My Son the Priest

"When Bobby was a little boy, he was a bit of a roughneck. He loved to climb trees, go skate boarding, play football and spin turtles around on his record player. In the process, he broke his arm, his leg and his foot twice. He also had his share of stitches," recalled Florence Tynski, mother of Father Robert Tynski, the 34-year-old vocations director for the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey. "We have lots of family photos of Bobby at holiday gatherings on the couch in a cast. Each of my gray hairs is named Bobby!"

Bob Tynski remembers his son as a "little rascal,"but also as a boy who showed compassion for people in need. "Bobby was in first grade and he came home from school one day very upset that a boy in his class didn't have a jacket. We went out and bought two jackets because he was so concerned about his classmate," Mr. Tynski said. " Bob was a very active youngster, but he's always been very caring."

Young Bob Tynski was an only child who went to Mass with his family at St. Bonaventure's in Lavallette, New Jersey. He attended public school where he played on the football and wrestling team. One day he came home from school with some interesting news that would put him on a whole new playing field.

"Bobby was a sophomore or junior in high school when he said, 'Mom and Dad, I really think I would like to be a priest,'" remembers Florence. "Well, this almost bowled us over. "We went to Mass on Sundays and our faith was very important to us, but we weren't an overly religious family. I told Bob that we'd help him in any way we could and that we'd support him all the way." Mr. Tynski also recalled the momentous day. "I was surprised, being that Bob didn't go to Catholic school and that I had never heard him express the thought before. But I said to Bob, 'If that's what you want, that's what you should do.' I didn't know a lot about the priesthood but I knew it was important to Bob. I told him we would find out what he needed to do and talk to the priests in our parish. I've often thought that the biggest disappointment for many children is to have a dream and to be denied taking that journey because their parents have something else in mind."

Bob Tynski enrolled in St. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan, and then entered St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. On May 20, 1989, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John Reiss. Father Tynski has served as an associate pastor and in his present job he is responsible for recruiting men to the priesthood and assisting them in their religious formation. He spends much of his time speaking about vocations to parishes, youth groups and schools throughout the diocese.

Mrs. Tynski also does her share to help promote vocations. She is a member of a group called Mothers of Priests. "We call ourselves MOPS," she joked. "We meet four times a year for a Holy Hour and we pray for our sons, priests everywhere, and for vocations. Once a year the seven chapters of Mothers of Priests gather for an annual day of retreat."
Mr. Tynski also remarked that many people tell him that he's making a sacrifice by having a son who is a priest. "I don't look at it that way at all," he said. "It is wonderfully rewarding to be the parent of a priest. It's certainly not a hardship. In fact we've had the opportunity to meet so many people. "It's expanded our horizons. We do see firsthand the tremendous workload that priests have today. There are so many problems in our world and in people's lives. I'm convinced that what would help is to have more priests. There is a lot of talk today that the church needs more vocations. It's not really the church that needs more vocations, it's people who need more vocations, more priests."

Mrs. Tynski agrees that being the parent of a priest isn't a hardship. As the mother of an only child she understands that many people feel the real sacrifice is a life without grandchildren. "We love children and have found lots of ways to express that love," said Mrs. Tynski. "We realize that we were so blessed in having Bobby as a son. He was our gift from God. By supporting him and his service as a priest, I am simply returning the gift."