February 8, 2019

Year for Vocations: Father Wayne Biernat

REGIONAL

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 Wayne Biernat, pastor of St. Michael Parish, East Longmeadow:

What gives you the most joy as a priest?

My greatest joy as a priest is experiencing the humbling blessing of celebrating Mass with my parish family. It is truly inspiring to see how the Word of God and the miracle of the Eucharist can transform hearts right before my eyes.

What do you find most inspiring about the Catholic faith?

I find that the most inspiring grace concerning our Catholic faith is how we gather around the sacred altar of Christ to be strengthened by him in the beauty and miracle of the Eucharist. He is who unites us. He is who loves us and strengthens us in our time of need and in moments of thanksgiving.

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

I find that the continual prompting of the Holy Spirit gives me hope for the future of vocations in the Catholic Church. God is always knocking on the doors of many hearts to inspire many to a calling in the church. It is inspiring and enlivening to think that we are being called to work with Christ in nurturing those hearts to be open to that sacred calling.