By Father Sean M. Suckiel
THE PARISHES THAT make up the Diocese of Brooklyn are at the forefront of praying for vocations. Praying for vocations cannot be a one-day event, but a constant commitment for the entire parish community. Therefore, as a new pastoral year begins, let us address what we can do in our parishes so that everyone becomes actively involved in creating a greater awareness for vocations.
During the month of September, all parish families are being encouraged to become more involved in promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We ask all parishioners to pray by name for someone that you think might have a vocation to be a priest, religious brother or sister. Keep that person in your prayers during the Year of Vocations.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will preside at vespers and lead the church of Brooklyn in praying for vocations at St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn, starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend and join in prayer.
Over the following weekends, parishioners will be invited to participate in the Called by Name Campaign, which has proven to be effective in many other dioceses to increase the number of active discerners. We pray that the Called by Name program will help more men respond to the invitation to discern their vocations. It is impossible to quantify the effectiveness of any particular vocation initiative, but experience shows that an increase in the number of sincere discernment candidates results in an increase of men ordained to the priesthood. If you know of anyone who may be interested in receiving discernment material, email me their contact information at vocations@diobrook.org.
I would like to take the opportunity at the beginning of this year to list and highlight all the different vocation programs that the Diocese of Brooklyn is offering for those who are open to the idea of the priesthood:
Fraternitas is a group for middle school students that is dedicated to instilling Christian values in young men with the goal of fostering true Catholic gentlemen. Monthly encounters allow this mission to be accomplished through prayer, catechesis, sports and sacraments. Gatherings take place at Cathedral Prep and Seminary H.S. in Elmhurst.
The Jeremiah Project is a discernment group for high school boys. It is an overnight experience designed for young men who have demonstrated exemplary Christian values and who are willing to learn more about the possible vocations God may be calling them to: married life, single life, diaconate or priesthood. Overnights are held at Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston.
Project Andrew will be offered in every deanery throughout the diocese during this special year. Project Andrew sessions are opportunities for young men to learn more about the priesthood by joining a bishop, priests and seminarians from the Brooklyn Diocese for an afternoon of prayer, dinner and conversation.
Evenings of Fraternity are being offered by the Vocation Office for men who may be considering a vocation to the priesthood. The evening are held on Mondays, and consist of a 5 p.m. Holy Hour at the Carmelite Monastery, followed by a meal and reflection on priesthood at the St. John Paul II House of Discernment, located at 341 Highland Blvd. in Brooklyn.
Two Holy Hours will be held in Brooklyn and Queens to offer a communal gathering for youth and young adults. Through praise, worship, adoration and fellowship, young people will have the opportunity to deepen and grow their relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist and discover God’s calling for their lives.
Finally, check out the newly updated vocation website, brooklynpriests.org and subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter for more updates and information about the various vocation programs that are being offered in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
What are you willing to do to promote vocations? Let’s be proactive and take that next step by doing our part in building up a culture of vocations.
Father Suckiel is the diocesan vocations director for the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens.