Reflections from the Seminary

By Deacon Steve Pontzer

God is so great! As I write this, I sit in my dorm room in the midst of my final semester here at St. Vincent seminary. I am high on grace at the moment, having spent the weekend serving the people of God at St. Bernard's Parish, where I am assigned as a Deacon on the weekends.

Saturday morning began with a funeral Mass for a lady from the Parish. Then I spent the afternoon putting the finishing touches on my homily for the first Sunday in Lent, and then I preached at the Vigil Mass. Sunday morning I broke open the word with the RCIA candidates at eight thirty and preached at the ten thirty Mass.

After Mass, I had the honor of celebrating a Baptism for Bella Marie. My weekend was powerfully filled with the grace of God from beginning to end. Who could ask for more? This is just one example of how God rewards those who do his will. No matter what vocation you are called to, God has great things planned for you.

During my discernment, one of the most powerful experiences I had was working at the Vocatio Dei camp in Savannah. I remember how the vocation director Fr. Brett Brannen, the seminarians and lay volunteers like Sherm Stephens gave of themselves to teach the young men about the Call to Holiness and the various vocations God could call them to.

Sherm and others were supporting vocations long before they formed the Serra Club. Those great examples were pivotal in my decision to enter the seminary.

When the boys were finally quiet on the last night of camp, I found myself sitting in the dark of the hallway. I realized that I was experiencing the greatest feeling of peace I had ever felt. I remember thinking, "I am exactly where God wants me to be." I realized that I would never have been there to experience that peace had I not been discerning the call to the priesthood. I knew I wanted that peace in my life, I decided at that moment to continue on my journey of discernment. I made the leap of faith to leave all I knew and go to seminary.

As I reflect on that night, I realize that no matter how many challenges I face, no matter how many tests or papers I have had to write, God has always kept me in His peace. My vocation has been confirmed by this peace and by the support of the people of God in so many ways. I thank God every day for the call to the priesthood. I would never have made it without the prayers and support of the Serra Club, the Knights of Columbus and the great people of the Savannah Diocese.

My Lenten reflections have helped me see how far I have come, and at the same time, how far I have to go. I pray that I am up to the challenges of the priesthood, and that I may always remember that it is by God's will and His strength that I will live this life.

I feel truly blessed by my six years here at St. Vincent seminary, but I am ready for the next leg of the journey, Lord willing. Please know of my prayers for our Diocese and my continued prayers for all of you who have sustained me through my seminary years. I look forward to serving as your priest. God Bless you all.

Reprinted from Serra Club Newsletter