Fr. Adam Streitenberger, while Parochial Vicar at Newark St. Francis de Sales,
Talks About his Second Year as a Priest

Celibacy

Fr. Streitenberger admits that celibacy is surprisingly easier than he thought it would be. “Parish life and priestly work fill the void that is one might suspect to be left in celibacy.”

He says that after ordination, it made sense for a priest be celibate because “celibacy enables me to be open to becoming a true father to the people.”

Prayer

Fr. Streitenberger prays his holy hour after breakfast and before Mass. “Sometimes I short change the time because of lack of discipline, but I always get some time in for meditation, in addition to the required Liturgy of the Hours.”

Evangelization

Fr. Streitenberger finds that every homily has to be evangelical. “There are so many people in the pews that have a minimal understanding of Christ and His Church.”

He also believes that marriage preparation is entirely evangelistic. “The Diocesan priesthood in America is about evangelizing the already baptized; it is the New Evangelization.”

The Breviary

Praying the Breviary has changed since seminary according to Fr. Streitenberger. “One way it has changed is that I am rarely able to say the Hours at their proper time. However, on the plus side, the Liturgy of the Hours has taken on a more important role in my spiritual life because it is my primary spiritual reading.”

Indispensable Knowledge from Seminary

Fr. Streitenberger said that in seminary he learned that he needs a holy hour and a spiritual director.

Preaching

Fr. Streitenberger tries to begin reading and praying with the readings for the coming Sunday on the Monday before. Throughout the week, and often on Thursdays, he reads the commentaries and tries to develop a thesis for the homily.

“On Saturday, or sometimes Sunday morning, I write an outline. I rarely if ever write out the entire homily.”

Favorite Church Season

Fr. Streitenberger enjoys Lent the most because he says that it is “easier.”

Advice for Engaged/Married Couples

He recommends that couples make Christ the center of their marriage preparation and their marriage.
“It is only when marriage is built on Christ that it will endure.”

Counseling

Fr. Streitenberger estimates that he spends 25% of his time counseling people, and that includes Confession, daily conversation, marriage prep, or even annulments.

“Seminary helps in that so much as one develops an understanding of human behavior and obtains wisdom through the Holy Spirit.”