NewsPaper of the Diocese of

Winter 2012 • Number 147 Elgin,Lo Essex, Huron, Kent, Lambton,nd Middlesex, Norfolk, Oxfordo and Perth nCounties 50 Cents Vocation: priesthood

Discerning God’s Call to the Priesthood devotion to their students and for the me to a deeply personal encounter with of religious life. Our Novice Master incredible sacrifices they were making to God, a conversion of heart. It was an taught us the importance of prayer and This issue of the Diocesan Newspaper build up the school. When I was there, experience that changed my life. To this encouraged us to take an hour every will continue our consideration of the about ten years after its founding, the day, reading the Bible continues to be a day for personal prayer. Developing the topic of vocations, focusing in particular wider community openly acknowledged central part of my spiritual life. habit of personal prayer was another life on the vocation to the priesthood. It gives that it was one of the best schools in the changing experience for me. Certainly, it me an opportunity to reflect on my own city. I graduated from Queen’s and entered was essential in discerning God’s call in journey to the priesthood as a member a Masters Degree at the University of my life, but I had also come to the firm of my religious community, the Basilian As I approached my last year at St. Toronto. It just happened that the parish conviction that daily personal prayer Fathers. Charles, a few of the Basilians took me I lived in was Holy Rosary, one of the two would be an absolutely essential part of aside and asked me if I had ever thought Toronto parishes where Basilians serve. my future life as a Basilian priest. When I look back on those key of a vocation to the priesthood. I was One of the parish priests had taught me experiences that led me to discern God’s completely surprised by what they said, in Sudbury. He put me in touch with I then did three years of formation and call in my life, I think first of all of the because I had never thought of becoming the rector of the seminary. After several theology studies at the Basilian scholastic positive influence of my family. We were a priest. The seed was now planted and conversations with him, I began to think house in Toronto. Mathematics had been a close-knit family. My two sisters and started to grow. The growth, however, seriously about becoming a priest. The easy; studying theology was a challenge. I learned the Catholic faith from our was slow. At the end of high school, I was seed that had been planted in me in high I found this new discipline exciting, parents. Their example taught us that it not ready for the seminary but decided to school was now trying to sprout. however, particularly because many of was supposed to be an integral part of go to Queen’s University in Kingston to our classes were taken with students our lives. Most of what we did outside study my favourite subject, mathematics. U of T accepted me into the doctoral from the other Catholic and Protestant the home happened at our parish and the program, but there was a more colleges that made up the Toronto School Catholic school that we attended. At Queen’s, I enjoyed going to the fundamental decision that I had to make. of Theology. My discernment continued Newman Club, which was popular among I realized that I had to step away from during these years and led me to accept I went to St. Charles College, a high the Catholic students. After my first year the path I was on to see if I was called to school run by the Basilian Fathers, a the call to the diaconate and, a year later, in residence, I moved into an apartment the priesthood. That summer, I decided to the priesthood. religious order of priests dedicated with a friend who was also studying to become an associate of the Basilians. to teaching. That was a tremendous math. He was part of a small, evangelical They appointed me to their high school What is the foundation that enables experience for me. I got to know the Protestant church. We used to discuss in Sault Ste Marie. For a year, I lived in someone to discern God’s call to the priests who were my teachers. Through religion, and on one occasion he took the Basilian community and taught math priesthood? For me, it was prayer, the their encouragement, I began to have me to one of their services. I asked him and religion at the school. I loved the Bible and community. Basilian formation more confidence in myself. Somehow why his church did not like Catholics. His experience and had the sense that this is helped me to grow in each of these they were able to draw forth the best in answer was: “You don’t read the Bible!” where I belonged. With the help of my three areas. Through them, I was able me. Like many people in Sudbury – both I had to admit that I did not even have a spiritual director, it was becoming clearer to recognize God’s presence in the daily Catholic and non-Catholic – I greatly Bible. So he got me one and told me to to me that God was calling me to be a experiences of my life, to realize that admired the Basilians. This small group start reading it. Basilian priest. God had a plan for me and gradually to of priests was well known for their discern his call to be a Basilian priest. At first, I was hesitant to Following my year in the Soo, I entered pick up the Bible and read the Basilian Novitiate in Rochester. it. Gradually, however, I That year deepened my understanding began reading passages of living in community and introduced at random. Reading the me to the vows of chastity, poverty Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, c.s.b. Bible, I believe, opened and obedience, which are the heart Bishop of London The word vocation literally means a “call” but it in the ministerial priesthood of Christ in a special is more than an ordinary call . . . it is a call from way. They represent Christ the Good Shepherd for What is a Vocation? God! Anyone who has felt God’s call knows that God’s people, and Christ as the Head of the Church. By Rev. John Pirt, the process is anything but simple. When they teach with the authority of the Church Director of Vocations then Christ teaches; when they absolve sins in the It is important to understand that the first and sacrament of Penance then Christ forgives; when most important call from God is a call to holiness. You Can Become they offer the Sacrifice of the Mass then Christ offers The universal call to holiness is rooted in our that Sacrifice; when they love, support and care for Baptism. We are invited into a relationship to A Minister to God’s people, then Christ is present with his people. know, love and serve the Lord. It is a movement that draws us toward a deeper union with God. Blessed Pope John Paul II wrote, “Love makes us the Poor We feel a growing desire to love God and to love seek what is good; love makes us better persons. our neighbour. It is out of this call to holiness, that It is love that prompts men and women to marry people feel and experience the call to a specific and form a family, to have children. It is love that vocation. prompts others to embrace the consecrated life or A vocation has both a vertical dimension, reaching become priests.” May all people respond to this love up to God, and a horizontal dimension, reaching and seek to give love as they discern their call from out to others. It is a response to love, and a God. response in love. It is not ‘what do I prefer?’ but rather ‘What does God want me to be?’ Our response to God’s call is rooted in a belief that God invites us to enter a particular way of life because he knows more Chalice than we do about what will make us truly happy. We live out that is a Canadian Catholic invitation ‘to be holy’ differently, sponsorship organization helping the depending on which vocation we poor in Catholic Missions choose. The four specific vocations General Contracting, Roofing and Sheet throughout the developing world. are single life, married life, consecrated (Religious) life, and the Metal, Masonry, Woodworking and Interior ordained ministry, each a different Chalice is seeking priests and deacons way to follow Christ closely. Restoration who are willing to: The person who has chosen a single • Preach in a few parishes in their diocese, province life makes a personal commitment Roof Tile Management is proud to have or country to put their freedom at the service worked with the Diocese of London on a • Share their love for the poor of the world of others in their work and prayer, wide range of projects: following Christ in their daily lives. A married couple follows Chalice offers our speakers: St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, London • A stipend for each weekend preached Christ by giving themselves to each other completely, without any • Travel expenses reimbursed reservations or conditions, open St. Justin, London • Ongoing training, information and support to having children and promising to love each other faithfully for the St. Mary, London If you would like to become a rest of their lives. For someone who St. Patrick, London has chosen the consecrated life as Mission Appeal Speaker for Chalice, a Religious sister or brother, their St. Clement, McGregor please contact Deacon Ron Jenkins, path of following Christ is through their vows of chastity, poverty and Holy Name of Mary, St. Mary’s Appeals Coordinator: [email protected] obedience. or call 1-800-776-6855 St. Joseph, Chatham LD0912a Those chosen to be ordained share St. John the Evangelist, Woodslee Tour & Pilgrimage Opportunities Plan Now Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel for 2013! St. Anne, Tecumseh April 18-28: Holy Land with April 1-8: Mission Trip to Fr. Chris Bourdeau Roatan Honduras escorted by May 7-18: Poland Pilgrimage St. Patrick, Kinkora Jennifer Fassina with Fr. D. Lewandowski May 9-22: Marian Pilgrimage St. John the Baptist, Amherstburg to Fatima/Lourdes Avila/ July 24-28: Pilgrimage to St. Sept 13-23: Shrines of Italy Zaragossa/Barcelona with Andre Bessette & Ste. 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The Newspaper of the Diocese of London, Publisher: Diocese of London ISSN: 0831-9715 Editors: Mark Adkinson, established in 1980, is published quarterly in Publications Mail Agreement #: 41699033 March, June, September and December, Katharine Janzen nearly 40,000 copies distributed throughout Subscriptions 1070 Waterloo Street nine counties in southwestern Ontario: $12/year. Individual copies are 50 cents each. London, ON N6A 3Y2 Elgin, Essex, Huron, Kent, Lambton, 519-433-0658 x227 Middlesex, Norfolk, Oxford and Perth. Advertising [email protected] 2 Please visit www.dol.ca for latest rates. • Stained Glass • Since 1979 Heritage Quality Restoration & Woodwork “We are competent, experienced lawyers who offer personal, • courteous service at reasonable rates.” Memorial Windows • Real Estate • Wills • Powers of Attorney • Estates Protective Storm Glazing Family Law • Collaborative Family Law • Employment Law • Incorporations • Mediation • Small Business London’s Most Experienced Stained Glass Craftsmen Daniel J. McNamara, LL.B. Norman A. Pizzale, LL.B., LL.M. 200 Queens Avenue, Suite 220, London, Ontario • 519-434-2174 97 Wharncliffe Rd. S. London, Ont. 519-432-9624 Vocations Director’s Message www.sunrisestainedglass.com By Rev. John Pirt, were on fire. They returned to developed by my predecessors alive when Director of Vocations Jerusalem and began to proclaim in the Vocations office along we all begin a framework for them to the Risen Christ. with members of the Diocesan to recognize that we have been carry out this discernment in Vocations Committee, and “While they were talking and called through our Baptism. three ways: “Andrew Dinners” We are, in many ways, like them! introduced in June 2011. It discussing together, Jesus himself God expects us to respond are hosted by the Vocations “Every Christian - whatever age, states: “The development of an drew near and walked with with lives of holiness and that Director with Bishop Fabbro, gender, culture or nationality - is effective plan for vocational them. (Luke 24:15)” all the members of the Church and it is there a seminarian or a called to embark on this journey, promotion within the Diocese of promote all the vocations. In priest shares his vocation story. faithful to God who continues London has affirmed the need to In the Gospel of Luke, we see order to facilitate an openness “Come and See Weekends” at to reveal Himself along the way. cultivate a ‘Culture of Vocations’ the encounter between the Risen to priesthood, the Strategic Plan St. Peter’s Seminary enable a It is in walking with the Lord that engages all members and Christ and the two disciples proposes a number of initiatives: man to further understand this along the way that we discover institutions of the local church” on the road to Emmaus. The vocation posters, seminarian call. “Discernment Groups” are His call. When each one of us (Vocations Strategic Plan, disciples were fleeing Jerusalem prayer cards, preaching about available for a young man to join becomes aware of the Lord’s Diocese of London, June 30, and the events that had vocations in parishes, visits to others as he contemplates a call. happened there in the previous call, we are creating the ‘Culture 2011). I owe a debt of gratitude high schools, and celebrating of Vocations.’ (Conversions, to my predecessors and the few days. They had experienced Good Shepherd Sunday in Experience has shown that Discernment, Mission - members of the Diocesan the passion and death of their the Easter Season. Out of this vocations to the priesthood Fostering a Vocation Culture in Vocations Committee. Over leader, Jesus, and all their ‘Culture of Vocations’, it is arise from such a ‘Culture of North America page 60) the past few months, I have hope had vanished. It was then hoped that some men will come Vocations.’ It takes each and been meeting with a number of that the Risen Lord walked forward expressing a desire to every one of us to create this This creating the ‘Culture of groups in the diocese to move along with them and, through discern a call to the priesthood. culture of openness to God’s call. Vocations’ is at the heart of the the Strategic Plan forward. explaining the Scriptures and Let us work together! “the breaking of the bread,” was Vocations Strategic Plan of the When these men come forward, revealed to them. Their hearts Diocese of London. The plan was This ‘Culture of Vocations’ is the Strategic Plan then provides How Does One Enter the Seminary? By Rev. John Pirt, of things have happened. Upon in his prayer life, to attend After some time, this would have appropriate for the candidate Director of Vocations feeling the first stirrings of a call Mass more often, to spend led to applying to the Seminary. to continue in the application to the priesthood, the young man time in prayer before the process, he will be asked “The discernment of a vocation has probably first spoken to his Blessed Sacrament, and to avail This application package for to undergo a psychological is above all the fruit of an pastor, another priest, or to the himself of the sacrament of the Seminary, available from assessment. intimate dialogue between the campus minister at high school Reconciliation regularly if he is the Vocation Director, has a Lord and his disciples. Young or university. This first contact not already doing so. number of important features. This application process attempts people, if they know how to has been a guide who worked It requires of the candidate such to ensure that the candidate has pray, can be trusted to know with the young man to help him The guide will have encouraged things as a personal life history, the natural abilities to enter into what to do with God’s call.”(Pope understand the nature of a call. the young man to contact a record of his sacramental life formation for the priesthood. If Benedict XVI, Response to This is part of the process known the Vocations Director, who (Baptism and Confirmation), everything looks good, then the questions by the bishops of the as ‘discernment.’ continued to encourage the screening in compliance with individual would be accepted United States in Washington, young man to deepen his our diocesan Safe Environment into the Seminary to begin the D.C., April 16, 2008) The young man will be asked to understanding of his call. This Policy, academic transcripts formation program. The next do a number of things to deepen will have included an invitation and reference letters. A formal phase of discernment By the time a young man enters his own understanding of his to visit the seminary and to be admissions interview also takes begins leading to the St. Peter’s Seminary a great deal call: to work on consistency part of a discernment group. place. At that point, if it seems priesthood. 3 Meet our seminarians Glen Ball David Johnston Mark Maloney I first heard the call to the Growing up, I would often see the Upon reflection, I can say that priesthood when I was about nine priest, Fr. P.J. Costello, in the midst God began calling when I was a years old. I wanted very much to of the daily life of the community. I teenager. Though I had left the become an altar server and to help remember Fr. Costello often would Church when I was 12, God’s soft the priest to say Mass in whatever visit the school. He taught Faith still voice kept calling out to me. way I could. Getting to know Fr. in the classroom and prepared Finally, in 2005, after having grown Martin Johnston, I saw that the students to receive the Sacraments. more and more disenchanted with life of a priest is not a bad life. Fr. It was while I was in university that my life, coupled with an ever- Johnston always seemed so full I realized a couple things: First, growing sense that I was meant of joy and love for what he was doing. As I moved to that there was no one to encourage me to go to Mass - it to do something, I responded to God’s call. I began to university and began studying in a science heavy field, was something that I would have to do on my own and talk with a retired Catholic priest about God. Though my faith was challenged by many people who seemed to for myself. Second, that coming from a small town, I had I wanted more God in my life, I was just not ready to have no need for God in what they were doing. I became a desire to become actively involved in and contribute to return to the Church. After walking with this man for good friends with a young lady with a very deep faith my new community. It was in this second point where two years I was finally able to hear God’s voice calling me and came to the realization that my faith, my trust in I found the most difficulty. However, it was here that I to the priesthood. God, need not be buried. As I studied more science I really began to respond to a call which had been present began to see very clearly that God’s place in the universe all along. The only advice I feel I can offer a man feeling or was not written out by science but more necessary considering priesthood is this. I have learned that it is a because of it. Paul Kim terrible feeling to go through life thinking “What if…?” I first recognized the call to Alex De Melo priesthood in high school. It Keith Metcalfe I first received the “call” from God was during the Sacrament of I believe I first heard the call as in Grade 8, but seriously thought Reconciliation that I was able young as four, where I would about it in Grade 12. Following to discern more seriously my play ‘Mass’ in my room after the high school I worked for four years vocation. I was blessed to have real thing on Sunday mornings. thinking about entering into the many holy priests in my life that I had a notable congregational Seminary. The priests I have met guided and nurtured my call. They following made up primarily in my life were a great influence in helped me draw closer to God of my immediate and extended my discernment. Also my parents and aided my prayer and discernment. My advice to a family. My grandpa would often and family are very supportive young man considering priesthood is to call me “Fr. Keith” when I was of my decision, and have been a great influence in my journey with a priest for spiritual direction discernment as well. and to spend silent time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. By doing this we discern The advice I would give to a young man discerning with the Holy Spirit as our guide, and to priesthood would be to JUST DO IT! This experience overcome any distractions or fears that may will be the best one, you will have in your life. prevent us from fulfilling God’s Will. Catholic Missions In Canada Photo by Father Philip Kennedy, president, Photo by Father Philip Kennedy,

