January 17, 2019

Year for Vocations: Father Frank Furman

REGIONAL
Staff report

SPRINGFIELD – During this Year for Vocations in the Springfield Diocese, Catholic Communications has invited seminarians and priests, both active and retired, to participate in a “mini-survey” by submitting answers to three questions. Their answers will be posted in The Catholic Mirror, on iobserve.org and the Catholic Communications Facebook page, and in the Parish Packet for use in parish bulletins.

Here are the responses from Father Frank Furman, who was ordained last year and is currently completing a two-year licentiate in moral theology at the Dominican-run Angelicum University in Rome.

1. What gives you the most joy as a priest or seminarian?

The most joy I receive from being a priest is deepening the relationship that others have with Christ through the sacraments. 

2. What do you find most inspiring about the Catholic faith?

The most inspiring thing about our Catholic faith is how close God makes himself available to us, especially through sure signs and manifestations of his presence, as we see in the seven sacraments.  

3. What gives you hope for the future of vocations in the Catholic Church?

My hope for vocations is in the Lord because he promised that the church would be there until the end of time – and it needs priests to make sure God’s presence remains with us in the Eucharist. Men, especially in a world of self-indulgence, want to do something courageous with their lives and begin living life to the fullest, which only happens when giving oneself to God and following his call to sanctity.