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	Crucible Experience At Trying Time, Former Providence Athlete Becomes Priest By Colt Foutz cfoutz@suburbanchicagonews.com The Herald News May 30, 2002 http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/ focus/churchabuse/053002ordain.htm The path that has led Burke Masters to the priesthood is like the arc of a batted baseball: high and heading straight out to center. Faith, like the crack of bat meeting ball, has propelled Masters to this point. Although he wasn't raised Catholic, and though baseball was the career he initially chose, Masters grew closer to God as he grew up. When Masters heard the call to become a priest, he listened. "I thought I'd give the seminary a year, get God off my back and go back to baseball," Masters said. "But now I can't imagine doing anything else." After five years of study at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Masters, along with four others, will be ordained Saturday by the Joliet Diocese at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. These men, ranging in age from 34 to 40, mature and confident in their calling, represent what some believe to be the best hope of infusing new life into a church hit hard by scandal. Having just completed a long leg on their own journeys of faith, these five new priests — all of whom will serve in DuPage County — will be counted on to lead their congregations in an uncertain time. Masters is ready. "We've been in school for a long time," he said. "What I'm excited to do is get out there and put the things I've learned into practice." The path that has led Burke Masters to the priesthood is like the arc of a batted baseball: high and heading straight out to center. Faith, like the crack of bat meeting ball, has propelled Masters to this point. Although he wasn't raised Catholic, and though baseball was the career he initially chose, Masters grew closer to God as he grew up. When Masters heard the call to become a priest, he listened. "I thought I'd give the seminary a year, get God off my back and go back to baseball," Masters said. "But now I can't imagine doing anything else." After five years of study at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Masters, along with four others, will be ordained Saturday by the Joliet Diocese at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. These men, ranging in age from 34 to 40, mature and confident in their calling, represent what some believe to be the best hope of infusing new life into a church hit hard by scandal. Having just completed a long leg on their own journeys of faith, these five new priests — all of whom will serve in DuPage County — will be counted on to lead their congregations in an uncertain time. Masters is ready. "We've been in school for a long time," he said. "What I'm excited to do is get out there and put the things I've learned into practice." Finding faith Joe Rodeghero is the type of teacher kids feel comfortable around. After school or on weekends, students at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox could go to his home to play cards, talk or watch movies. Masters was a junior in Rodeghero's European history class when he asked to join the card games. Soon, Masters became like a son to Rodeghero and his wife, Debbie. He baby-sat for their daughter, Christa. When the couple's son, Zachary, was born, the first place Rodeghero went to share the news was Masters' house. The two would chat endlessly about baseball. Masters starred for the Providence varsity team, and Rodeghero coached the freshmen. Inevitably, though, the discussion would turn to God. Although Masters was raised Protestant, Rodeghero was a "cradle Catholic," and the two talked often about Christian faith. When Masters converted to Catholicism his senior year, he asked Rodeghero to be his godfather. "We joke about that sometimes, because of the movie," Masters said, referring to The Godfather. "But Joe and Debbie were a big influence on me. Just seeing how strong their marriage was and how important their Catholic faith was in their lives made a big impression." If Catholicism had become Masters' faith, baseball remained his devotion. After graduating from high school in 1985, he chose Mississippi State University, alma mater of major-leaguers Will Clark, Rafael Palmeiro and Bobby Thigpen. Masters seemed destined to follow in their footsteps. In four years, he set a conference record for career hits and was named GTE Academic Player of the Year. But when it came time for the 1990 Major League Baseball draft, no team selected Masters. He signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox and played two months in their farm system. His contract was not renewed. After going through several unsuccessful tryouts with other teams, Masters returned to Chicago and worked as an actuary for a year before deciding to take his love for baseball in another direction. He enrolled at Ohio State University and earned a master's degree in sports administration. From 1993 to 1997, he worked for the Kane County Cougars. He loved his job — but God's call was getting stronger. "I'd chased the dream of baseball since I was 8 years old," Masters said. "I thought I could see God's plan working with the Cougars. There wasn't a day I didn't go to work happy. I never thought I'd give that up." But many, including his own mother, had told Masters for years he should be a priest. The seed began taking root after his unsuccessful stint with the Sox. After a while with the Cougars, faith compelled him to listen to God. Masters contacted the vocation director for the diocese in Rockford, where he was living at the time, and asked about becoming a priest. Then he called Rodeghero. "I had mixed emotions because I knew Burke was good enough to work his way up to becoming possibly a general manager in the major leagues," Rodeghero said. "But also on the other side, I knew what a great example for young people Burke would be if he became a priest. It didn't shock me at all." Answering the call As vocation director for the Joliet Diocese, the Rev. John Regan knows the stories and backgrounds of every seminarian in his charge. It is his job to help aspiring priests examine their commitment to the priesthood and discern whether the qualities they possess will serve them well. "You're looking for good human characteristics — depth of faith, experience in leadership, heart of service, how they relate with people, maturity level," Regan said. "You want to know that they've got it together emotionally, psychologically and spiritually so they'll have the pastoral skill to do an effective ministry." Seminarians are subjected to a battery of tests upon entering school and throughout their studies, including criminal