Florida Catholic | Fit For Ministry

Fit for ministry

Some priests and finding that physical fitness goes hand–in–hand with spiritual fitness.

JANET SHELTON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC ST. PETERSBURG BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 07.18.08

JANET SHELTON | FC
To stay fit for his ministry, Father Ted Costello works out at LA Fitness in Clearwater.

CLEARWATER | Six days a week, Father Anthony Coppola of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish takes an hour or so break from his ministry to prepare himself for ministry. He heads to a local gym and then runs, lifts weights or works out on a cross trainer.

The Spring Hill priest said working out and eating right brings out his best for the people he serves.

“I feel so much more alive in my faith and my ministry when I’m exercising,” he said. “I’m happy.”

Studies on the connection between ministry and fitness agree. Catholic News Service reports that 76 percent of Christian clergy surveyed in a 2001 Duke Divinity School were overweight or obese, a rate 15 percent higher than Americans in the general population. Other studies have delivered similar conclusions.

Priests are susceptible to the same barriers to good health their parishioners face: a lack of time, easy access to unhealthy food, etc. Having a work schedule that can change by the hour can destroy the best fitness plan.

Father Coppola works hard at being healthy. He watches his diet, takes vitamins and succeeds in keeping an exercise regimen by being flexible in the time and places where he works out.

“I joined a gym called Anytime Fitness, which is a really good gym for clergy because it’s open 24/7 (and) they have gyms all around the area,” he said. “The good thing about being a priest is you do have the flexibility. You may have a meeting in the evening, but you do have time in the morning or afternoon (to work out). … I’m pretty flexible with the time and I think that has been key for me.”

A priest’s service often brings difficult circumstances and negative energies. Reaching out to someone approaching death, trying to negotiate a capital campaign or just listening patiently as people complain – and they do complain in churches – would be a drain on any mere human.

“Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you say, people can be very demanding at times,” said Father Ted Costello of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Clearwater, “They can be very critical at times and harsh.”

To get fit for ministry, Father Costello heads to LA Fitness in Clearwater. “You get your natural endorphins lined up. When that’s good, you have a clear mind and energy,” he said. “I take the stress … out on my weights instead of my people, and they feel better, too.”

People at St. Michael know their parochial vicar works out. He sees more than a few of them at the gym, so they probably understand themselves the connection between being fit and serving well. What’s healthy for the priest is healthy for the flock.

Father Ken Malley’s fitness program does more than keep him healthy. It creates an connection to people outside the church, and that has allowed him to address the spiritual needs of distanced Catholics and enjoy discussions with non–Catholics who are curious about the faith.

JANET SHELTON | FC
Father Ken Malley’s fitness program does more than keep him healthy. It creates an connection to people outside the church, and that has allowed him to address the spiritual needs of distanced Catholics and enjoy discussions with non–Catholics who are curious about the faith.

Father Ken Malley, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, does much of his working out outdoors. A triathlete and marathon runner, Father Malley has competed in area competitions for several years.

Before becoming pastor of the Clearwater parish, he taught health and fitness to seminarians. It was designed to help them get through the stresses of college and the seminary, and to build a foundation for a more healthful life.

“We were trying to teach the holistic program in the college seminary,” Father Malley said. “It really affects the whole person when you are developing good habits. Especially at the college level, it’s important.”

Father Malley said he likes to mix up his fitness routine and prefers aerobics – such as running, swimming, biking or calisthenics. On weekdays, he dedicates an hour or so a couple of times a week to his effort.

“When I exercise, it helps me flush out that … stress,” he said. “I’m a lot nicer.”

Father Malley actually brings a lot of work and faith into his exercise. He rides his bike as the sun is rising and feels immersed in “the glory of God.” He thinks about his homilies as he runs. He bicycles with a group that includes non-Catholics and nonpracticing Catholics, and it’s not unusual for the conversation to turn to faith matters.

“These guys I ride with … we get into great conversations,” he said.

Father Malley often prays while he’s getting that outdoor exercise. When he was a seminarian working at Good Counsel Camp in Floral City, he and some of the kids were praying hard during a Withlacoochee River kayak trip after alligators started swimming under their crafts. A few years ago, he and former Spirit FM radio personality Gus Lloyd ran a marathon together; the last few miles, the two prayed the rosary. It not only connected them with Mary, it improved their time.

“It helps my breathing. It helps my cadence. … My pace picks up,” Father Malley said. “It’s good prayer time. I think people think we only pray on our knees.”

Father Malley said developing a healthy physical lifestyle is not unlike developing a healthy spiritual life. “Some days it’s easy to get in the groove. Other times, it tough getting those first two miles in,” he said. “You have to start at small steps and build up.”

Father Coppola said everyone needs ways to release stress in their lives. The question is only whether that stress will come in ways that hurt or harm. Exercise is a better choice than overeating or drinking.

“People get involved in a lot of negative things because they don’t have that outlet,” he said. “Getting rid of that physical energy does wear you down and tire you out. It gets rid of the stress.”

The Spring Hill priest knows that, priest or parishioner, it isn’t easy to summon up the willpower it takes to do what is healthy. He recommends turning to Jesus.

“You always have to start with Jesus. I always ask him to help me eat right and exercise,” he said. “It’s always him I feel in my will. He strengthens my will.”

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