Imagine being invited to dinner and offered a variety of delicacies. This is how seminarian Josué Reyes Díaz describes his summer assignment at St. James Cathedral in Orlando. As he enters his second year of seminary, known as First Discipleship, Reyes is being mentored by rector Father Miguel González and parochial vicar Father Phillip Mills.

“They expose me to pockets of parish life — serving at Mass, helping out with vacation Bible school, different youth ministry events, helping distribute Communion to the sick,” Reyes said. Living in a rectory with priests provides key learning experiences. “It is the life you’re discerning so, outside of the ministry, what does that look like? That has been a huge blessing as well.”

Reyes's assignment will conclude at the end of July. His day typically starts with Mass at 7 a.m., where he assists at the altar. Afterward, he participates in staff meetings and activities such as marriage preparation and funeral planning. Afternoons allow time for prayer and reflection before evening activities such as youth ministry.

During emergency visits for Anointing of the Sick, Reyes accompanies a priest. “People are hurting... Most of the time they’re just looking for someone to talk to," he said. He recalled taking Holy Communion to someone receiving cancer treatment: "No words had to be spoken."

“The pace of (priestly) life...is frantic," Reyes observed but emphasized that "what we do is bring Jesus to the world.” He finds encouragement from saints and mentors like Fathers González and Mills.

“Man is not meant to be alone,” Reyes quoted Scripture while praising the fraternity among priests at St. James Cathedral.

Reyes offers two reflections weekly after Mass, providing opportunities for prayer and practical experience with feedback from priests and congregants.

His takeaway from working with Father González is embracing “the ministry of presence.” He emphasized being truly present rather than physically there but mentally elsewhere: “The ministry of presence is the most important thing we can offer...you can be Christ to them.”

From Father Mills, he learned about maintaining relationships for longevity in priestly life.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff