WASHINGTON (CNS) — Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, New Jersey, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, is encouraging dioceses to use National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 7-13, as a time to foster vocations in their local faith communities. “Studies of those recently ordained and religiously […]
One can look to St. Joseph as a model for vocations. When he learned his virgin wife was carrying the Lord’s child, he discerned his part in the God’s plan and learned his role in the life of Jesus. In this Year of St. Joseph, our Buffalo seminarians look to St. Joseph as they […]
John and Molly Finch speak on married life at the Aug. 7 vocations conference. Held at St. Amelia Parish in Tonawanda, the conference explained the call to marriage, single life, priesthood and religious life. Photo by Nicole Dzimira The word vocations is usually associated with choosing a career, but the term literally means calling. To […]
Bishop Michael W. Fisher blesses Deacon William Broderick Jr. during the Ordination of Deacons Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral. Photo by Dan Cappellazzo It started with a simple question. “Have you ever considered becoming a deacon?” When an already active permanent deacon asked William Broderick Jr. to consider joining the diaconate, he did so with […]
Bishop Michael Fisher, assisted by Father Sean Paul Fleming, blesses Sister Maryann Ezeali and Sister Emilia Ogu as they profess their vows as Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The May 9, Mass took place at St. Peter Church in Lewiston, not far from the Sacred Heart Villa School where the sisters teach. Photo […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Increasing vocations to the priesthood, improving the way laypeople and priests work together and ensuring that service, not power, motivates the request for ordination are all possible outcomes of a major symposium being planned by the Vatican in February 2022. ”A theological symposium does not claim to offer practical solutions to […]
The Diocese of Syracuse is taking their annual priestly Discernment Retreat digital this year by conducting a daylong session via Zoom. The virtual conference will gather young men from across the state who are considering a call to the priesthood. Dynamic talks on the priesthood will be delivered by vocation directors from Syracuse, Ogdensburg and […]
“God wants to fulfill the desires of your heart.” This was the message that stayed with me after attending a retreat when I was a teenager and continued to resonate in my soul as I discerned my vocation.
It’s like getting that bicycle that you wanted for Christmas. Father David Baker has been appointed the new diocesan vocation director, a role he has been eyeing since his early days in the priesthood. The 48-year-old had been serving as pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Akron for nearly five years when he […]
Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has appointed Father Kevin Creagh, CM, to the newly created position of vicar for Evangelization and Ministerial Formation. Father Creagh, who has served as president/rector of Christ the King Seminary for the past year, has a long history in education and formation. “Father Kevin’s zeal for cultivating and nurturing the call […]