4 St. Peter’s Seminary Founded in 1912, St. Peter’s Seminary has been built up and sustained by the prayers and financial support of the faithful. As the seminary begins its second century of service, your help is needed more than ever!

With your help, through the grace of God, the seminary will continue to provide education and formation for those called to be priests, permanent deacons, lay ecclesial ministers and other servant-leaders for the Church. St. Peter’s Seminary Foundation proudly funds the Office of the Vocation Director. Please pray for vocations and consider making a financial gift to the seminary today by contacting the number below.

photo: MIKE ZABEHAYLO Please support St. Peter’s Seminary! To make a donation or request an estate planning work book, please call 1-888-548-9649 or visit www.stpetersseminary.ca/support_us just a young lad. He knew something I didn’t way back Church teaching; Our Blessed Mother; the sacraments; Eric Stock then! Growing up in the Catholic school system, we meditative and contemplative prayer and, of course, our I first heard a call to the enjoyed having priests regularly visit during recess and Lord Jesus Christ. priesthood was I was fairly young, that helped confirm my interest in the priesthood. Fr. around ten or eleven years old. Michael Graham was very influential in those early days Dan Santos It was something I could not and I wanted to grow up and ‘be like Fr. Mike.’ The first time I heard the call was really understand at the time. It right after I received my First was more of an interest in the James Murphy Communion. For some reason priesthood. It was an interest It was in high school that I first I thought what the priest did similar to the childish desire to heard God calling me to serve on the altar was fascinating and become a firefighter or police as a priest. I had the privilege of something I would be interested officer. I did not pay much seeing the example of priesthood in doing, he had a great sense of attention to this call until high school. It was through from some very humble and holy joy and was constantly smiling a retreat called, “Journey to the Father”, that I came to priests. These priests gave their whenever we met him after the really hear my call to the priesthood again. I struggled time and talent to the service of Mass. One day, after attending the Mass, I went into the with it for another year, but God won. I knew in grade the faithful; they never complained living room, decided to take a little bit of bread and a twelve what I had to do. I would have much rather despite many obstacles that came little bit of grape juice, put it on the coffee table, opened entered computer engineering before that; but, I knew I their way. I was encouraged to my prayer book and said the Mass just as the priest did could not have satisfaction in that field before discerning pray the Rosary daily and spend time in front of the that day. I felt it was my first indication to my parents God’s call for me in the seminary. Blessed Sacrament. This was the best advice that could and siblings that I had a calling in life to be a priest. have been given to me, praying the Holy Rosary brought Timothy Theriault me closer to Jesus Christ through His Blessed Mother. Matthew Sawyer I first heard the call explicitly in It was Mary who gave me the courage and strength to I was lucky to have grown up in a my last year of high school after answer the call. very devout Catholic house with many years of involvement with my parents and my younger sister. the youth ministry. By that time, Joseph Palko After graduating high school I however, I already had other I first heard the call at the began the process of applying career plans. But, after a few years beginning of my third year of to the Seminary. I can’t really of trying different things I finally university. At that time, I had a remember when I heard the call, realized that my deepest yearnings general sense that, despite the I guess when I was very young; I would not be met until I followed many worldly pleasures and always had the notion of joining God’s will. The most influential successes in my life, I was not truly the Seminary in the back of my people for me, in terms of my fulfilled. Thus began my search mind. I didn’t make the formal decision to discern until vocation, would definitely be my family (and I mean my for peace. That search would lead I entered grade 12. whole family) and the entire youth ministry team at my me, step by step, to the seminary. parish. Along the way, I encountered and fell in love with many of the central aspects of priestly life: Sacred Scripture;

learn more about our seminarians at www.vocations.dol.ca5 Invest in the Future of Your Church H ave You Considered the Church in Your Will? Please consider the Church when determining who the beneficiaries of your estate will be. As an example, you can name your local parish, the diocese, St. John the Evangelist Pension Fund Society (clergy pension) or the Seminary as a beneficiary.

