UPDATED: Making Christ a priority was focus of spirituality day for priests
December 14, 2023 at 12:49 p.m.
St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, served as the site for the 2023 Advent Spirituality Day for priests held Dec. 14. Coming together for the annual retreat day were Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., and some 120 priests from throughout the four-county Diocese including those who are active as well as retired.
PHOTO GALLERY: Priests' Spirituality Day
The day’s retreat master was Father Joseph Thomas, priest of Opus Dei and chaplain of Mercer House, Princeton. Father Thomas also serves as a spiritual director to many priests of the Diocese as well as priests from other dioceses and religious communities.
In his talk, “The Priest, Man of Prayer,” Father Thomas focused on how each priest might make fostering a personal relationship with Christ as the priority in his life even in the midst of his many daily commitments.
At the end of the retreat, Bishop O’Connell acknowledged Father Michael Wallack, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish and the volunteers for hosting the day and their hospitality, which included serving a Christmas luncheon. He also extended appreciation to Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians for his “careful planning” of spirituality days for priests that are held each year during Advent and Lent.
Many of the priests remarked that they always look forward to these spiritual days to enrich and deepen their priestly lives and to inspire their ministry as they join together with brother priests whom they do not have many opportunities to visit during the year, Bishop O’Connell said.
“For more than 13 years, these gatherings have always been among my happiest memories,” Bishop O’Connell said. “I love being with my brother priests and they enjoy their fraternity, especially at this time of year.”
Bishop O'Connell listens intently during the presentation by Father Thomas Joseph. Sitting next to the Bishop are Father Christopher Piccolo, left, pastor of Nativity Parish, Fair Haven, and Msgr. John K. Dermond, who is retired. Mike Ehrmann photo
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St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, served as the site for the 2023 Advent Spirituality Day for priests held Dec. 14. Coming together for the annual retreat day were Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., and some 120 priests from throughout the four-county Diocese including those who are active as well as retired.
PHOTO GALLERY: Priests' Spirituality Day
The day’s retreat master was Father Joseph Thomas, priest of Opus Dei and chaplain of Mercer House, Princeton. Father Thomas also serves as a spiritual director to many priests of the Diocese as well as priests from other dioceses and religious communities.
In his talk, “The Priest, Man of Prayer,” Father Thomas focused on how each priest might make fostering a personal relationship with Christ as the priority in his life even in the midst of his many daily commitments.
At the end of the retreat, Bishop O’Connell acknowledged Father Michael Wallack, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish and the volunteers for hosting the day and their hospitality, which included serving a Christmas luncheon. He also extended appreciation to Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians for his “careful planning” of spirituality days for priests that are held each year during Advent and Lent.
Many of the priests remarked that they always look forward to these spiritual days to enrich and deepen their priestly lives and to inspire their ministry as they join together with brother priests whom they do not have many opportunities to visit during the year, Bishop O’Connell said.
“For more than 13 years, these gatherings have always been among my happiest memories,” Bishop O’Connell said. “I love being with my brother priests and they enjoy their fraternity, especially at this time of year.”
Bishop O'Connell listens intently during the presentation by Father Thomas Joseph. Sitting next to the Bishop are Father Christopher Piccolo, left, pastor of Nativity Parish, Fair Haven, and Msgr. John K. Dermond, who is retired. Mike Ehrmann photo