by John Sorce
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Everyone needs a getaway at some point.
Even priests — and they have a special way of doing so.
A sabbatical, according to the handbook of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, is defined as “an educational or personal spiritual renewal experience that a priest may seek to assist in his personal and/or pastoral growth.”
Priests can ask the archbishop for a sabbatical after serving for a minimum of 10 years in the archdiocese. They would then have to serve for another 10 years before they could apply again.
Requests go directly to the archbishop and outline why the priest wants the sabbatical and what his goals would be during that time.
Time to recharge
According to Father Nathan Haverland, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, who heads up continuing education for priests in the archdiocese, goals for a sabbatical are tailored towards each priest. The timing of one can also differ.
“Some guys will do a sabbatical in between assignments,” Father Haverland said. “Some do it in the middle of assignment, and somebody would be appointed administrator while the priest is away.
“Each scenario depends on the uniqueness of the timing and situation.”
One priest who recently completed a sabbatical is Father Greg Hammes, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe.
Father Hammes started thinking about taking a sabbatical last January. He officially wrote a letter and outlined a six-month plan, which was approved.
“I saw an opportunity between some big things going on at the parish where I thought there [were] six months I could squeeze out,” he said. “I also knew I had stable help here and had people who could cover Prince of Peace while I was gone.”
His sabbatical lasted from July through January and began with spending some time with family and friends.
Rekindling those relationships was one thing that stood out to him.
“I don’t get that a lot as a big parish pastor, and I really remembered that life is about relationships,” Father Hammes said. “And I include [my relationship with] the Lord with my family and friends.”
He then traveled to Portugal where he was able to tour Lisbon, take a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima and walk the Camino de Santiago.
Father Hammes then joined a program for priests on sabbatical in Rome at the Institute of Continuing Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College.
“It was very cool to meet priests from across the world at the Rome program,” he said. “We all have similar joys and challenges, and it was great to get a renewed sense of the bigger church as well.”
It was then that he noticed a common theme for his trips to Rome.
“I was in Rome for the Jubilee, and I realized I keep showing up in Rome on Jubilees,” he said. “I went to the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016 with the parish choir at my previous parish. Then the one before that in 2000, I was backpacking there after just graduating college.
“For some reason, I tend to end up in Rome on the Jubilee, even if I don’t purposely intend it.”
Success is spiritual renewal
After his time in Rome, Father Hammes returned to the United States to do a 30-day silent retreat in California, practicing the spiritual exercise of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
It was here where he felt his prayer start to move to another level.
“My prayer was fine when [the sabbatical] first started,” Father Hammes said. “But it was really amped when I went on my 30-day retreat and pretty much all I did was pray.
“It helped deepen my prayer life, remind me how important that is and just brought a good renewal to it.”
After spending the holidays with family, he wrapped up the sabbatical by taking a trip to Costa Rica with his priest prayer group.
“Father Daniel Coronado is originally from Costa Rica, so we had a great tour guide,” Father Hammes said.
While there, he was able to visit San Jose and Our Lady of the Angels Basilica in Cartago, as well as spend fellowship time with other priests.
Father Hammes returned to Prince of Peace at the end of January. His parishioners were glad to have him back, and he feels refreshed in his ministry.
“They’re glad that I’m back and they’re still saying that a few months later,” he said. “I think there was some worry if I would be back, but that was never a question. A sabbatical is about time to refresh and renew a good thing, which is my vocation as a priest.
“I feel like there was a grace that I asked for, and I think I really received it. I was praying before the sabbatical, and the theme of the biblical word of ‘steadfast’ came to mind.
“I want to have that strength and stability to finish the rest of my life strong.”
Father Haverland shared his idea of a successful sabbatical.
“I think success is when a priest comes back spiritually renewed and ready for pastoral ministry,” Father Haverland said. “That might also come with some educational experience to help him better minister to his people.”
Father Hammes would encourage any priest who is able to take a sabbatical to do so.
“If you can make it happen, do it,” he said. “We priests have a lot on our plates, and it can be hard to give yourself proper self-care. I think this will sustain me for many years.”
