Synopsis

On August 4th , the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St John Vianney-the patron of priests. The day is commemorated as Pastors Day and is dedicated to all “Pastors” who work tirelessly, vigorously, and unselfishly for the Church.
Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney was born on May 8, 1786, in Dardilly, South-East France. He was the fourth of six children born to Matthieu Vianney and Marie, who were pious Christians. The day is dedicated to “Pastors” since John Vianney, was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 31, 1925, and named the patron of pastors in 1929. The Pope also encouraged all priests to look at Saint Vianney as an example of dedication to one’s priestly vocation. The incorrupt body of Saint Vianney is entombed above the main altar in the Basilica of Ars. With his life of penance and prayer, he was able to revive the faith of his parishioners at Ars, who otherwise had fallen into a comfortable life away from faith. He spent hours at the confessional, and history tells us that his work as a confessor is John Vianney’s most remarkable accomplishment.

Why Pastors appreciation is so important:
In today’s society, the demand for pastors has been on the rise. With the increased interest in spirituality and religion, many people are looking for spiritual guidance and a place of worship.
The role of a pastor is different than just being a religious leader. They offer guidance to those who need it and offer counsel to those who might be struggling with their faith or life in general. Church leaders are entrusted to watch over the entire congregation, small group, family group, etc. This can be a very overwhelming task and one that can lead to a lot of stress. Pastors have a tendency to serve whether it is within their ministry or outside of the church walls, they simply love to serve and meet the needs of others. It is important to notice everything that your Pastor does for the congregation but what most people don’t realize is that they are not given back very often. Pastors provide an important function in our society as they help strengthen communities and create connections between people of all backgrounds.
This is the one time during the year when we are reminded to consider our Pastor, think specifically about his challenges and how you can personally or as a congregation encourage him. We should all understand our Pastors or Leaders and appreciate them as much as they encourage each of us. At the end of the day, they are like you and me, they are a part of the body of Christ, just like us and they should be thought of and supported in similar ways. They are held to a higher calling and are entrusted with the well-being of the entire congregation.

A Gesture:
Let us be honest; pastors, and without detailing, we hear a lot more criticism than praise. They don’t work for your applause, yet they rarely get thanked enough. There could be multiple ways that could run into pages as how to celebrate your Pastors’ appreciation. But for today let’s be appreciative with a simple prayer for him and a sincere “Thank you!” that can go a long way.
If you are reading this, there is a good chance that there is or there are pastors who has made a significant difference in your lives. So take a moment to share your appreciation with them and let them know how thankful you are for their service to the church.
With my Spiritual salutations.

Agnelo A.S. Fernandes
Ward 12
Source & References: Research from various websites