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26 1 I grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, and the monsignor who ran our parish closed the kitchen on Saturday and Sunday. So, the parochial vicars had to go searching for food. Well, my mom was a won- derful cook, so periodically, the priests would come over, specifi- cally for my mom's chocolate cake. In the process of doing that, I met Father William O'Collin, and something about his dyna- mism, energy and passion for his vocation really got my attention. I was also trained by Benedic- tine Sisters during elementary school, and occasionally, they would tell me, "You ought to think about being a priest." I didn't want to, but obviously, they planted some seeds. Then, in college, I found myself listening to my friends' prob- lems, and as a result, I began thinking about redirecting my choice from studying pharmacy to becoming a priest. 2 Well, one outstanding thing is that I never think of this in individual terms: my work, my successes, what I've done. I've been uniquely blessed in all the parishes I've served, with both lay and religious individuals. Thinking about the last 50 years, it really has been a journey in companionship to help make our parishes life-giving and nourish- ing for the faithful. It's not really my journey, but the journey of a whole lot of people and me. I feel nothing but gratitude for the opportunities I've had. I'd like to express my gratitude to the brothers I've served with. Father Tom, Father Bill and Monsignor Bernie have all been so remarkably supportive on this journey. We've laughed and cried together, and I've been blessed to have their friendship. 3 The vocation to the priest- hood or religious life always seems overwhelming. But as a vocation, it is an oppor- tunity to serve in love with others. If you open yourself to serve, even amid work, you'll know abundant blessings. Father James Fox 26 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | DENVER CATHOLIC