By Lois Rogers

Correspondent

All the first Diocesan Holy Hour for Vocations had going against it was the second game of the World Series, a Presidential primary debate on CNBC and weather forecasters warning everyone that a storm of biblical proportions would soon be swamping Ocean County.

Still, roughly 30 devoted souls brushed aside those circumstances on Oct. 28 and drove to the Church of St. Dominic on Route 88 in Brick. There they gathered, a group comprised of parishioners from area parishes including Church of the Epiphany and Church of the Visitation, focusing their energies not on baseball, politics or nor’easters, but on serious prayer for priestly and religious vocations.

Father John J. Testa, regional vocation director for Ocean County, presided at the Holy Hour and was upbeat about the attendance and indeed, their devotion to the cause.

“With the weather conditions and everything else, it was wonderful to see people come out to pray for vocations and know that they will continue to pray for vocations,” said Father Testa, who went on to thank Msgr. James J. Brady, pastor of St. Dominic Parish, and Father Matthew Pfleger, parochial vicar, for hosting the first of four such Holy Hours.

Holy Hours will also be held in Monmouth, Mercer and Burlington Counties sponsored by their respective regional directors: Father James Grogan, Burlington County; Father Todd Carter, Mercer County, and Father Garry Koch, Monmouth County.

Father Testa noted that the Holy Hours for Vocations in each county were requested by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as one component of the Diocese’s effort to support vocations. Other steps include discernment sessions in parishes on a county level, and a special event sponsored by the regional director of each county.

Father Testa, ordained five years ago by Bishop O’Connell, said he stepped up to sponsor the first Holy Hour because he appreciated the way he was supported – especially by his late mother, Josephine – in his discernment for the priesthood, which lasted 18 years.

Such support was very meaningful, he said. “There were so many people who helped me: My mother, a couple of close friends who encouraged me and told me that I would make a good priest, other people who offered their advice and encouragement.”

“Now, in my fifth year of priesthood, I have never had a dull moment and I have to say, the people of God are wonderful,” said Father Testa, parochial vicar of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Toms River. In his homily at the Holy Hour, he spoke movingly of the recent visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia and his widely quoted remarks about Pope Leo XIII’s encouragement of St. Katharine Drexel to embrace religious life.

After the wealthy young woman, who summered in Long Branch, spoke to Pope Leo about the needs of the missions, he asked her pointedly, “What about you? What are you going to do?”

Father Testa shared Pope Francis’ anecdote with the gathering in St. Dominic, which has sponsored a monthly Holy Hour for Vocations for four years.

He encouraged those present to continue to be active in promoting vocations. “You are called to be part of someone’s vocation,” he said. “We gather here to pray for ways to help with the discernment of the call, helping those who are seeking to establish a relationship with God.”

Father Testa asked them to be mindful of the fact that without priestly vocations, there can be no Eucharist. “Think about that when you are thinking about getting involved (with fostering) vocations. Get involved with the parish.”

“Keep your eyes and ears open,” he said, encouraging a lookout for “someone who might be open to being called…Invite them to get involved.”