Recognizing how critical the first few years of a man’s priesthood are, especially as it is the time that helps to define the priest he will become and the way he will carry out his ministry in the future, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and the diocesan Office of Vocations are reaching out through a new initiative that is designed to be a source of support and encouragement to those men who have been recently ordained.

The initiative will allow them to foster greater camaraderie among one another, given that they all had attended various seminaries prior to ordination and are now assigned as parochial vicars in different parishes across the diocese.  The initiative will also provide the priests with continuing education opportunities in which they can delve more into topics that they will be addressing in their ministries.

“All research has shown that the first assignment and the first few years of priesthood are the most important in establishing an individual priest’s approach to pastoral ministry,” said Bishop O’Connell, in reiterating the importance of the initiative. “To me as bishop, anything I can do to encourage and support the development of a positive and healthy approach toward priestly life and ministry in the early years contributes positively to what the Church and diocese hopes to accomplish in our parishes: building a community of faith.”

Bishop O’Connell kicked off the initiative Sept. 27 with a dinner held in his home for 20 priests who were ordained between 2008 and 2012. The evening was social in nature and conversation centered on why Bishop O’Connell feels it’s important for them to come together on a regular basis.

“Just being together with peers, with brother priests, strengthens their commitment to be faithful, good priests committed to the service of God’s people in our parishes,” said Bishop O’Connell.

Father H. Todd Carter and Father Christopher Picollo, who were ordained priests by Bishop O’Connell in 2011, appreciate the bishop’s initiative.

While Father Carter indicated an interest in pursuing further studies in spiritual direction, youth ministry and ways to get youth more involved in the life of the parish, Father Picollo wishes to learn more about marriage preparation, the annulment process and an overview of all the paperwork involved with preparing couples for marriage.

“The first five years of priesthood are critical because they define the rest of our priesthood,” said Father Carter, who serves as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton. “It’s a good thing that the bishop is gathering us together to build a network of support with our fellow priests and helping us to continue our education.”

“Now that we are out of seminary and in the parish, we related different to the information imparted to us in the seminary,” said Father Carter. “So reviewing some of the material again is a good thing especially since we know what questions we should be asking.”

 “I think this is going to be a beneficial program for the recently ordained priests to have the opportunity to attend seminars that address topics that will help us in our ministry,” Father Picollo, parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, said of Bishop O’Connell’s initiative.