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Vocations

Vocations program leads young men to further discern call to priesthood

Becoming a priest is something that’s been in the back of Patrick Caulfield’s mind for the past five years or so.
Deacon finds spiritual strength in prison ministry

Ministering to the men incarcerated in the federal prison at Fort Dix has not only impacted the inmates, but also the man who has spent time with them for the past seven years.
Spiritual crisis led Oregon woman on journey to become consecrated virgin

Next May, Miriam Marston will wear a white dress, receive a ring and stand in front of the altar at St. Mary Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.
Siblings born two minutes apart continue strong bond as religious sisters

Benedictine Sisters Jill and Susan Reuber have often shared the same path in life, but their roads...
Family prayer, reading lives of saints inspire vocations, says sister

How many Catholic parents today encourage their young children to consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious life?
Monastery life allows God 'to make us truly free,' says Cistercian nun

Less than 10 miles north of Prairie du Sac, 22 contemplative Catholic nuns of the Cistercian Order live quietly on 112 acres of farmland.
‘Beyond the Habit’ video series focuses on vocations

A pole-vaulter, a dancer among women religious featured in "Beyond the Habit."
Seminarian preaches with paint; artwork 'helps out' his own prayer

For Deacon Elmer Herrera-Guzman, painting is an act of prayer.
Called by Name an invitation to discern the priesthood

For Father Jeffrey Kegley, it was opening his heart to the Holy Spirit that guided him to discern the priesthood.
Women religious: a call to ‘live in caring for one another’

While today’s communities of religious men and women face the same decrease in numbers as many other aspects in Church life, their mission remains just as strong and vibrant as it was generations ago.
Parents supportive of their sons’ priestly calling

When Dora M. Blanchett learned her son, Edward, was considering the priesthood, she asked, “Are you sure?” She and her husband, Donald “Eddie” Blanchett, then encouraged him to pursue his priestly vocation.
Lay Catholics have their own part to play in the mission of the Church

A recent blog post on the vocation of the laity drew a flurry of comments from readers including one who was frustrated by the idea that a Catholic blogger was trying to make a vocation into something more than the reader believed it actually was – a career choice by those who decided to become priests or enter religious life.
An in-depth conversation on lay vocations

The Monitor would like to thank the four parish and ministry leaders who contributed to our IN FOCUS coverage on lay vocations – Dr. Zeni Fox; Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, D. Min.; Msgr. Vincent Gartland, and Father Jeffrey E. Lee.

Some of their insight was included in the magazine’s November issue; the full text of their Question and Answer interviews are posted here.
Bishop talks life, faith, vocations with youth in Middletown parish

Bishop David M. O’Connell visited youth of St. Mary Parish May 11, encouraging open dialogue, enjoying camaraderie over dinner and sharing his thoughts on vocations.

More than 50 teenagers joined parishioners of all ages as the evening began with the Bishop celebrating the vigil Mass for Good Shepherd Sunday at the invitation of Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor, and Father Richard Osborn, parochial vicar and Life Teen chaplain.
Father Parzynski ready to take on new role as vocations director

Recruiting vocations to the priesthood is not a singular effort. It is a diocesan-wide responsibility and is relationship-based. It is with a team approach mindset that Father Jason Parzynski looks forward to his role as the Diocese’s newly named vocations director.
Vocation discernment evening hosted in West Trenton parish

In order to promote vocations to the priesthood, one has to look for opportunities.

So say the priests who work diligently to encourage young men across the Diocese to discern following in the footsteps of the apostles.
Survey shows uptick in number of men, women taking perpetual vows

WASHINGTON – When you head to Mass this Sunday, chances are you will hear the intention "an increase in vocations to the religious life" lifted up before the gifts are presented.

A recent survey suggests those prayers might be getting answered.
Following Jesus is a daily choice, Pope tells religious at Vatican

VATICAN CITY – The choice to follow God in life is not just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but a decision that is made every day, Pope Francis said.

Christians truly encounter Jesus through concrete events in life that occur "every day; not every now and then," the Pope said in his homily for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day for Consecrated Life.
A Message from Bishop O'Connell on Vocation Awareness Week

The Word of God reminds each of us in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: “You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Do not be afraid for I am with you (Isaiah 41: 9-10).”

This is “National Vocation Awareness Week,” a time that the Catholic Church in our country sets aside to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life as a religious sister or brother through prayer and education. We are asked to encourage young people in particular to consider dedicating their lives to follow the Lord Jesus in a special way. But, in order to “consider,” to “dedicate,” to “follow” the Lord, you must first listen for his call.
Vocations Awareness Week seeks to promote discernment through prayer, education

The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, a time dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, Nov. 4-10.
St. Benedict hosts vocations talk show for students

A parish gymnasium in Holmdel recently took on the look of a New York City television studio talk show as eighth-graders were transported to the set of St. Benedict’s own “Catholic Not-So-Late Show.”
Father Joseph Tedesco named Mepkin Abbey superior

Father Joseph A. Tedesco, who formerly served as a priest for the Diocese of Trenton for 28 years, has been named superior of Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery located on the Cooper River outside of Moncks Corner, S.C., effective Nov. 3.
Spirituality of service focus of annual convocation for deacons

Surrounded by brother deacons whose ranks they seek to join, five men from the four counties of the Diocese took a meaningful step on their journey Oct. 27 when they were formally accepted by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as candidates for the diocesan diaconate program.
Rest and Retreat

As part of their seminary formation and preparation for the priesthood, the Diocese’s seminarians gathered for an annual retreat, held the week of July 23 in Loyola Retreat House, Morristown.
Annual picnic fosters camaraderie among Diocese's seminarians

Great food and beautiful weather set the backdrop for a special summer gathering of the Diocese of Trenton’s 17 seminarians the evening of July 19.

Hosted by the Diocese on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, the picnic afforded the men, who are pursuing studies in three different seminaries, an opportunity to socialize and share their seminary experiences as they journey toward their goal of one day serving as priests for the Diocese.

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The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.

If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline.

To report the sexual abuse of minors call our hotline 1-888-296-2965 or email us at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org

Please note: The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities.