WVPRIEST.ORG - Coming Soon!

Thank God for picking your son to do his work—he is very special indeed. We often think of the first apostles—look how significant they were to getting the word of Christ out to the people. Their parents did not know the significance at the time—the same could be true today. We as parents have a role when we realize our son is contemplating the priesthood, and we believe that role is to allow God’s plan to unfold. Rejoice and let God do his work.

That is actually hard and easy to explain. It is hard because the church is innately part of our existence that is the side of ourselves that is personal that others do not see or know, only God. And yet, it is the community—it is through the church and participation in the church we learn and grow in our faith. The church helps keep us moving forward and rooted, gets us through the tough times, the great times knowing that the real goal is to be with God in heaven.

Our hope is that Justin is able to do God’s work in today’s world. We are concerned about the stressors of being a priest and the wear and tear on the human person. We hope he can find a good balance to fulfill his role. With the shortage of priests we realize and see in our own community the demands that are put upon them. It is physically demanding with long hours, and emotionally/socially demanding. They are critically involved daily in the big events of life, both happy and sad—from weddings, baptisms and confirmations to seeing the dark side of life like addictions and criminal behaviors, to dealing with death and dying. Providing spiritual direction and dealing with so many religious and social issues on a daily basis can take its toll on the person, and is a basis for concern, but also the very reason they are the hope of the future.

The experience has been very positive. The St. James Church community, the church that we have been long standing members, has embraced Justin’s discernment. From Father Brian Owens, who allowed Justin to shadow him as he was deciding whether to join seminary, to Deacon Dave Galvin, the Knights of Columbus, and the entire church community. For example, they join us by praying for him during the Prayers of the Faithful, sending him cards and good wishes, and other tokens of support. We really feel the church community is excited and supportive that one of their own could be a future priest. It is heart warming to see a church community so supportive realizing we need priests to continue the work of the Catholic Church. We have encountered those who just don’t get the Catholic priesthood and make comments like “What a waste!” Many of other religious affiliations or denominations do not understand the celibacy basis of the priesthood, and can’t wrap their minds around it. Our true friends and relatives of other faiths though are very supportive even though they don’t understand. I think there is a feeling of amazement that someone in our very open world would choose to enter the priesthood when there are so many other options out there. We’re actually amazed ourselves. We do not take negative comments to heart and have actually been able to laugh off any negativity because we are comfortable in the experience.

In a way, we really were not surprised. I think a parent sees things in their children that others do not if they are really looking. We are not a real “touchy-feely get to the emotion” type people, but we are in tune with our kids even when they do not realize it. We could sense he was struggling with a decision, and after getting over those human-nature type feelings that we mentioned earlier; we could easily envision him being a priest.

We do not pressure him, and have actually talked about the fact that discernment is a process. We have told him that if the end result is not to become a priest that is okay too. Discernment is the process for Justin to figure out the plan God has, and we must be careful not to manipulate that plan in any way. We touch base with him every now and then to get a pulse check, if you will, as to how he is feeling so far in his discernment.

We have supported Justin’s decision to become a priest. We have always felt that God blessed our marriage and gave us four talented children and that we, too, are vessels for his work. Therefore, we must live up to our end of the bargain.

There is a feeling of pride thinking about Justin becoming a priest. That being said there is also a sense of parental worry as we understand the sacrifices a man makes in the Catholic faith becoming a priest. We have always felt that God has a special plan for him, and that our role is now to allow that plan to unfold. Although, honestly, Justin’s mother admits that initially there were those nagging thoughts like “what a handsome guy he is and what beautiful grandchildren he could give us.” But realizing that may not have even been in God’s plan—who is to say he would ever marry, or perhaps not be able to have children. I guess the realization there are so many unknowns in life, and life unfolds according to God’s plan not man’s, she was able to put those thoughts aside and rejoice in his decision.

The Patrick Blanc family could be described as a traditional family unit of husband, wife, and 4 children (John, Jillian, Justin and Jaclyn). The children were raised to know church as being a part of their life, always attending Sunday Mass and CCD. Patrick taught and continues to teach in the CCD program. The boys were altar boys and later, when girls were accepted to serve, the youngest daughter also was an altar server. They have also served as ushers.