4 minute read
Welcoming Fr Ben Riley into Our Parish Family with Open Hearts
On May 29, Deacon Ben Riley became a disciple of Christ in an extraordinary, generous way through his ordination to the Eternal Priesthood of Jesus Christ. When he received the Sacrament of Holy Orders, he was given a sacred power (sacra potestas) to act in total sacramental identification with Christ; his soul was surrendered to Holy Mother the Church, and his heart was given over to selfless service until the end of his days.
At this time, Fr. Riley is living out the divine calling he has received among us, as part of our parish family. Now as a priest, he hopes to shower God’s abundant graces on our faith community and make it come alive with His goodness.
Advertisement
“I am most looking forward to celebrating the sacraments, especially Mass,” he says. “I love the Mass because, through it, the community of the Church comes together to offer worship and praise to the Lord, and bring their gifts and sacrifices to the altar so that the priest may offer them up. The church is not just a building for the sacraments, but it is also a social hub for the faithful where they can express their struggles and pains to people of similar beliefs. I pray that our parish can build a fortress around the Sacrifice of the Mass.”
Furthermore, he has a profound devotion to the mercy of God and is grateful to have the opportunity to bring this mercy to souls through Confession.
“I have a real devotion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” Fr. Riley says. “I want to sit with people in the midst of their suffering and pain and express God’s love and mercy to them. I hope to be a conduit for Our Lord, and bring people hope and healing in the confessional.”
Looking back, Fr. Riley sees how God was preparing him to become a priest ever since he was young.
“My uncle was a Catholic priest,” he says. “He was a great role model and influence for me, and he showed me how great the priesthood can be. When I was growing up, he asked me if I wanted to be a priest. I said, ‘No, I am going to marry this girl in my class, and we will be together forever!’”
Although this isn’t what ended up happening, of course, his uncle’s inquisition did make young Ben wonder about God’s plan for his life. This lingering question remained in his heart throughout his teenage years, while he attended the all-boys Catholic High School in Little Rock. During his time in this unique academic environment, he was deeply encouraged in his faith life, as well as in his vocational discernment.
“One of the positive aspects of attending an all-boys school was that it helped me discern my vocation to the priesthood because there were less distractions in the classroom,” he says. “I could study and socialize without having to worry about what girls would think of me.”
Along the way, young Ben encountered a type of “angel” who helped guide him to the road he was meant to travel.
“There was a guidance counselor at my high school who was a Franciscan monk, and I went to him for spiritual direction,” he says. “He helped me to deepen my spiritual life and my prayer life, and encouraged me to ask God where He was calling me to be. I really loved Catholic High, and I really loved the experience I had there!”
When asked what he would like to share about himself with our parish family, Fr. Riley offers an enthusiastic response.
“I love the outdoors!” he says. “I am an Eagle Scout. I was a wilderness EMT before I joined the seminary. I love to mountain climb, backpack, and hunt. I find great spiritual comfort in experiencing God’s presence in nature, and when I am not working at the parish, I like to spend time in what He has created.”
For those who may be considering a vocation to the priesthood or the religious life, Fr. Riley has some helpful advice.
“I would like to highlight the importance of silent prayer,” he says. “There is so much noise in our lives and so many distractions. It is essential for us to find time for silent, private prayer so that we can ask the Lord what He is calling us to do with our lives. He doesn’t usually shout at us. Oftentimes, the Lord speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. If you are discerning a vocation, it also helps to express your desires to a loved one. No one should have to go through the challenges of life alone — we should all have someone to lean on.”
Fr. Ben Riley
