This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. By using this site, you consent to the placement and use of these cookies. Read our Privacy Policy to learn more. ACCEPT

I Was Able To Listen To The Lord

Even as a teenager and then a college student at City University – and as much as I like the noise of a big family, lots of good friends, playing piano in a rock band…-  I found myself also enjoying quiet time.  I would work out alone, walk the dog late at night through the factories of Sunnyside, travel solo by bike all around Queens, and I found myself talking to God (in a way different than at Sunday Mass.)  there was something about that other (holy?) relationship with God that was touching my heart in a place where nothing else had reached.

On a ‘dream come true’ summer bike ride to California from Queens, I found myself alone in the Mojave desert for about a week.  It was in that surprising time (obviously some plans changed along the tour and I wound up without a partner) I was able to listen to the Lord.  It was there that He gave me the strength to take the leap into a possible life as  a priest.

I had always enjoyed my work with people.  There was  a wonderful experience for a few years in a nursing home, and then some time with a group home for mentally challenged adults.  I found myself staying later and later at those jobs and really enjoying my service.  Of course, I always loved helping out at the church – playing the organ for choirs, working fundraisers, bazaars, and even bingos!  I found it very pleasant to be around such good people.  While priests, religious, and Catholic laity may not be perfect, they are sincerely good people who are a joy to work with.

As I look back on 21 years of ministry as a priest, I simply thank God for bringing all my hopes to reality.  I’ve felt called to work with the  poorer parishes, and that can sometimes be difficult.  Their lives are often unstable and chaotic.  And yet, it’s exciting to see the Spirit work wonders and change lives through the church.

One of the prayers we offer in our breviary asks God to keep us from ever being discouraged due to lack of results.  I have found that fidelity to prayer, the rosary, and Eucharist sincerely prayed each day has sustained my priesthood.  In some parish situations, and most especially working with the immigrants, undocumented, materially and spiritually poor, we can have bad days.  There have been many bad days.  But I can honestly say that when I kneel down each night before bed, I always thank God for where He has taken me.  I have never once, not even once, wished that I had done something else with my life.

Fr. Frank Shannon

Fr. Frank Shannon ‘87 is the pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Far Rockaway.

 



cbd gummy is legall | push cbd gummies review | do cbd gummies have sugar | effetc of cbd gummies | nc cbd gummies | nufarm cbd gummies amazon | cbd elderberry gummies | bedtime cbd gummies | cbd gummies near frisco | pensacola cbd gummies | cbd gummies with tumeric | cbd gummy advent calendar | fresh bombs cbd gummies | thera calm gummies cbd | relax gummy bears cbd | cbd gummies and oils | oysters for male enhancement | how enlarge penis size | dr sebi male enhancement pills | does viagra enlarge the penis | penis enlargment stretcher | can a bee sting enlarge penis | male enhance e | sex gummies reviews | levitra male enhancement | one a day men gummy | male libido enhancing drugs | does gummies work for ed | male thong enhancer | how to enlarge ur penis | male enhancement billings | sx male enhancement pills | ultratestxr male enhancement | size focus male enhancement | jmy male enhancement pills | next day penis enlargement | diet pills for sale | cat diet pills | diet pills that stop hunger | fda approved keto gummies | leanbean weight loss pills | trimax keto acv gummies | keto shred max acv gummies | keto gummies optah | how much is keto flow gummies | canada weight loss medication | keto and acv gummies scam | luxe keto acv gummies gnc | kilo diet pills | proburn keto acv gummies | weight loss pill wegovy | best diet pills from walmart | trubody keto gummies | xanogen male enhancement gnc | keto vitamins gummy | cbd gummies 3000 mg 4 oz | mojo male enhancement spray | highest rated otc diet pills | liberty cbd gummies cost | max 72 male enhancement pills | transform keto plus acv | anatomy of cbd gummies | man up male enhancement pills | keto gummie diet | green otter cbd gummies | where to buy boner bears | keto gummies nearby | cbd gummies 3 pack | plus balance gummies | amazon prime keto gummies | bionlend cbd gummies | penis enlargment hydro | side effects keto gummies | shelf life of cbd gummies | kandi plus male enhancement | kiss my keto gummies near me | cbd gummy bears reddit | biogenix male enhancement | keto blast gummies oprah | ultra cbd gummies near me | vigorex male enhancement | keto acid gummies | five cbd free gummies | white tiger male enhancement | rapid fit keto gummies | green leaves cbd gummies | magnum male enhancement review | best weight loss acv gummies | suoer cbd gummies | maxx 30 male enhancement price | top rated diet pill | cbd gummy label | shaft penis enlargement | trimtone diet pills | side effects of cbd gummy | spore male enhancement reviews | acv for health keto gummies | do avana cbd gummies work | clinamax male enhancement | power keto gummies shark tank | cbd gummies tyler tx | how to enlarge penie | keto diet pills for sale | cbd blueberry gummies | bee stings enlarge penis | medical weight loss dallas | sunstate cbd gummies | amazon gummy bear | keto acv gummies on amazon | cbd gummies high potency | permanent male enhancement | can keto pills cause headaches | cbd cbn gummies | biolyfe cbd male enhancement | biolush keto gummies | cbd gummies fridge | fire ant male enhancement | collagen weight loss pills | harmon leaf cbd gummies | penis enlargement exersise | keto boost gummies reviews | free cbd gummies |