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Charles Maternoski
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Kairos Yearcmaternoski12gmail.comParish: SS. Edward & Isidore Parish, Flintville
Birthday: December 20
Holy Name of Jesus House of Formation
2589 S. Webster Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54301-2951
Which saint should people invoke for your vocation?
St. John Paul II. His beautiful example of how to be a disciple and embrace trials
and tribulations is inspiring to me! Additionally, his love for Mary motivates me to
love her more.
Coffee or tea?
If I was forced to choose, I would drink decaffeinated tea, but
coffee and tea are not very tasty. So, you will find me drinking
lots of water!
If Jesus drove a vehicle during his public ministry, what
would it be?
Jesus would totally be driving a Ford Transit pulling a camper.
His whole mission crew could drive and sleep on the road
comfortably. Unfortunately, Ford and campers did not exist 2,000
years ago, so they had to stick with the old heel-to-toe express.
What is your ideal way to spend the Lord’s Day?
It would start with Mass and a Holy Hour, then a big brunch with
my family. Following brunch, I would play a game of ultimate
Frisbee with my friends. In this ideal scenario, I would be flown
to my cottage up north and spend the evening on the water.
That is not realistic, however. Rather, I would play games and
have a big dinner with my family and friends at home.
If you could celebrate Mass anywhere in the world, where
would you and why?
This is by no means extravagant, but my heart kept coming
back to this. I would love to celebrate Mass in a two-stall garage
chapel at the University of Minnesota-Duluth Newman Center.
There is something so special about it! I first encountered the
Lord here, and it’s where most of the following growth occurred.
The way the Lord worked in my heart in that simple chapel is
why I am a seminarian today and why it would mean so much to
celebrate Mass there. Unfortunately, it will be taken down soon,
so it will not be possible.
What spiritual book or author has most influenced your
journey of discipleship?
“He Leadeth Me” by Fr. Walter Ciszek is a very influential book to
me. I began reading it right around the time I began discerning
the priesthood. It was a very fitting book to read at that time,
as it provided me with a deeper awareness of suffering and
recognizing that God can work through anything. Fr. Walter
endured hell on earth, and the Lord purified him through that.
The witness of his story showed me in a profound way how the
Lord can work in our lowest moments. I found myself reflecting
on the low moments in my life and saw the Lord present in them.
In that recognition of the importance of suffering, I feel better
equipped to aid others through trials. I know that formation will
bear its fair share of crosses, and Fr. Walter has provided me with
greater insight as to how these crosses can prove to be fruitful.
How is the Eucharist meant to foster unity in the Church?
As we approach Mass, the offering of the Mass for a particular
person fosters great unity in the Church. At the beginning of
Mass, I often say “Lord, I am offering this Mass for my mom” (as
an example). This way, the moment the Eucharist is raised up,
so is that person you offered the Mass for. If we continually offer
the Eucharist up in this way, the Church will become stronger
through the sanctification of the world that takes place at each
Mass. Through our baptism, we are called to be “Little Christs,”
and the fastest way to do so is by receiving Jesus each day. As
we allow Jesus to work within us, we become more like him. The
more the body of believers is united to the head of the Church in
Jesus, the more united we are as a body of believers on earth.
If possible, receive Jesus daily!
Along with receiving Jesus, adoring him in the Eucharist is a
splendid idea. Just as you spend time with a friend on earth,
spending time with Jesus draws you closer to him. If everyone
on earth spent time adoring Jesus daily, imagine how different
the world would be! “Little Christs” would be everywhere, sharing
the Good News! Unfortunately, that is not the reality we live in,
so we must grow closer to Jesus. This way, we can share his
love with those who do not know him, bringing about greater
unity in the Church.