Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - The right thing to do
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The right thing to do Laura Keener Assistant Editor |
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“My vocation story is nothing grand, it’s kind of boring. I’ve always felt the call to priesthood and everyone else knew it too. I just didn’t wake up to reality until I was 20,” said Mr. McDole in a telephone interview from Rome March 12.
On April 4 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Mr. McDole will take a next step on his journey to the priesthood. Bishop Roger Foys will ordain Mr. McDole and fellow seminarian Kevin Kahmann to the Order of Deacon. Mr. McDole will become the diocese’s youngest deacon; next year at his priesthood ordination he will become the diocese’s youngest priest.
Some will say his call to becoming a diocesan priest as opposed to a religious order priest was Divine Providence; others might argue that it was an errant mouse click.
Mr. McDole said that during his last year at the University of Notre Dame, when all of his friends were applying for post-graduate programs, medical school and law school, he felt it must be time to apply to seminary. So he sent e-mails to the vocation recruiter of the Holy Cross Fathers, the Franciscans and the Archdiocese of the Military. He also sent an e-mail to diocesan vocation recruiter Father Gregory Bach. As a life-long member of St. Joseph Church, Cold Spring, he felt that was the respectful, responsible thing to do, to let his home diocese know that he was looking to apply to seminary.
“Father Bach was the only one that responded. When I asked the recruiter for the Holy Cross Fathers if he got the e-mail he said he never received one ... I took that as confirmation that I should be in Covington — I’ll let the Church speak,” said Mr. McDole.
Mr. McDole said he was thrilled when Bishop Foys asked him if he would study at the North American College in Rome. After four years of studying medieval history he said going to Rome was like a dream come true. He entered “the NAC” in August 2006.
“I was kind of surprised that it came up within our first conversation, but as soon as he said it I couldn’t refuse to come to Rome,” said Mr. McDole.
Except for summer breaks Mr. McDole has never known life outside a classroom, so adjusting to academic life was not an issue. But adjusting to seminary life was a great challenge.
“I had no clue what to expect and it was totally different from what I expected. Even my transition to Italy was easier than the transition to seminary ... it’s the scheduling and demands of seminary life — having meetings at this time; prayer at this time; Mass at this time; and always making that schedule. Also, having to look at yourself in the mirror and say, these are the things I need to work on, that I need to enhance or get rid of in order to be more Christ-like in the future. It’s just human nature to rebel against that,” said Mr. McDole.
He said that his friendship with Franciscan Father John Coughlin, O.F.M., his former spiritual director at the University of Notre Dame, really helped him toward the seminary.
“He was very formative in my moving towards seminary and helping me officially make the transition into seminary life. The talks I’ve had with him, not only as my spiritual director but just maintaining that friendship with him, have just been very formative in really making me the candidate for orders that I am today,” he said.
Mr. McDole said that NAC has done a good job preparing him for ministry not only in finding practical applications of pastoral ministry but also within the seminary structure itself. The spiritual conferences, instructions on how to perform the sacraments and the homily practicums have all been very well done, he said. He has especially enjoyed working at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops visitors’ office in Rome, helping pilgrims with tickets to papal audiences, providing directions around the city and also giving tours of St. Peter’s Basilica.
“I’ve really enjoyed showing pilgrims the Basilica especially in light of the Catholic faith, teaching them the history of the Church and theology through what is arguably the second most important church in Christianity,” he said.
Although he is over 4800 miles away from his family Mr. McDole said they have been very supportive not only of his call to the priesthood but also in taking care of practical matters, for which he is extremely grateful. Last year his father and mother, Kevin and Vicki [Martz] McDole, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by making a trip to Rome. Mr. McDole was able to accompany them on some of their “touristy” travels.
Mr. McDole said he is looking forward to ministry as a deacon. “I’m really excited to start preaching and teaching that way. It will be nice to finally put all of those practices into reality.” He will spend the summer in the diocese and return to Rome in the fall for his fourth year of studies.
He said he is also looking forward to celebrating the Rite of Marriage and the Rite of Baptism. This summer he already has scheduled three weddings and a baptism. One is the wedding of his best friend since grade school at St. Joseph School, Cold Spring, and high school at Bishop Brossart High School. “To be able to be present at their wedding in that way is really exciting,” he said.
As his diaconate ordination quickly approaches and his days as a student become numbered, Mr. McDole said he finds inspiration from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (12:1-2)
“It’s a good reflection for somebody who likes to stay in school,” he said. “First of all, it is offering my whole self — body, mind and soul — as a spiritual sacrifice to God. Accepting Holy Orders is giving my whole being over to God and in that it’s the constant renewal of mind, in being constantly renewed by the Spirit ... It’s that call to hand myself completely over to God not only in my actions and words but in my thoughts and desires.”