My story begins as early as second grade at Holy Trinity Parish, Louisville. I was out on the playground and, as second graders would, we were talking about boyfriends and girlfriends. I was too embarrassed to admit mine's name, so I remembered that morning in class the young parish priest had visited religion class and someone had asked him if he was married and had any children. He explained that priests weren't allowed to marry. So I told my friends that I wanted to be a priest. They told my teacher, who told my parents and pastor, and then over the years the priests from my parish started coming around the house for dinner, and I began to be invited to help around the rectory.

While the story is silly sounding, what was critical was that in fact I did get to know the parish priests and admired them. With time I began to think that just maybe I could do the work and be a good priest. I started at St. Thomas Seminary in high school in 1968, but it closed, and I transferred to graduate from St. Xavier High School in 1972. At that time I re-entered the seminary at St. Mary's in Baltimore. Upon graduation from college, I took some time off for 9 months to live in a rectory; I worked in a parish and at the V. A. Hospital. It was really through that experience that I believe I said "yes" to the call to be a priest. I received wonderful encouragement from the parishioners to continue.

When asked when I first thought I wanted to be a priest, I often have to give two answers. Certainly I first spoke of it in grade school, but I really did not know what priesthood was all about. Truly, I made the decision after college and after the time I worked in the parish and at the V. A. Hospital. By then I was committed, so that when I began my graduate seminary training at Catholic University in 1976, I knew that God wanted me and that I wanted to be a priest. The time of discernment in the seminary at Catholic U. provided the necessary confirmation to me about the future direction of my life. In 1980 when I was ordained, it was a very natural and comfortable moment; my ordination was for me more about confirming the vocation that I was already living.

My priesthood has been the most wonderful experience, filled with far more happiness and wonder than I ever imaged or even hoped for. Shortly before ordination, one of the seasoned seminary staff told us that in every assignment God would provide for us people who would support and encourage us, nurturing us in our ministry. That would be one of the "bonus" gifts that God provides with priesthood, the scriptural image of lots of "sisters and brothers" and family for those who give up their own (Mark 10:28-30). Certainly God has been wildly generous and faithful to that promise in my life and ministry.

All of my assignments (St. Joseph, Bardstown; St. Raphael; St. Gabriel; and the Cathedral of the Assumption) have been challenging and rewarding; I have gained from working with brother priests, peers on the parish staffs, parishioners, and other Christian ministers. My life is Eucharist-centered, and daily I find my life is filled when being shared with others in their sacred times of joy and sorrow. To be an instrument of healing and reconciliation, to be able to bless the gift of new life, to bless married love, to celebrate the end of life and the struggles of one's "family" in Christ, are all awesome.

I remain a priest today in part because I believe this is a most exciting and challenging time in the life of the church. I find myself renewed each day and challenged to continue to grow in ways that make me realize that there is nothing that could make me any happier. I cannot think of a single assignment that I wouldn't willingly accept and where I wouldn't thrive given God's care and providence for me. God is so good.

Father Bill Hammer