The Priesthood: Never a Dull Moment
(Fr. Ray Levreault’s first year of priestly service)
Fr. Ray Levreault celebrates his first Mass at St. Teresa of Avila in Augusta. Fr. Ray is originally from Rhode Isalnd; he found the Savannah Diocese online and was attracted because, as he puts it, "it was the first photo I found online in which the bishop was smiling."
For Fr. Ray Levreault, the first year as a diocesan priest has been full of surprises.
"There is no such thing as an 'average' day in the diocesan priesthood," said Fr. Ray, one of five priests ordained this past summer in our Diocese. "There are some days when you say mass in the morning, other days you have a funeral, or wedding, baptism - it can be any number of events in any given day."
Fr. Ray said his daily duties can include anything from visiting the sick at hospitals and nursing homes, to hearing confessions and blessing buildings, rosaries and a variety of other objects.
The only given in each day, he said, is prayer. "One thing for sure that is built into your day is prayer," said Fr. Ray. "The Divine Office, Liturgy of the Hours - five times a day we stop and pray to keep our focus on the real reason Jesus called us to this ministry."
Although he was raised Catholic and was very active in youth ministry in middle and high school, Fr. Ray never heard a call to the priesthood until he began to distance himself from that life.
"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," said Fr. Ray. "When I was around 28, I began to seriously reconsider my 'call' to serve in a more meaningful way."
Fr. Ray began a process of discernment that included a great deal of prayer, especially to our Blessed Mother Mary, as well as a more formal process of interviews and applications with the diocese.
"There are many people who help you in your vocation," reflected Fr. Ray. "It's all part of God's plan - although you never realize it until after you have become that which God had planned for you. That'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."
