By John Stegeman
The Catholic Telegraph

The recent ordination of priests for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati took place almost one year to the day following the previous year’s class. The Catholic Telegraph’s Throwback Thursday team caught up with the 2014 ordinands — Father James Riehle and Father Brian Phelps — to see what life was like one year after ordination.

Father Riehle serves as the parochial vicar of Holy Angels parish in Sidney and teaches at Lehman Catholic High School. Father Phelps is parochial vicar at Incarnation in Centerville. The men were ordained May 17, 2014.

Father Riehle

The Catholic Telegraph (CT): How did your first year live up to expectations?

Father Riehle: “It was great. Obviously full of surprises and unexpected things. It was a good year.”

CT: What lessons have your learned in the past year?

Father Riehle: “I learn more and more than I’m not in charge. I just sort of trust in the church and trust in the Lord and let Him take charge.”

CT: What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Father Riehle: “It will be nice to have year under my belt to know what to expect better. I’m teaching at Lehman so having that year down it will be less finding my way and I’ll be more comfortable. I thank people for their prayers.”

Father Phelps

CT: How did your first year live up to expectations?

Father Phelps: “It went beyond my expectations. Once you get into it you start really realizing the greatness of it and also how much you must rely on the grace of God and other people for your ministry.”

CT: What lessons have your learned in the past year?

Father Phelps: “Always seek in prayer first. Make sure every day your day begins with prayer. There are many people in the parish that God has given many gifts.“

CT: What advice to you have for the newly ordained priests?

Father Phelps: “Understand who you are and your gifts so that you may live your life as a priest. Trust that God will be with you in your ministry.”

Welcome to The Catholic Telegraph’s edition of Throwback Thursday. Throwback Thursday is a weekly online activity wherein users of social media share an old photo or anecdote about times gone by.We use Throwback Thursday to highlight the history of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and our publication.

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Posted May 21, 2015