Summer Helper Column

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My name is Cameron Barford, I’m currently a rising sophomore at Ave Maria University in Florida, studying Exercise Science, as well playing for the men’s soccer team. I’m very blessed to be given the opportunity to work with Fr. Scott this summer as I discern the Lords will for me. I’m very excited to get to know each of you throughout this summer!

I’m always amazed at how God works, through those who feel the most unworthy and the least called to a life in the priesthood. Growing up I never gave much thought to becoming a priest until recently.  I was always afraid that while discerning God would ask me to become a priest, so I ran out of fear of having my life chosen for me. I pushed away any idea of being a priest and in some ways told God” my will not yours”. I went away to college with no intention of really growing closer to God out of fear of how it would change me. Around the middle of March, I was in a very rough part in my life spiritually. I was suffering and fearful of what my life was to become, unable to comprehend a God who claimed to love me yet, I felt so alone and far from loved. So, I decided to do what any logical Catholic in trouble would do, call Fr. Scott! I will never forget that phone call because over the course of an hour my fear was gone, and I felt as if I was called to a deeper love of Christ, no longer afraid of what he might call me to. I accepted to work with him this summer with an open heart for the first time in my life, and let God change me. I have loved every minute of it, and I don’t regret it one bit, its truly amazing what a little faith can do to one’s life.

“Perfect love casts out all fear”. To have perfect love doesn’t mean to love perfectly but rather to embrace Gods love which is perfect. Whenever we are afraid of what God may call us to, it’s nice to be reminded by what I think are the most beautiful words in all of scripture, and a constant reminder to trust.” Behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20).

God bless you,

Cameron Barford