background checks and psychological evaluations. The diocese does not admit anyone who has committed a felony, Regan said. It's important because of the status priests have as leaders in the church, he said. "We recognize the responsibility we have and that these men will have in people's lives," he said. "We always err on the better judgment of caring for people than on giving a man a chance." Seminarians participate in chaplaincy and deaconship programs through the seminary. Masters served as a student chaplain at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. His duties included ministering to patients in the hospital's emergency room and medical surgical unit, said the Rev. Arlene Bowie, chaplaincy supervisor. Through one-on-one interaction with patients and group discussions with their peers, student chaplains learn to develop their pastoral identity, Bowie said. The experience sometimes causes students to rethink their calling, Bowie said. But Masters seems to be on the right track, she said. "My opinion is that he has made decisions in life that have really been very thoughtful, and he has not made them on his own," Bowie said. "He has sought out people to help him explore his own desires for the ministry. "For me, his decision is based very much on a good foundation. I wish everybody were like him." Masters and his fellow students also have sought support from one another. For much of their time at Mundelein, Masters and classmate Frank Infanger lived down the hall from each other. They shared notes from class, helped each other with readings and shared the experiences that led them to be priests. Through studying together at school and participating in periodic retreats, the five men have formed a bond only graduating classes can share, but that will likely strengthen their resolve as pastors, Regan said. "There's a unity to the seminary that helps build faith and helps you get through your doubts," Infanger said. "Everybody, from the guy who mows the grass to our teachers and on down, is there for one reason — to help us so we can be happy and healthy and holy priests." The challenge ahead Support is important as the Roman Catholic Church works to restore faith in the church during the nationwide removal of clergy members because of sexual misconduct. In the Joliet Diocese, 11 priests have been removed or have resigned since early April. Ron Beaumont is president of the Serra Club of DuPage County, a group that serves as a spiritual and social support network for students studying for the priesthood or other Catholic vocations. During recent months, the group has done what it can to help encourage priests and parishioners struggling with the sex-abuse issue. Beaumont said he thinks the newest group of priests will be well-equipped to lead congregations past the controversy and change the church in a positive way. "I think if anything, it strengthens their faith because they're determined that they're going to make things better," Beaumont said. "They've already gone through a battery of tests themselves. These are young men who have earned master's degrees, so it's going to take a lot more than scandal to discourage them." Masters and Infanger said sexual abuse in the clergy was often talked about at seminary, including during a special meeting with the rector. The discussions have helped seminarians gain a new sense of how honest they have to be with themselves and how open they have to be with parishioners, Masters said. "It's a call for a new sense of holiness," Masters said. "I think we need to live a transparent life, secure in who we are and secure in our faith in the Lord." "I think we need to do every little bit to earn their trust back," Infanger said. "And I think we will earn that trust back, and I think we will be welcomed back." But this is another area in which the group's experience will serve them well, Beaumont said. And the five will gain experience — even with the recent dismissals, the diocese is in no hurry to rush its new priests into heading up a parish. All five are expected to serve as associate pastors for two four-year terms before being promoted. For Masters, the weeks before he reports to St. Mary's Parish in West Chicago will be spent getting to know the congregation and brushing up on his Spanish to better communicate with Hispanic parishioners. Although he jokes about someday catching on with the new Joliet JackHammers minor-league baseball club, Masters said he is secure in his commitment to the priesthood and confident his past will only enrich his service. "I think the people will be glad we're not 25," Masters said. "I feel they can relate to us better because we're older, we've had relationships, we've worked in a 9-to-5 job." "And besides," Infanger said, "there's plenty of good homily material in that." Joe Rodeghero is the type of teacher kids feel comfortable around. After school or on weekends, students at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox could go to his home to play cards, talk or watch movies. Masters was a junior in Rodeghero's European history class when he asked to join the card games. Soon, Masters became like a son to Rodeghero and his wife, Debbie. He baby-sat for their daughter, Christa. When the couple's son, Zachary, was born, the first place Rodeghero went to share the news was Masters' house. The two would chat endlessly about baseball. Masters starred for the Providence varsity team, and Rodeghero coached the freshmen. Inevitably, though, the discussion would turn to God. Although Masters was raised Protestant, Rodeghero was a "cradle Catholic," and the two talked often about Christian faith. When Masters converted to Catholicism his senior year, he asked Rodeghero to be his godfather. "We joke about that sometimes, because of the movie," Masters said, referring to The Godfather. "But Joe and Debbie were a big influence on me. Just seeing how strong their marriage was and how important their Catholic faith was in their lives made a big impression." If Catholicism had become Masters' faith, baseball remained his devotion. After graduating from high school in 1985, he chose Mississippi State University, alma mater of major-leaguers Will Clark, Rafael Palmeiro and Bobby Thigpen. Masters seemed destined to follow in their footsteps. In four years, he set a conference record for career hits and was named GTE Academic Player of the Year. But when it came time for the 1990 Major League Baseball draft, no team selected Masters. He signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox and played two months in their farm system. His contract was not renewed. After going through several unsuccessful tryouts with other teams, Masters returned to Chicago and worked as an actuary for a year before