I was inspired reading a recent article in the local Akaroa newspaper reflecting on the ministry of Parish Priest Fr. Paul Shannahan SM. Paul completed his ministry in the parish last week after six years.

It’s difficult for most people to imagine the rich diversity of the life of a priest in a parish, and much that is written about priests fails to communicate the beauty of a life fully immersed in the lives of the people of a community.

In this little Akaroa Mail article (which I share below with permission) Brigid Rennell gives a great insight into the full and active ministry of Paul Shannahan, a priest among God’s people.

Once sentence in particular resonated powerfully with my own rich experience of priesthood. Brigid writes: “Fr. Paul has had a long and varied career with the Catholic Church, which is often the case when you follow a vocation into the priesthood.”

Take a few minutes to be inspired by this account of Paul’s ministry as a priest – and you might like to share this with others, especially with young(ish) men who could be open to hearing God call them to live their lives in the greater adventure that is priesthood.

If you are reading this and would like to know more about life as a priest send me an email vocations.chch@gmail.com . I look forward to hearing from you.