Vocations
Vocations Video | 8
Ways to Encourage Vocations | Today's
Priests |Religious Communities of Men | Representation of Women Religious in the Diocese | Seminarians | Vocation Services Unit
Upcoming Vocations Related Events:
Women’s Vocation Retreats
RETREAT - July 10-11, 2009, in St. Augustine. For info: 904-610-9228 or kpower@orlandodiocese.org. Download the pdf document and see page 17 for more details...
MONASTIC EXPERIENCE - Are you seeking a life of prayer & Community? It may be God calling. To help you discern & answer that call we invite you to our Monastic Experience, June 28 - July 5, 2009. The week is designed to help single Catholic women in their 20's - 50's who are inquiring re: monastic life.
Learn, listen, discern, & be supported in your search by a loving/praying community at Holy Name Monastery in St. Leo, FL.
Experience monastic life for yourself by living & praying with the Benedictine Sisters of FL. Want to know more? Contact S. Mary David, OSB to ask your questions or request an application. phone 352-588-8320.
Inspirations
Needed: Carriers of HOPE By S. Mary David Hydro, OSB
"What the world needs now is love, sweet love!" —it's an old song and still quite true, but it seems to me also that what the world needs now is Hope.
"Our hope is in God who loved us and sent his Son to redeem us," Pope Benedict XVI says in his latest encyclical, "Spe Salvi" God is ultimately the foundation of our hope and the One who can be trusted to keep his promises.
Christians must be persons of Hope, carriers of Hope. It is too easy to look at the war, violence, hunger, poverty and disease in our world and to want to give up in despair–or treat it like some do global warming–something that doesn't exist, or if it does, to explain that these conditions are just cycles we pass through.
Signs of distress do exist: hunger/famine, the AIDS pandemic, lack of education and health care, homelessness, racism, senseless violence, abuse, severe poverty, the cost of war–in lives and dollars... We cannot deny that they are all around us if we open our eyes.
In our society, we find many today seeking material prosperity through consumerism or self-aggrandizement. At the same time, however we see others who are seeking "meaning" in their lives by turning or returning to religion/spirituality for an inner life and a connection to God. We need to see this spiritual hunger as a sign of Hope.
We each can be a sign of Hope by living our faith and welcoming the seekers. (St. Benedict says in his Rule that we are all seekers, beginners and learners on the Christian path.) Here are some ways I think each of us can seek to be a sign of Hope:
- Counter the difficulties, disunity and injustice of our time with a positive attitude & good actions
- Pray instead of getting discouraged or worrying
- Do something to solve a problem –don't complain about it
- Love people and use things (Note. not love things and use people)
It is through our words, and especially our actions, that we will be carriers of Hope. What we say and do infects and affects others' words and actions for better or worse.
People of prayer are persons of Hope. Prayer nourishes and makes grow the seeds of Hope God has planted within us. In our difficult times there is a special need for prayer and finding our strength, our Hope in God.
"May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in Hope" Rom. 15:13
In the course of history and to the present, many have become witnesses to the importance of prayer by giving themselves wholly to the praise of God and the life of prayer/service in monasteries. If you feel called to give prayer first place and to seek a renewal of your spiritual life, visit Holy Name Monastery, St. Leo, FL– become a carrier of Hope. Come for a few days or a lifetime.
See <www.floridabenedictines.com> for varied ways to share Benedictine
life: Retreatant, Volunteer, Oblate, vowed Sister
Contacts at the Office of Vocations
 
Fr. Miguel Gonzalez
Director of the Office of Vocations
(407) 246-4875
E-mail:
mgonzalez@orlandodiocese.org
Sister Kathleen Power, SSJ
Associate Director of Vocations
(407) 246-4928
E-mail: kpower@orlandodiocese.org
PRAYER CARD
Prayer for Vocations -
Please pray this prayer daily.
God, our Father, we turn to you in this time of great need....
Download a copy of the prayer card in pdf format by clicking on it.
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RELIGIOUS LIFE FOR MEN AND WOMEN
Download an information packet regarding Religious Life for Men and Women and upcoming retreats in pdf format. This packet has answers to many of your questions about the consecrated life and offers unique insight into the process of becoming a priest, brother or sister. Click here.
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VOCATIONS VIDEOS
Watch the video by choosing a connection speed below. Quicktime is required.
VocationVidEnglish.mov - 56k Modem
VocationVidEnglish.mov - 256k DSL/Cable
Follow the link below to get the Quicktime plug-in.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Click here to view photos of a previous vocation awareness weekend!
