First Year of Priesthood

For Father David Koetter, the first year of priesthood has been an awesome challenge that has brought him some of the most rewarding moments of his life – and also some of the toughest.
After his ordination last June, Fr. David began his first assignment at St. Teresa Avila in Martinez. A few weeks later, parish pastor John O'Brien died in a car accident.

"That's been the hardest thing I've ever had to go through," said Fr. David. Part of the balancing act, he said, was helping a congregation work through tremendous grief while grieving on his own.

"We lost a beloved pastor who brought so much hope and promise," he said of Fr. O'Brien, whom he called a "friend and mentor."

Fr. David said that he is now settling in, and that life at St. Teresa is going well. "The people are great," he said, "and the support of the people is fantastic."
The best part of the priesthood, said Fr. David, has been recognizing the incredible gift God gives a priest in bringing the sacraments to the people. He didn't realize how moving that would be.

"The task of celebrating Mass and bringing healing to people through the sacrament of reconciliation – that's been an awesome surprise."

Fr. David thinks back to the years before his ordination. He said the encouragement of his parish priest was crucial in that journey.

"He told me it was a win-win situation," said Fr. David. "He said I would either go in and figure this is the life for me and God would open the door. Or, if I found out the priesthood was not God's call in my life, I would go out of the process a stronger lay catholic."

For young men considering the priesthood, Fr. David suggests one thing: be open. "God will show you the way if you're open to him," he encouraged, "Be open to God and to his movement in your life."

Fr. David said that he didn't know what to expect as he entered into this first year of the priesthood, but he has been amazed by the beauty of his vocation.

"The priesthood is a spiritual journey and definitely something that is life changing. I am just grateful everyday that God has put me where I am. There are trying days and trying times, but the people are great and the sacraments are very rewarding. It's truly a call from God and a gift from God."