Father Ray Levreault Speaks to Serrans

A little over six years ago, Father Ray knelt in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and offered up the prayer, "If this is what you want, Lord, then You make it happen."

The story could begin from that point and move into the future. But Father Ray told the Serra Club that his journey to Holy Orders began during his childhood. A great aunt predicted that Ray, the youngest of five children, would become a priest. After joining the Presentation Sisters religious order she did her part to make that happen by praying daily for 20 years that Ray would embrace a priestly vocation. Prior to ordination, Fr. Ray worked in 19 jobs ranging from cross-country truck driver to cemetery custodian to retail sales. Eventually, his vocation began to evolve when he took a job as a Youth Minister, a job he enjoyed. All the while, his family joked that Ray would become bored with any job in three years or less and made bets on how long he would last in any given occupation. However, he has found the priesthood to be anything but boring. Father Ray described some of the rewards and challenges of his first year after ordination by relating his involvement with the church's sacraments.

Reflecting on his experience during the Mass in which he was ordained to the Diaconate, Fr. Ray said he felt unworthy to serve God in his calling, but he has found humble assurance in God's grace and love. This passage into Holy Orders opened the door for Fr. Ray to experience other pivotal moments through the remaining Sacraments.

During his first experience with Reconciliation, he encountered a scenario straight out of his seminary training. Because of his solid preparation, he found the confidence to live up to the roles as confessor, consoler and teacher. He attests to the belief that the Holy Spirit prods his memory and inspires him to instruct through appropriate Gospel stories, accounts of saints, and other advice which pop into his thoughts as the moment dictates.

He witnessed how presenting a child for Baptism re-energizes the faith of parents and godparents when they request the Sacrament for children. He prompts honest discussion and examination by asking adults to answer the question, "Why do you bring a child to be baptized?" In many cases, dialog ensues which aids in the development of the adults as well as the children.

He finds confirmation to be frustrating, probably as much as many parents. He expressed concern with teaching young teenagers who do not seem to be motivated to understand the spiritual significance of the Sacrament.

While ministering to the sick, he has witnessed how the Rite of the Anointing of the Sick can soothe a grieving family and bring hope in a heavenly eternity to the dying.

Lastly, Fr. Ray gave a humorous description of events leading up to the first wedding where he officiated. Working with the couple before the wedding convinced him that the engaged couple were both mature and ready for the commitment. However, the night before the wedding, due to no fault of the couple's, paperwork had been misplaced and the wedding was in danger of being canceled. Quick thinking and support from fellow priests smoothed the way for the nuptials to be completed. But the nerve-wracking experience underscored for Fr. Ray why many priests profess a strong dislike for weddings.

Fr. Ray offered the paradox of the Sacraments as food for thought. He reminded us that God does not need the Sacraments, but we, followers of Christ, rely on Sacraments for comfort, strength, and preparation for the eternal. Because of the tremendous treasure found in the Sacraments, we should equally treasure the priests who stand in as Christ to provide access.