By Ricardo Lozano Cruz
Last year, during June and July, I was blessed to be at Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton. There, more than merely serving in my pastoral assignment as a seminarian, I had a powerful experience of God through the vibrant and overflowing faith of the community. I would title this chapter of my life as my “Experience of God Among the People.”
At Holy Cross, I was immersed in different ministries, such as the ministry of the sick and homebound, catechetical formation, food distribution, sacramental preparation and small faith-sharing groups. A great highlight of this experience was working with the English- and Spanish-speaking communities, which let me grasp a greater understanding of the beauty, diversity and richness of our Catholic faith.
In June, I arrived at Holy Cross Parish with the expectation to serve and fulfill all my pastoral duties as best as possible. I arrived with the idea to offer and give myself to others by assisting the needs of people. Nevertheless, more than an experience of self-giving, my stay at Holy Cross Parish was an experience of RECEIVING. I witnessed to the transforming power that flows from being with the people of God. Such a transformation could be described as something that was gradually and powerfully touching my heart in unimaginable ways. I experienced God’s tender love through His flock! I felt God was uncovering my heart to talk in the deepest silence of my soul.
I remembered the day in which a non-Catholic lady said to me with evident joy in her eyes, “Thank you for becoming a priest.” It was one of those times where my spirit was unexpectedly shaken. From this time on, I felt God’s voice talking in a personal way to me, especially through the spiritual and physical needs of the community. I would even say that having a close interaction with the suffering of people brought my heart closer to Jesus. Furthermore, I would describe such an inspiring experience by recalling Mother Teresa’s words: “Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow and suffering are but the kiss of Jesus – a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.”
After prayerful reflection, I came to see that people were actually teaching me something about myself, as God himself was affirming my call to the priesthood through the faith of people. As a result, during the last days of my assignment, I felt as if I walked in my spiritual journey through the green pastures of gratefulness for my vocation, but I also felt like walking through the gloomy, yet providential feeling of unworthiness. Through this beautiful and faithful community, God said to me, “I am with you. There is nothing to be afraid of.” Through the people’s vibrant faith, I had the assurance that God perfectly knew, even before I was born, about my vocation and my future to come. If at some point somebody asks me to summarize my experience at Holy Cross Parish in three words, I would say: gratefulness, unworthiness and trust.
On the last day of my pastoral assignment, with a joyful heart, I thanked God for the gift of this experience. I thanked Him for His people, and I asked Him to model my heart as a faithful instrument of His burning love. I also feel honored and truly happy to serve, God willing, the people of the Diocese of Camden in the future. Once again, I ask for your prayers, upon which I rely on so much. I also encourage all of you to pray for the ministers of our Diocese as they continue to be courageous heralds of the Gospel and faithful Shepherds of God’s flock.
Ricardo Lozano Cruz is third theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange.
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