Watch the television interview with Jason Adams from Mid Day with Phil Streetman on WSST-TV on July 15, 2008

Reprinted from Cordele Dispatch By BECKY CRISSMAN (becky.crissman@gaflnews.com)
 
CORDELE July 15, 2008 — As children grow, parents always wish the best for them. Parents want their children to find peace and contentment and live their lives in a manner that brings them honor and respect, and parents also have hopes that their children will follow their dreams and achieve the goals they set for themselves.

On Sunday one young Cordele native will follow his dream all the way to Rome, Italy. Jason Adams, a fifth-generation Catholic and the son of Joy and Billy Adams, will be boarding a plane and winging his way to Vatican City as he continues his path into the Catholic priesthood.

A 2002 graduate of Crisp County High, Adams says he was usually the only Catholic student in his classes.

“People have a lot of questions about being Catholic.” he said “One of the most common things I have encountered is when people are asked about their religion they say they are Christian or Buddhist or whatever. Then I tell them that I am a Christian as well and they seem surprised. Then I explain to them that the Catholic denomination is actually one of the largest Christian Denominations in the world.”

After high school graduation he attended college at Valdosta State where he studied political science.

“My junior and senior year I lived in the Catholic student center. I was able to be around more people that shared my faith. I did spend a lot of time with people of other denominations. It was kind of a common goal for all of us to educate each other about our individual faiths. Sometimes we just agreed to disagree, but the only way to truly understand a particular religion is to talk with someone involved directly with it.”
Adams said that his call to the priesthood came during his senior year of college. He attended a Mass in Ohio, along with over 4,000 other Catholics. It was there that he met a seminarian who was studying philosophy.

“I had spent so much time doing what I wanted instead of asking God what his plan was for me. After college I attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland where I studied pre-theology,” Adams said.

In preparation for his trip, Adams has already completed his first pastoral assignment. In June he worked as a seminarian at St. Joseph’s Church in Waycross under the tutelage of Fr. Thomas Healy. While there Fr. Healy guided him in performing pre-marriage documentation, prison ministry, and pastoral care. Adams has also given a talk on “Rediscovering our Catholic Identity,” expressing a desire for Catholics to become more excited about their faith.

“I have also studied up on Italian a little with Rosetta Stone. I want to have at least a basic knowledge of the language so I can understand some of what is going on.”
Adams becomes increasingly excited as his departure date draws closer.

“This truly must be the work of the Lord. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel very humbled. I am also very prayerful as I take this step in my life. All I ask is that everyone who would please remember me in your prayers,” he said.

Much of his time right now is being spent with family, including his sister Angela and grandparents Pat and Joyce Fitzgibbons, church family, and friends. Once he arrives in Italy he will be studying there for the next four years and for the first two of those he will not be able to return to the states. Family and friends will be allowed to visit him, and he hopes to receive plenty of phone calls and letters.

“My parents are happy for me and supportive of my decisions. They will need prayer to, because they are parents. I hope this will open doors for my family to expand their horizons getting passports and traveling to see me. One thing is certain no matter where we are on this earth we are always united in prayer,” Adams said.

Upon arrival in Italy, Jason will be staying in Vatican City, where the Pope resides.
“We can wake up to the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica. We will even have the opportunity to attend Papal Mass with the Pope presiding. It will be an honor to be that close to someone such as the Pope. It doesn’t matter who you are or what denomination you belong to, the Pope is known by all.”

In August, Jason will be studying Italian in Assisi (Italian immersion program). September will begin a month-long orientation and classes will begin in October at the Angelicum University in Rome, only thirty minutes from Vatican City. For the first three years he will be studying theology in English. After his third year, Jason will be ordained as a deacon in Rome and then return for ordination in Savannah in 2012 after his fourth and final year in college.

“The ordination will be just in time for my ten-year high school reunion,” Adams said with a smile.

Sunday the parishioners of Adams’ home church, St. Theresa’s of Cordele, will be holding an arrivaderci (goodbye) party in the parish hall at 10:45 a.m. Friends, family and neighbors are invited to attend to show their support for the young man.