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Contact Dave Savel, Episcopal Director of Administrative Services & Financial Administrator 519-433-0658 | [email protected] Formation Process By Rev. John Pirt, Director of presented the four areas of Vocations formation that must be assessed and developed as a man goes compassionate, to be men of in this intimate friendship with knowing and adhering to God” Priestly formation at St. Peter’s through his seminary formation. integrity and, especially, to the Trinity. “The spiritual life (PDV n.51). Prior to studying Seminary has undergone Publication: APPLE/Scarboro Missions be balancedDescription: in judgment andGIK Scarborois, Missions: indeed, an“During interior this holy...... ” life, a life theology, a seminarian must some major changes over the The Synod Fathers stated: “The behavior.” (PDV n.43) These of intimacy with God, a life of study philosophy. This study past 20 years. In 1990, 238 whole work of priestly formation Size: Quarter Page BW/ 6.0"w x 5.75"h human qualitiesRun Dates: are the basisDecember, of 2012prayer and contemplation. But may take up to three years but bishops from around the world would be deprived of its all priestly formation! this very meeting with God and leads to a deeper understanding gathered in Synod with Blessed necessary foundation if it lacked with his fatherly love for everyone and interpretation of the person, Pope John Paul II to discuss a suitable human formation.” The second area builds on brings us face to face with the and of the person’s freedom and “The Formation of Priests in Seminarians are expected, over the base of human formation, need to meet our neighbor, to relationships with the world Circumstances of the Present the course of their five to eight the spiritual formation of give ourselves to others, to serve and with God. Building on this Day.” Following the Synod, the years of seminary formation, to the seminarian. “Spiritual in a humble and disinterested philosophical foundation, a pope issued his Post-Synodal grow in those human qualities formation...should be conducted fashion, following the example seminarian then will spend five Apostolic Exhortation entitled that would allow them to present in such a way that the students which Jesus has proposed to years engaged in the study of Pastores Dabo Vobis. This the face of Christ to the world. may learn to live in intimate and everyone as a program of life theology. The “sacred sciences”, exhortation has been embraced These human qualities include unceasing union with God the when he washed the feet of the as they are called, must have in the priestly formation “love of the truth, loyalty, to Father through his Son Jesus apostles: ‘I have given you an two directions: a study of our program found at our Seminary. respect every person, to have Christ, in the Holy Spirit.” (PDV example, that you also should do relationship with God and our In the fifth chapter of Pastores a sense of justice, to be true n.45) It is essential for men as I have done to you’ (Jn. 13:15).” relationship with one another. Dabo Vobis (PDV), John Paul to their word, to be genuinely responding to God’s call to grow (PDV n.49) Pastoral formation, the fourth These two area, building on the three other fundamental areas, areas, deals with how one lives although essential, out the ministry of priesthood: are not enough, “The whole formation imparted for the seminarian to candidates for the priesthood then must undergo aims at preparing them to intellectual enter into communion with formation. the charity of Christ the good DONOHUE “Intellectual shepherd. Hence their formation formation has its in its different aspects must FUNERAL HOME own characteristics, have a fundamentally pastoral but it is also deeply character.” (PDV n.57) Like all Proudly serving the Catholic community since 1930 connected with, other branches of formation, and indeed can be pastoral formation develops by seen as a necessary means of mature reflection and Our knowlegeable funeral directors will assist in all areas expression of, practical application, and it is both human and rooted in a spirit that is the hinge of bereavement, be it burial, cremation, pre-need or at need services. spiritual formation: of all formation and of the force It is a fundamental which stimulates it and makes it demand of the develop. John and Patrick Donohue, Doug Manners, human intelligence The seminarian is expected to Margaret Bloomfield and Lindsay Allan by which one grow in these four areas as he ‘participates in progresses through the years of the light of God’s discernment. The aim is to form 362 Waterloo Street (at King) 519-434-2708 mind’ and seeks to a young man into a priest after www.donohuefuneralhome.ca acquire a wisdom the mind and heart of Christ, London, Ontario [email protected] which in turn bringing to fruition the work of opens to and is the 1990 Synod. 