Six priests, five years: Father Jason Allan
Father Jason Allan stands outside St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Pilot Point. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
On May 22, 2021, six men were ordained priests for the Diocese of Fort Worth. Five years later, Father Jason Allan shares his memories and experiences.
THE FIRST FIVE: I served at Immaculate Conception Parish in Denton for two years, and now St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Pilot Point for three.
MEMORIES OF MAY 22, 2021: Having grown up at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Keller, I had served at Mass in every capacity: altar server, lector, acolyte, deacon. But at my first Mass that evening of the ordination, I was at the back of the procession, then standing behind the center of the altar. It was pretty powerful.
FORMING A PRIEST: Summer assignments and pastoral year were very helpful because those were actually in the parish. Although, not being ordained, you can't really do much of what the priest is expecting to do, but you see from their perspective what the priesthood is actually like.
Most of the classes in seminary are academics, theology, which is helpful and applicable. But the mentorship of some of the priests in the diocese was most helpful and continues to be very helpful.
FATHERLY ADVICE: There's a group of priests that I'll regularly call and ask for help, such as Father McDaniel and Father Flynn, whenever I need some advice on how to handle something. I continue to have spiritual direction with the spiritual director who I had in seminary. We now meet remotely, but those have continued to be very helpful meetings.
REWARDING MOMENTS: Sick calls continue to be an impactful moment for ministry.
And now being at St. Thomas and only at St. Thomas, it's really enabled me to know the parishioners better and be a part of their lives. There have been some great moments accompanying people from their journey through life.
FATHER FIGURE: Whenever someone comes, especially with a struggle in their life, and wanting to seek advice or guidance, my fatherly role is definitely noticeable in those moments. Being the one to feed and provide to people spiritually through the Eucharist and the other sacraments, I can especially see that role as a father providing for his children.
Then also whenever people come up with complaints or demands, I get to see that aspect of being a being a parent as well.
GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY: I see God’s grace when people are experiencing some difficulty, sickness or death in their life or their loved ones, the daily hardships that everyone experiences. I see them carry their cross and I try to help them carry it, alongside them.
In the confessional, as people struggle with their sins, being able to recognize the suffering in that, and then being that vehicle of mercy.
GOD IS CLOSE: On a Sunday, saying a whole bunch of Masses can start to feel kind of rote. In those moments, the Holy Hour becomes especially important, where I can just finally rest in the presence of the Lord. When ministry and the work aspects of the priesthood can feel dizzy or chaotic, having those moments to just sit with the Lord – you appreciate it.
HOLY HABIT: The Holy Hour is definitely the most important holy habit. I pray the Rosary right when I wake up, before going to the gym. It’s helpful to start the day in prayer. The breviary can be helpful.
VIEW OF THE PEWS: There's a very noticeable hunger in people for something beyond worldly goals and needs, many of which are good and noble like getting a good job and providing for the family. That's been reflected in just how many converts or reverts we were getting this Easter season. We had a ton of baptisms and confirmations for folks who had left the Church and came back or who were coming into the Church for the first time. Seeing them seek something transcendent and find that it's the Lord and the Church that will satisfy that longing is fulfilling for my own sense of faith.
NEXT CHAPTER: Our current church is very small, and we’re filling that more and more frequently. We're at the beginning part of planning for a capital campaign to build a church for the parish. It's exciting as the church is growing, we can see a very tangible, visible sign.
It's still somewhat of a small parish, although that won't be the case for much longer. It’s an exciting tension as we look to meet future needs, and also being able to appreciate where the parish has been.
Perspectives from all six priests ordained on May 22, 2021: