WHY I WANT TO BE A PRIEST
My name is Kim and I am 32 years old. I was born in Vietnam and was brought up as an only child in a Buddhist family. I came to Australia in 1982 when I was 8.
When I was attending Vaucluse High School in year 12, a friend tried to interest me in Christianity. I declined his invitation to meet some missionaries from Spain, not seeing how my life was connected with my faith.
But one Friday he called up and invited me to a weekend retreat called "Life and Love". For some reason I said "yes" telling myself jokingly that this might be the most important decision I make in my life! The weekend came and went and I didn't get much out if it, to be honest. Looking back, I can't remember a single detail that touched me. What I remember most was that there was a really good-looking girl there.
I guess I never gave much thought to God because no-one had ever told me about him. I started to learn by going to their weekly Monday night prayer groups. I went for about 5 years, trying to be with God through His words. That was how I received my faith, through his words.
I was baptised, confirmed and received into full Communion on 9 November 1997 at St. Andrew's Parish church at Malabar.
Since then I have worked for 1 1/5 years as a missionary in the Philippines as part of discerning my vocation. I came back in 2002.
I think the best way to serve God for me is to be a priest in Sydney where I have been brought up. So here I am at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd.
I thank God for the grace, faith and love that He has placed in my life so that I can say Yes to Him.
I see my life not as a mystery that can't be solved but in the light of His love. I pray: "I am yours because you have loved me from the beginning, because you have been patient with me, because you have suffered for me, because you have made me for yourself."
I pray that my formation here in Christ is one which will produce fruits, fruits of love for the life of the world.
Your brother in Christ.
Kim
- from the Seminary of the Good Shepherd website: http://www.sgs.org.au/kimh.htm |