Also visit:
St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary - http://www.svdp.edu
St. John Vianney College Seminary - http://www.sjvcs.edu
National Conference of Diocesan Vocations Directors - http://www.ncdvd.org
National Federation of Priest's Council: www.nfpc.org
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Bishop Wenski Ordains Priest on May 30, 2009
Reprinted with permisson of the Florida Catholic
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| ORLANDO | Bishop Thomas Wenski welcomes Father Vilaire Philius into the brotherhood of priests at his ordination ceremony May 30 at the Cathedral of St. James in Orlando. “My friends, today we give God thanks for having called Vilaire to the priesthood; and we thank Vilaire for freely accepting this call — and all that it entails — with great generosity and love,” said Bishop Wenski in his homily. Photo by Valeta Orlando |
What happens during an Ordination? |
On the Road to Vocations - Father Miguel Gonzalez, the Director of Vocations, and many young men participated in Vocation Awareness Weekend. More than 70 men, nearly half from the Orlando Diocese, gathered at St. John Vianney College Seminary to experience a little bit of seminary life. In a retreat-like atmosphere, the visitors participated in Mass eucharistic adoration and the Stations of the Cross, and took time for sports and fellowship. The young men learned about the academic program of the seminary and talked with the seminarians about their experiences. Click here to see the pictures of the event. Photos are by Carol Ferrazzano. |
Click here to know read about Andrew Riccadonna
Seminarias with Bishop Wenski
Eight
Ways to Encourage Vocations
- Be faith-filled people.
Pray for guidance in decisions, and
seek to deepen your relationship with
God.
- Let Christian values
guide you. Be generous and of service
to others.
- Pray. Let the children
see you pray and pray with them in ordinary
and extraordinary circumstances.
- Share faith. Talk with
children about how faith affects your
life.
- Make and demand sacrifice.
Help children see both by example and
by what you expect of them that a holy
and happy life involves sacrifice.
- Stay in touch. Get to
know priests and religious by interacting
with them as opportunities arise so
that you are comfortable with them and
understand their commitment.
- Educate. Teach children
you know about the option of a call
to religious life or priesthood as well
as the call to marriage or single life.
- Support. If a child or
young adult speaks of a desire to be
a priest, deacon, brother or sister,
be supportive.
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 And
a Whole lot More!
Today's Priests Live
Full Lives, But Their Main Role is to
Lead the Church
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why does the Church
need priests?
A. The Eucharist
is the source and summit of the life of
the Church. Without the Eucharist, there
is no Church. In a sacramental way, Christ
is present to the Church in the person
of the priest. All of the sacraments offer
a personal encounter with Christ, and
the priest is the one who offers the sacraments.
Q. How do I know
if God is calling me to the priesthood?
A. Today,
many people look to the future and ask: "What
do I want to do with my life?" The
proper question is: "God, what
do you want me to do with my life for
you?" To know if you are being
called, you must have a prayerful relationship
with God, since God is the one who calls
us to a specific vocation. Often, when
someone senses that God is calling them
to the priesthood, there is a negative
reaction. This is normal, but do not
think that it means you are not meant
to be priest. Very often, it is a positive
indicator!
Q. What qualities
are looked for in a priest?
A. A desire to serve
others - love for the Church - deep faith
- man of prayer - leadership ability -
one who relates well with people - and
one who is a builder of the community.
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 Q.
What do I do if I think I am being
called to the priesthood?
A. Speak to people
you trust and get their feedback. You
may also wish to speak to your pastor
or any other priest you know. Most of
all, speak with the vocations director
of the diocese, because he can answer
many of your questions.
Q. Do I have to know
for sure that I want to be a priest
to enter the seminary?
A. No There are two
levels of seminary formation, college
and theology. In both cases, seminary
is not only a place of education and formation,
it is also a place for continued prayer
and discernment.
Q. What is the process
for entering the seminary?
A. There is first
an application process for the diocese.
Once the student is accepted by the diocese,
then there is another application process
for the seminary.
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 Q.
Where would I attend the seminary?
A. Currently, the
Diocese of Orlando uses St. John Vianney
College Seminary, Miami and St.
Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary,
Boynton Beach. Once a student has been
accepted as a seminarian by the diocese,
then the student is assigned to the seminary
by the bishop.
Q. What are the academic
requirements to enter the seminary?