deciding to take his love for baseball in another direction. He enrolled at Ohio State University and earned a master's degree in sports administration. From 1993 to 1997, he worked for the Kane County Cougars. He loved his job — but God's call was getting stronger. "I'd chased the dream of baseball since I was 8 years old," Masters said. "I thought I could see God's plan working with the Cougars. There wasn't a day I didn't go to work happy. I never thought I'd give that up." But many, including his own mother, had told Masters for years he should be a priest. The seed began taking root after his unsuccessful stint with the Sox. After a while with the Cougars, faith compelled him to listen to God. Masters contacted the vocation director for the diocese in Rockford, where he was living at the time, and asked about becoming a priest. Then he called Rodeghero. "I had mixed emotions because I knew Burke was good enough to work his way up to becoming possibly a general manager in the major leagues," Rodeghero said. "But also on the other side, I knew what a great example for young people Burke would be if he became a priest. It didn't shock me at all." Answering the call As vocation director for the Joliet Diocese, the Rev. John Regan knows the stories and backgrounds of every seminarian in his charge. It is his job to help aspiring priests examine their commitment to the priesthood and discern whether the qualities they possess will serve them well. "You're looking for good human characteristics — depth of faith, experience in leadership, heart of service, how they relate with people, maturity level," Regan said. "You want to know that they've got it together emotionally, psychologically and spiritually so they'll have the pastoral skill to do an effective ministry." Seminarians are subjected to a battery of tests upon entering school and throughout their studies, including criminal background checks and psychological evaluations. The diocese does not admit anyone who has committed a felony, Regan said. It's important because of the status priests have as leaders in the church, he said. "We recognize the responsibility we have and that these men will have in people's lives," he said. "We always err on the better judgment of caring for people than on giving a man a chance." Seminarians participate in chaplaincy and deaconship programs through the seminary. Masters served as a student chaplain at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. His duties included ministering to patients in the hospital's emergency room and medical surgical unit, said the Rev. Arlene Bowie, chaplaincy supervisor. Through one-on-one interaction with patients and group discussions with their peers, student chaplains learn to develop their pastoral identity, Bowie said. The experience sometimes causes students to rethink their calling, Bowie said. But Masters seems to be on the right track, she said. "My opinion is that he has made decisions in life that have really been very thoughtful, and he has not made them on his own," Bowie said. "He has sought out people to help him explore his own desires for the ministry. "For me, his decision is based very much on a good foundation. I wish everybody were like him." Masters and his fellow students also have sought support from one another. For much of their time at Mundelein, Masters and classmate Frank Infanger lived down the hall from each other. They shared notes from class, helped each other with readings and shared the experiences that led them to be priests. Through studying together at school and participating in periodic retreats, the five men have formed a bond only graduating classes can share, but that will likely strengthen their resolve as pastors, Regan said. "There's a unity to the seminary that helps build faith and helps you get through your doubts," Infanger said. "Everybody, from the guy who mows the grass to our teachers and on down, is there for one reason — to help us so we can be happy and healthy and holy priests." The challenge ahead Support is important as the Roman Catholic Church works to restore faith in the church during the nationwide removal of clergy members because of sexual misconduct. In the Joliet Diocese, 11 priests have been removed or have resigned since early April. Ron Beaumont is president of the Serra Club of DuPage County, a group that serves as a spiritual and social support network for students studying for the priesthood or other Catholic vocations. During recent months, the group has done what it can to help encourage priests and parishioners struggling with the sex-abuse issue. Beaumont said he thinks the newest group of priests will be well-equipped to lead congregations past the controversy and change the church in a positive way. "I think if anything, it strengthens their faith because they're determined that they're going to make things better," Beaumont said. "They've already gone through a battery of tests themselves. These are young men who have earned master's degrees, so it's going to take a lot more than scandal to discourage them." Masters and Infanger said sexual abuse in the clergy was often talked about at seminary, including during a special meeting with the rector. The discussions have helped seminarians gain a new sense of how honest they have to be with themselves and how open they have to be with parishioners, Masters said. "It's a call for a new sense of holiness," Masters said. "I think we need to live a transparent life, secure in who we are and secure in our faith in the Lord." "I think we need to do every little bit to earn their trust back," Infanger said. "And I think we will earn that trust back, and I think we will be welcomed back." But this is another area in which the group's experience will serve them well, Beaumont said. And the five will gain experience — even with the recent dismissals, the diocese is in no hurry to rush its new priests into heading up a parish. All five are expected to serve as associate pastors for two four-year terms before being promoted. For Masters, the weeks before he reports to St. Mary's Parish in West Chicago will be spent getting to know the congregation and brushing up on his Spanish to better communicate with Hispanic parishioners. Although he jokes about someday catching on with the new Joliet JackHammers minor-league baseball club, Masters said he is secure in his commitment to the priesthood and confident his past will only enrich his service. "I think the people will be glad we're not 25," Masters said. "I feel they can relate to us better because we're older, we've had relationships, we've worked in a 9-to-5 job." "And besides," Infanger said, "there's plenty of good homily material in that."
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