Paulist seminarian Rene Constanza leads liturgical training during his pastoral year at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Tom Gibbons, CSP

Tom Gibbons suspected there was more to this priesthood thing than he had experienced in the first two months of his pastoral year at St. Austin Church in Austin, Tex. The parish’s proximity to the University of Texas, also served by the Paulists, Mr. Gibbons got to experience world-class tailgating at Longhorn games and the plethora of live music the city has to offer.

“Those first two months gave me the impression that the priesthood was a breeze,” said Mr. Gibbons, 37.

Then tragedy struck with the untimely death of St. Austin pastor Father Jim Wiesner, CSP, in November.

“My role suddenly shifted from being a carefree seminarian to full-time clergy who was responsible for helping to minister the parish through a sudden period of grief,” said the New Jersey native. “I grew a lot in that one week.”

While that growth spurt may not have been typical of the pastoral year experience, Paulist formation director Father Steve Bossi said the pastoral year provides potential Paulists with a “real life experience of day-to-day ministry over the course of a year, and of living, praying and ministering with the Paulists.”

The pastoral year experience usually falls between the second and third years of theological studies, according to Father Bossi, so the student can utilize his theological training (including preaching) before entering hands on ministry. The pastoral year experience gives the student a chance to determine what particular areas of theology he wants to study when he returns to the academic side of formation.

“It gives the student a chance to see if a life of living, praying and ministering with Paulists is what he wants,” Father Bossi said. “It really is a test of whether this is his calling. And it gives the formation team another perspective on the student’s call to Paulist ministry as he is experienced and supervised by the local Paulist supervisor and community.”

Seminarian Rene Constanza said his pastoral year experience has helped him grow in his role as a church minister, in his relationship with God, in his understanding of the priesthood and appreciation of Paulist community life.

Rene Constanza, CSP

At the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, Mich., Mr. Constanza has leadership roles in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults for Spanish-speaking parishioners, Confirmation preparation and English as a Second Language teams. He preaches monthly at the Spanish Mass, participates in Bible study, teaches adult faith formation courses and trains altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors and ushers. Also included are the inevitable staff, committee and other meetings that come with ministry.

The pastoral year experience “has given me a better appreciation of the importance of living a well-balanced life in ministry,” said Mr. Constanza, a 31-year-old native of Belize who was a high school principal before joining the Paulists.

“It is inspiring to see the extent and manner in which the Paulists of the Grand Rapids foundation are involved in their ministries,” he said. “What is more exciting is that they embody the spirit and zeal for Paulist mission in their work of evangelization, ecumenism and reconciliation.”

In Austin, Mr. Gibbons preaches twice a week at the daily Masses, and is involved in an inquiry group known as “Faith of Catholics,” in which those both inside the faith as well as newcomers to the faith can learn as well as ask questions about Catholicism.

“It’s one of my favorite groups because in addition to being able to present, we get into some great discussions and some very good questions are asked,” he said.

Mr. Gibbons, who was a web designer before entering Paulist formation, is involved in the Knights of Columbus, the Graduate and Professionals (Young Adult) Group and the social justice outreach ministries the parish does each Thursday.

“I frequently find myself ‘chewing the cud’ one-on-one with parishioners who want to talk more about their relationship with God, either over a coffee or at the local watering hole,” said Mr. Gibbons, who noted that he now puts what he learned in theology class to practical use.

“After two years of reading the owner’s manual, I have finally been allowed to drive the car around the parking lot,” he said. “Being in Austin has excited me about the many dynamic ministry possibilities are possible and has simultaneously made me grateful that I am part of a community that encourages creative thinking.”