Did you know that each of us is called to serve our parish in a particular way? Sometimes it can be daunting to figure out how God wants us to serve. In this episode, Fr. Josh gives tips and suggestions on how to discern God’s will in this matter.
Snippet from the Show
Discernment cannot happen if you are not invested in the sacraments.
Shownotes
Glory Story (1:47)
This Episode’s Question (5:54)
Hi Father Josh , I have been listening to your podcast for about 3 years and I have really enjoyed it. It has been a blessing to me. I wanted to ask you for some guidance. I have been wanting to volunteer at my church and other organizations where I live, but I struggle with actually doing it. My heart wants to but I am very shy and sometimes anxious. This is what is getting in my way. I’m trying to find something that fits my personality and serves God. Needless to say, my anxiety seems to be winning. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you and May God Bless you in all that you do!
-Anonymous
Saint Story: Bl. Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi (19:30)
Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi was born in Igboezunu, Nigeria in 1903. His family did not raise him Christian, but he was sent to school in a Christian village. After three years here, at the age of nine, he was baptized. His baptismal name was Michael.
At the young age of sixteen, Michael began to teach and eventually became a headmaster. Later, he entered seminary and in 1937, he was ordained a priest. He was only the second priest of Onitsha. From 1937-1950, he served in parishes. He helped establish many formation opportunities and parishes. He spent hours administering the sacraments and continual effort in evangelization.
In 1950, he left for the Trappist Abbey of Mount St. Bernard in England to enter monastic life. He did this so as to be trained in monastic life and then return to his diocese in order to establish a monastery. When he entered the novitiate, he took on the name Cyprian.
He spent thirteen years gaining experience as a Trappist before finally returning home. However, because of political unrest, the monastery was founded in a different location than originally planned. This was incredibly difficult for Bl. Cyprian to accept, but he eventually did.
The following year, Bl. Cyprian was diagnosed with thrombosis and then an aortic aneurysm. After the discovery of the aneurysm, he died the following morning on January 20, 1964.
Bl. Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi was beatified on March 22, 1998 by St. John Paul II.
Resources
- Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
- Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Reconciliation by Fr. Josh Johnson & Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings.
Meet Fr. Josh Johnson
While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. Then, one day in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest.
Now, Fr. Josh is the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body, The 99, and Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, as well as the author of Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation, Pocket Guide to Adoration, and co-author of Pocket Guide to Reconciliation.