A. To enter seminary college,
a student must have completed high school
with a GPA of 2.0 or better. For the final
five years of theology, a student needs
a four-year college degree with a GPA
of 2.0 or better and some basic philosophy
requirements. Generally, the education
process requires nine years after high
school.
Q. If I were ordained
a priest for the Diocese of Orlando,
where would I serve?
A. Most diocesan
priests serve as parish priests, However,
some do serve in other roles, such as
high school chaplain, hospital chaplain,
or in offices at the Catholic Center.
Q. How much does
seminary cost and who is responsible
for the expenses?
A. For college seminarians,
the student and the family are responsible
for the expense. However, there are numerous
financial aid packages available through
the school, and the diocese will do everything
it can do to see that no one is turned
down on the basis of financial need. At
the theology level, the diocese covers
the basic expenses of room, board, tuition,
books, and health insurance premiums.
The theology students also receive a monthly
allowance to help defer other personal
expenses.
Parish Vocations Workshop
Saturday May 9th, 2009
Special Invitation to Youth & Young Adult Ministers
Diocese or Orlando Chancery
9AM – 2:30PM
Mass: 9am
Keynote: Fr Len Plazewski – President National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors & Director of Vocations, St Petersburg Diocese
Focus: The workshop will provide valuable information and assistance in promoting vocations in our parishes along with forming a vocation committee. As the parish advocate for our youth we have an opportunity to play an integral part in our parish vocation committees.
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS SERVICES — NEWS BRIEFS
April 22, 2009
Special Event
Be sure to have your parish represented at the Vocations Workshop on Saturday, May 9th at the Chancery/St. James beginning with Mass at 9:00...Workshop begins at 10:00 sharp!. All Pastors have received an invitation and agenda. Some have yet to respond.
Guest speaker: Fr. Len Plazewski , President, National Conference of Diocesan Vocations Directors & Director of Vocations, St. Petersburg Diocese.
Please respond ASAP so we can plan lunch and space. Thanks!
Statistics Up-date
We now have 25 parishes with operational Vocations Committees and 28 more "in progress"...some parishes have not yet responded to the survey. We have asked the Deans to help us up-grade/verify our information for their Deanery.
Great Ideas
This one is from "up North"... Conduct a vocations essay contest for the 5th, 6th and 7th grade boys and girls on the results of the students’ interview with priests, sisters, brothers, or seminarians. This accomplishes both academic and vocations objectives. The boy and girl winner from each grade (total of six) receive their paid registration to the boys and girls summer Leadership Camps. Several parishes raise the money as a Parish Vocations Project for National Vocations Week in January. The Parish Vocations Committee recruits the priests, sisters, brothers, and seminarians to come to the school to meet with the students. The program is in its 9th year. (This might be a great project for the K of C...???)
(Note: how about sending your GREAT IDEAS to: Motzellw@earthlink.net...so that we don't have to rely on them Yankees for GREAT IDEAS.
Plan to have a special liturgy and to use the Bishop's Vocations Prayer Card as a "bulletin stuffer" for your celebration of World Day of Prayer for Vocations: May 3rd. (see page 5 of the NCCV catalog for a World Day of Prayer Vocations Kit which includes: liturgy planning guide, music suggestions, homily notes, general intercessions, prayer service, prayer card master, bulletin announcements, clip art, poster, family take-home page... or call 1-800-671 NCCV to order...$14.00...English or Spanish)
Kudos
The Orlando Diocesan FOCUS 11 Vocations Program counted 1223 sixth graders and 521 eleventh graders from our Catholic schools among its participants on February 10-12, 2009. The Vocations Fair was held this year at Holy Family Parish/Orlando. Congratulations to all involved!!
Parish Vocations Library
No new items. Please let us know of any materials that you find that would be appropriate and we will pass it on. (send to: Motzellw@earthlink.net)
HELP NEEDED
Vocation Services is a group of volunteers supporting Fr. Gonzalez in the Vocations Office.
We need more volunteers to join us in exploring various vocations related issues and initiatives to determine their potential for our Diocese. Bring a friend and work as a team...no experience necessary, work at home on your schedule. For more information, contact Bob Grudzinski at sbia4U@msn.com or Bill Motzell at Motzellw@earthlink.net (386 676 7766)
Upcoming Vocations - Related Events
1. Workshop on Saturday May 9th (see Special Event above)
2. World Day of Prayer--Sunday, May 3rd.
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