6 directed toward Reflections From a Recently Ordained Priest By Rev. Ben Huyge way, particularly through the Gospel, and when I began sacraments. To serve our Lord in my surrender to The You cannot stop life! While I the sacraments goes beyond any Lord, and continue that have been ordained and serving descriptive word, but again in all surrender everyday again our Lord Jesus Christ and his humility allows me to be rooted words cannot describe the people through the beautiful gift in the eternal peace of Christ. abiding truth I am exactly of our same Lord’s ministerial where God--Father, Son priesthood for only eighteen The prayer that I have been so and Holy Spirit wants months; I continue to be blessed to be able to listen to me to be. I want to make humbled by the prayer, faith, and and communicate from God-- clear though, I am not community of the Church that I Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has special in any way; what encounter every day. allowed me to find better words has been so graciously for something that we of faith been given to me is given To be able to serve in this know, that life and love which to everyone who serves vocation I have been so blessed are eternal cannot be stopped. their vocation, be that to receive allows me to be so Our society today is being vocation married life, connected to the peace of our deceived and fooling itself in so religious life, single life, or Lord Jesus Christ. It allows me to many ways that we somehow the priesthood. The issue be anchored in that abiding trust have the power to control life. of today is that we need that no matter the challenges Abortion, euthanasia, and even to answer the call that or difficulties that we as human the economic injustices that all we are being given from beings may endure on a daily of us are facing in that there is God Himself. In a world eternity. The world again must work of God. Our Lord Jesus has basis, in the end it is hope low employment and even those that cries out for miracles, we are know it cannot stop or even try told us he is “the Way, the Truth and joy that will overcome all, who have jobs are finding it able to see them everyday for the to close in this vineyard but is and the Life,” when we are with because our Lord Jesus Christ harder to make ends meet; they miracle of life itself gives to us invited to be part of it, but how him we are with life when we are who is author of that hope and are systemic of Original Sin still our vocation, and I pray for men will they know if our Lord, even united to him we are united to joy has overcome all. It is to working away at a society that who are hearing to the call to though he is calling so many are eternity. The bravest and most know then that the Creating needs to hear the Good News, the priesthood that they answer not answering him; so he can courageous thing we can ever Word made flesh, our Lord Jesus who needs to hear the Gospel. because our Lord needs workers work through them to make the do is to surrender to him, may Christ, continues to work with in his vineyard of life, a vineyard message known. You cannot stop we all surrender to him in our his creation in such a connected We need then proclaimers of the that goes on and grows out for all life because you cannot stop the vocation.

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Regardless of age, pre-planning your cemetery arrangements together simply makes sense - financially and emotionally.

Contact your area Catholic Cemetery today. Find out how easy pre-planning can be with available interest-free payments*

Resurrection ST. PETER’S CEMETERY cemetery and crematorium and and HOLY FAMILY Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery CHAPEL MAUSOLEUM

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