Clergy & Religious

Vocations

Vocations Video | 8 Ways to Encourage Vocations | Today's Priests | Links to other Religious Orders | Religious Communities of Men | Representation of Women Religious in the Diocese | Seminarians

 

 

Contacts at the Office of Vocations

Sister Kathleen Power, SSJ

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.

 

 

 

 

RELIGIOUS LIFE FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Download an information packet regarding Religious Life for Men and Women and upcoming retreats in pdf format. Click here.

Continue below for information regarding the diocesan priesthood.


Vocations Brochure

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.

Get QuickTime 4

 


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


Bishop Wenski Ordains Two Priests on May 31, 2008

Reprinted with permisson of the Florida Catholic

By Jennifer Powers

ORLANDO — St. James Cathedral brimmed with excitement and joy May 31 as family, friends and others gathered to witness the ordination of Deacon Mark Richard Wajda and Deacon Hector Antonio Vazquez Saad to the priesthood.

Father Miguel Gonzalez, director of vocations for the Diocese of Orlando, began the rite of ordination by attesting that both candidates had been properly prepared and found worthy of ordination, causing witnesses to break out into enthusiastic applause.

Bishop Thomas Wenski, in his bilingual homily, quoted Isaiah, Chapter 6, “Like Isaiah who heard the Lord’s voice asking, ‘Whom shall I send; who will go for us?’ you answered, ‘Here am I, send me.’ We thank you for accepting the call. Today, we share in your joy.”

Marking a solemn moment of the Mass, Bishop Wenski laid his hands on the head of each candidate, conferring the sacrament of holy orders. The 40 or more priests who attended joined in the laying on of hands as a symbol of welcome into the common priesthood of Christ.

Deacons Wajda and Vazquez removed their deacon’s stoles and put on their priestly stoles and chasubles before being anointed with chrism oil in the sign of the cross on their hands. The newly ordained received bread and wine from the bishop, symbolizing and inaugurating their ordained ministry. Afterward, the bishop and all the priests shared the kiss of peace with Father Wajda and Father Vazquez and the 2 men join brotherhood of priests.

About a dozen seminarians from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami attended the ordination. “Being present at the ordination gives me encouragement for my journey,” said sophomore Martin Nguyen. “The laying on of hands is something hard to express in words.” “It reminds me of what we are called to,” said Jonathan Stephanz, also a sophomore at St. John Vianney.

“Imitate the Good Shepherd,” Bishop Wenski told Father Wajda and Father Vazquez during the ordination Mass, “Go out and wash the feet of the people entrusted to your care.” In July, they will do just that. Father Wajda will begin his priestly ministry at Annunciation Parish in Longwood. Father Vazquez will be assigned to Holy Redeemer Parish in Kissimmee.

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

  1. Be faith-filled people. Pray for guidance in decisions, and seek to deepen your relationship with God.
  2. Let Christian values guide you. Be generous and of service to others.
  3. Pray. Let the children see you pray and pray with them in ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.
  4. Share faith. Talk with children about how faith affects your life.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.

 

 

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