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Priest reflects on vocation, ministry

Name: Father James Smith

Birth date including year: Feb. 15, 1941

Hometown: Early, Iowa

Education: Sacred heart High School in Early, Loras College- BA 1963, St. Bernard Seminary/ Aquinas Institute- MA in theology; Summers from 1963 through 1969 Masters in Education and guidance

Ordination date: June 3, 1967

Current assignment: Pastor St. Mary’s Parish in Spirit Lake

Hobbies/interests: Walking our trails; reading; Still like to visit the farm

Describe your call to priesthood. It pretty much came about in High school and just never left. I don’t think I ever seriously considered anything else.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? The dedicated example, (more than talk) of Priests and sisters influenced me more than I thought. My family gave me a strong and quiet support. For some reason people were always saying things to me like: “you should be the Irish priest your grandma always wanted.” People should realize that that kind of remark can have an effect. The support of the people of Early, Catholic and Protestant during seminary years was a real gift.

Was it a difficult decision to make? Not really. I just started out and no one ever told me to stop.

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? The older I get the more I realize that God does the work, I just get to co-operate. But having said that, what a privilege it is to make the Sacraments available and simply being there for people in a way that only a priest can be, no matter what his limits are.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? I’ve been saying the same night prayers since grade school I figure if they got me this far they will keep me going. I feel a union with God through many types of prayer and devotion.

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? Without the priesthood of Jesus Christ, there would be no salvation. The priest has a special role and privilege in making Christ’s priesthood present throughout the ages. How could that not be the most worthy thing there is?

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? If God wants you He’ll find a way to call you. When you hear that call don’t say: “Why me?” Say “Why not me?”