"Do not be afraid."

Not many of us use the words of Saint Pope John Paul II to discern our career, but when one is considering the priesthood...well, it makes perfect sense.

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Meet Father Allen Hoffa, Reading Central Catholic Class of 2001. While I did teach Father Hoffa at Central, it wasn't until my work with the Kairos Retreat that I came to know him well.

When I approached Father Hoffa for the interview, I explained the career research I have been doing, but I hesitated calling the priesthood a career rather than a vocation. He clarified by explaining that a man's calling to the priesthood is his vocation, while his career is his work in the parish, high school, hospital, college ministry, etc.

A usual question for my interviews is "Did you always know you wanted to be a _____? The answer for this one seemed especially significant and consequential. So...did he? 

Father Hoffa reminded me of what I already knew about him. He had been an altar server since 5th grade at St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in Reading; Monsignor Joseph Smith was pastor at the time, and he recognized Allen's devotion to the church even then. Father Hoffa became the first Sacristan there, a job that included care of the sacristy and the church. I remember him spending much time at church on weekends and religious holidays, and although I could see how time-consuming the job was, I knew he would not want to be anywhere else. Besides that, his dedication to Kairos when he was Rector his Senior year was unparalleled.

So, off to the seminary after graduation, right?

No.

Father Hoffa loved football, and he was offered a financial aid package to Albright College, so that's what he did. He attended Albright College as an Education Major, and he loved it there. Football, however, caused him a setback after a shoulder injury which required surgery. It was during the recovery down time that he had some time to think.........He knew he often thought ,"What do I want?" (or what do others want), but now he thought, "What does HE want?"

Wow.

Father Hoffa says that many things can make one happy, but the question should be what can make one happiest.

So, with that answer in mind, during Easter Week of his freshman year at Albright, he made the call to the Diocese of Allentown, and entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia as a sophomore.

Any of us can imagine that going from the football field to the altar wasn't an easy decision, but Father Hoffa was inspired and energized by his experience at World Youth Day in Rome in 2000 when he saw the Holy Father and remembered his words: "Do not be afraid."

What is it like to be a seminarian?

Some men enter directly (or almost directly!) after high school, and attend college earning a degree in Philosophy. Then they continue a four year graduate school program at the seminary. Some attend college elsewhere and enter the seminary after that schooling.

The undergrad program is similar to other college formats with the addition of Morning Prayer and Mass and Evening Prayer. After breakfast there are classes all day with time for study and recreation. Days end with Evening Prayer. One distinction is that Thursdays are Apostolate Days. Much like an internship, the seminarians go out into the community to serve in schools, colleges,  and hospitals.

Some of Fr. Hoffa's Thursdays were spent at John Paul II Special Learning Center and The Newman Center at Lehigh University.

Summers are off and at home working "regular" jobs so as not to drive their parents crazy. (My words, not Father Hoffa's.)

The four year grad school summers, however, become more devoted to the ultimate goal of priesthood; the men are assigned to live at various parishes  in the Diocese to perform duties there. 

Ordination Day in June of 2009 arrived after much hard work, dedication, and anticipation. Father Hoffa describes it as a day of extreme emotion and an intense feeling of the presence of the Holy Spirit. His face lit up just thinking about it.

That same day the priests are given their first assignment. This is where the vow of obedience is evident. He is placed where the bishop feels he is needed.

That's Father Hoffa on the left, Bishop Barres on the right

Father Hoffa's first assignment was the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena in Allentown.

 There he was the full time Assistant Pastor and also the Part time Chaplain at Allentown Central Catholic High School, and his second year as a priest he became the  full time Chaplain there.

 In 2010 he was named the Director for the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. In 2013 an additional assignment as the Chaplain at Lehigh University made him an extremely busy man!

In June of 2016 Father Hoffa was reassigned to Holy Guardian Angles Parish in Reading as the Assistant Pastor. Seeing first graders every day is a long way from seniors, but he enjoys each day.  Some duties of an Assistant Pastors include saying Mass, serving funerals, visiting hospitals and nursing homes,baptisms, conducting marriage preparation classes, and providing parish counseling. 

A huge task he has taken on is the overseeing of the return of HGA's parish festival!

Be not afraid, Father Hoffa!

The challenge of being a priest according to Father Hoffa is not being able to be everywhere for everyone (like the blogger who keeps pressuring him for pictures?) or, on a more serious note, the sadness at "losing" someone who he was so close to helping.

The rewards? (Again the smile on his face...) Living the sacramental life as a priest at Mass and in the Sacrament of Confession...making a difference in someone's life is a great reward. He says, "It's not easy, but it's worthwhile."

Father Hoffa with my former colleague at Reading Central Catholic, Father Zelonis

For those considering a life devoted to God as a priest, Father Hoffa has this to say: " We are living in an imperfect world with a perfect God. Look at God in His perfection. Allow yourself to TRUST where He may be leading you. Remember that God cannot do anything harmful to us; He only provides the perfect love that leads to perfect happiness. Be as close to Him as possible...be connected to His WILL."

Sounds like words the whole world should hear.

It was a wonderful 2 hours sitting in the library at Berks Catholic High School, reconnecting with a former student, a friend, and a man of God :)