood and the guidance of his family, mentors, and Jesus, he continues to embrace God’s calling with joy and humility.

On June 1st, I celebrated my first anniversary of priestly ordination. As I look back upon this past year, my predominant emotion is that of gratitude.

The first great grace of my priesthood was, of course, my first Mass. Providentially, that Sunday was the Solemnity of Corpus Christi – not only the feast of the Holy Eucharist (what better day to celebrate a first Mass?), but also the feast day of my home parish in Sandwich! It was a beautiful, nerve-wracking, prayerful, and overwhelming experience, all at once. Carrying on the tradition of the parish, we concluded the Mass with a solemn Eucharistic procession to the Crucifix shrine at the corner of Quaker Meetinghouse and Service Road. What a gift it was to gather with parishioners, family, friends, and brother priests to give thanks to God for the gift of the Eucharist, and for the gift of the priesthood in which I newly shared!

Father Brian Bangs’ first Mass coincided with the Solemnity of Corpus Christi during which he led a solemn Eucharistic procession to the Crucifix shrine at the corner of Quaker Meetinghouse and Service Road in Sandwich. 

A couple of weeks later, I began my ministry at St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish in Falmouth. There, I experienced a series of other “firsts” very quickly. I’m very grateful for the support and guidance of my pastor, Msgr. Steve Avila, during those first few weeks… and continuing through the present!

Father Bang’s first time celebrating the Anointing of the Sick was a moving experience for the new priest.

 

I distinctly remember the first time I celebrated the Anointing of the Sick. (In fact, you can see here that I have photographic evidence of this event)! Dorothy, who has since gone home to Our Lord, was a woman of deep faith, and was overflowing with joy and gratitude when she learned that she was the first person I had anointed.

My first wedding came soon afterward – only two weeks after arriving at the parish, in fact (thankfully, the couple was excited about this, rather than nervous)! It was beautiful to be able to encourage the new husband and wife to embrace their calling, so soon after I had made the leap of faith into the priesthood.

One of the great joys of my priesthood has been the opportunity to hear confessions. It is truly amazing to be an instrument of God’s mercy, allowing Jesus to work through me to free people from the weight of their sins. It is especially powerful when people come back to confession after years or even decades away from the sacrament, in order to experience Jesus’ forgiveness and healing. It is truly a privilege to witness this moment firsthand!

There have been many other beautiful moments during my ministry over the course of the past year. Some have been more difficult – like presiding at the funeral of a woman who died unexpectedly in her mid-50’s in September of last year. (I remember I wasn’t sure what to say in the homily, until I realized that the date of the funeral – September 14th – was the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.) Other moments have simply been occasions of joy – like giving a talk about confession to middle schoolers, or traveling with a group of young adults to the SEEK conference in Utah last January. Whatever the occasion, whether it was challenging or easy, joyful or sorrowful, I feel that God has always given me the grace I need to do what He is asking of me at that moment.

And that’s the bottom line – during this first year of priesthood I have clearly seen God’s grace at work, in my own life and in the lives of those to whom I minister. Even with the extensive preparation I received in my seminary studies, and even after walking alongside priest-mentors during summer assignments, I still have been surprised by the powerful workings of God’s grace. Although I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. Because whether I’m celebrating a Funeral or a Wedding, hearing a confession, or administering the Anointing of the Sick, I am privileged to have a front-row seat at pivotal moments in people’s journeys of faith. I always like to say that as a priest, I am called to show up, and then let God do the heavy lifting! It’s amazing how He is able to work, even in spite of my human failings and imperfections.

So I am truly grateful – grateful for the gift of the priesthood; grateful to my parents, family and friends who supported me on the journey; grateful to the many wonderful priests I have known who have exemplified the priesthood and provided spiritual guidance. Most of all, I am grateful to Jesus, the great High Priest. Without spending time with Him in His Eucharistic Presence, I would never have heard the calling to the priesthood, nor would I be able to live it out as He would want me to. With Him, I have everything I need to live out this calling with deep joy. To Him be glory and praise forever!

Father Bryan Bangs

Consecrating Our Priests to St. John Vianney: A Call for Prayer and Support

On August 4, our priests from across the Diocese and I will gather to consecrate ourselves to St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. This act of devotion will take place during Evening Prayer, when we entrust our priestly ministry to the intercession of St. John Vianney, whose life was marked by holiness and dedication to the priesthood.

This consecration is part of the ongoing Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church Initiative, launched last December to strengthen the well-being and holiness of the presbyterate. As we mark the Feast of St. John Vianney, I invite the faithful across the Diocese to join us in prayer, offering support and encouragement for our priests.

The faithful have been asked to pray this special Prayer for Our Priests, especially on August 4, and to send priests messages of gratitude and support. These messages will be shared with priests as a reminder of the love and prayers of the faithful. You can submit your message online until August 3rd.

Prayer for Our Priests

Saint John Vianney, patron of parish priests, intercede for our priests as they consecrate themselves to you. Inspire them with your zeal, sustain them in their trials, and enkindle in their hearts the fire of Christ’s love. May they be shepherds after the Heart of Jesus, leading their people to holiness. Strengthen them in their vocation so that, through their renewed priesthood, our parishes may flourish and our Church may be made strong. Amen.

Through your prayers, our priests find the strength and grace to carry out their ministry. 

Sincerely, 

+Bishop da Cunha