A Chat with Fr. Ray Levreault

When were you first aware of a call to religious life? How did you "hear", or recognize, this call?

I've always been Catholic - well, from my baptism 2 weeks after my triumphant entry into this world - and my family always practiced the faith. I was heavily involved in my CYO/Youth Ministry beginning in the 7th grade and continued to serve the church in many varied ways. It was when I was away from ministry (during some dark times of my life) that I came to realize how much I needed God and His Church in my life. It was then around the age of 28 that I began to seriously re-consider my 'call' to serve in a more meaningful way.

Describe the process of discernment you went through, both individually and the process structured by your community.

Individually - a lot of prayer...especially to our Blessed Mother Mary!

Community - first is the initial contact with the vocations director - then some sharing of information and the likes, letters of recommendations, application process, psychological testing, criminal background check, medical physical including AIDS testing, interviews with a priest or two of the diocese and then when all is said and done and they think you are crazy enough to become a priest, you meet with the Bishop who then makes the decision if you are to become a seminarian and study for the diocese or not.

Did others help you to discern your vocation? How?

There are many people who help you in your vocation... it's all part of God's plan, although you will never realize it until AFTER you have become that which God had planned for you. It's just how it works! There are always a few out front who encourage you and the likes, but truly the ones that you least expect are the ones who God uses to direct your life in certain paths.

What led you to this particular ministry/community? Why is this life so attractive to you?

What led me to the Diocese of Savannah, is God. Being from Rhode Island, I never had any intention of coming this far south to be a priest. I did want a warmer climate, but I also wanted to be closer to home. Once again, when you open up to what GOD wants in your life...you will be pleasantly surprised at what He has planned for you. The bricks just fell into place and this Diocese is where I will build my house-(playing on the theme of 'bricks') ha-ha!~

How do you serve in the community? What is your "job" and what does it entail?

I'm just an ordinary parochial vicar - a priest who loves God, and whatever parish I am assigned to. I do what needs to be done...be it ministry, cleaning, patching the parking lot with cement or cold patch, moving furniture or rooting on the kids at a ball game it is all part of the plan. Of course there are the meetings upon meeting to decide what meeting we should have next. There are also many great ministry opportunities - confessions, baptisms, homily preparations, Mass prep, and prayer.

What kind of hours do you work?

No day is like another in the Diocesan priesthood. The day begins around 6:45AM and ends by 11PM. Not all of those hours are 'work' but many are. Some days are a lot crazier than others, especially if the end of the week is approaching and you haven't gotten to the weekend homily yet...for me, the hours can extend beyond. There are some days when you say Mass in the morning, other days you may not have Mass but a funeral, or wedding, baptism, it can be any number of events in any given day. Hospital and nursing home visits, shut-ins, confessions and blessings of buildings and rosaries or other things of importance to people. If you are assigned to a parish with a school, then you visit with the children at lunch time, you may teach a religion class, counsel a child or two - play, laugh, goof-off... there is no such thing as an "average" day in the diocesan priesthood. One thing for sure that is built into your day is prayer. The Divine Office/ Liturgy of the Hours... 5 times a day, we stop and pray to keep focused on the real reason Jesus called us to this ministry - and many times, it's the ministry that gets in the way of prayer or becomes the prayer for some diocesan priests...this is a big no, no!!!

How much do you feel you have given up to serve God's People in this way?

I've always felt, and still do think that the vocation of Marriage is the more difficult vocation. I deal with many types and ages of people all day. Young and old, crazy and sane, sick and healthy. At the end of my day, it's nice for me to come home to my room (even though I do live over the shop) and kick back, light a few candles, put some nice music on or watch television or read a book and not have to worry about anything or anyone at that moment but my own 'mental' health. Quiet time is few at times, but for a married couple, it's more difficult to work it in when you want it - the other may want something else. The reality of what we read in the New Testament is so true - to those who give up father/mother/brother & sister for my sake will be given ten times the amount. I try to live by this simple philosophy - "God will never be outdone in generosity!" this is the basis for tithing - we give ten percent, God gives more back to us! I've given my life to serve Jesus as His priest for the people of the Diocese of Savannah and He has blessed me in so many wonderful ways! God is good...ALWAYS!

How do you feel about your celibacy? How does this help your ministry?

Celibacy is a gift - by being united to God and His Church, those who promise celibacy, are free to come and go as needed without being tied down to a wife and family. The sacrifice can be difficult at times, but God provides and blesses those who live celibate lives.