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 Information—An Effective Tool in the Vineyard

In the vineyard of vocation promotion, good information is an effective tool. Not only should those promoting vocations have a breadth of knowledge, it is also crucial to provide good information to the discerner. One incredibly helpful resource to meet this need is a “Discerner’s Packet”.

 

We take for granted easy access to information these days, but the importance of guiding a young discerner to good information is hard to overstate. There is a lot of information about the Church available online, for example – but not all of that information is actually helpful, and much of it is untrue or misleading, especially when it is commentary about vocations from unreliable sources.

 

With a Discerner's Packet, parishes, Catholic schools, youth ministries, and other institutions can effectively provide good, useful knowledge for discerners, making it easy to understand the basics and, just as important, to find more good information.

Your Discerner's Packet can be as simple or elaborate as you like, but should at least contain a minimum of good, basic resources enabling a young man or woman to begin a diligent discernment.

 

Here are some suggestions for resources to include:

A Letter of Encouragement

Start with a letter from the pastor or chaplain, include a personal story of discernment, assurance of prayers and assistance, and contact information.

 

Vocation Prayer(s)

Provide prayers which may help lead the young person to be open to listening and accepting God's call. Here is an example from the USCCB:

Prayer to Know My Vocation

Lord, my God and my loving Father, you have made me to know you, to love you, to serve you, and thereby to find and to fulfill my deepest longings. I know that you are in all things, and that every path can lead me to you.

But of them all, there is one especially by which you want me to come to you. Since I will do what you want of me, I pray you, send your Holy Spirit to me: into my mind, to show me what you want of me; into my heart, to give me the determination to do it, and to do it with all my love, with all my mind, and with all of my strength right to the end. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen

Reading Material

Put together a list of Scriptural passages regarding discernment, and include pamphlets or even a book which can help answer questions.

Scripture Examples:

  • 1 Sam 3:1-10 The Call of Samuel: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”
  • Isa 6:1-13 The Call of Isaiah: “’Whom shall I send?’…‘Here I am…send me!’”
  • Mt 4:18-22 or Mk 1:16-20 Jesus Calls his first disciples: “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.”
  • Acts 15:28 “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us.”

Books and Booklets:

Online Articles (can be printed out):

Contact Information

Include the contact information of the Vocation Director, pastor or chaplain, and religious communities in case a discerner decides to take the next step. The most important pieces of information are phone numbers, email addresses, and websites, as these are the most likely ways young discerners will communicate.

Once you've assembled a your Discerner's Packets, be sure the discerners of the parish have easy access to them! Put a few in the church vestibule, for example, or in youth ministry areas. And be sure that everyone knows about them, so that when a discerner asks, you have a wealth of information readily available!

 

 

 

Priesthood Discernment Process

 

Fr. Anthony Ligato, Vicar for Vocations

Priesthood Formation

The Domestic Church

The discernment process for Priesthood begins with the Domestic Church, in the Rite of Baptism parents are reminded that they are the first teachers of the faith to their children. The home is known as the Domestic Church, it is also known as the first seminary for the role and responsibility parents have in forming their children in the ways of faith. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops outline the importance of the Domestic Church in supporting Vocations to the Priesthood. According to the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: “The family, is so to speak, the domestic church.” ( Lumen Gentium #11) This means that it is in the context of the family that we first learn who God is and to prayerfully seek His will for us. In the following bullet points you will find some suggestions on how to build your “domestic church” through a life of prayer that can help all the members of your family.

  1. Begin praying as a family and reading from Scripture daily, certainly before meals, but also first thing in the morning or before bed. Find a time that works for your family. Use the liturgy of the Church as a model for prayer and try to include heartfelt unstructured prayer as well.
  2. Pray a Family Rosary (each member leads a decade, and everyone shares intentions).
  3. Have a crucifix in a prominent place in the home, and in every bedroom.
  4. Make the Sacraments a regular celebration – take the whole family to Confession and Mass!
  5. Begin family traditions based on the seasons celebrated in the liturgical calendar.
  6. Make your vacation a holy pilgrimage by visiting the shrines and saints of our land and the world.
  7. Make worshiping God a priority. Never miss Mass.

Teach stewardship and charity to your children, through word and example.

  1. Demonstrate love for your spouse, your children, your neighbors, and the world. Remind their children that they are loved by God and have been given gifts to serve others.
  2. Talk freely about the presence of God in the joys and sorrows of your life.
  3. Welcome into your home and support priests, brothers, sisters, deacons, and lay ministers in the Church.
  4. Participate in the lay ministries and activities of your parish community.
  5. Allow your children to witness you in private prayer. Encourage your children to pray daily on their own, to listen for God’s call, and if heard, to respond.

From the practicing and the witnessing of faith in the homes all vocations are supported and encouraged, especially Vocations to the Priesthood. Parents are essential in the discernment process for their support and encouragement can make all the difference if a young man will even consider entering into the discernment process.

 

Once a man prayerfully discerns to enter into the formal process for Priestly discernment, he will enter the discernment process at the St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary in Albany.

 

St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary

Weekly Formations Sessions begin at 6:00pm with evening prayer, Mass, and Dinner. Formations Sessions Follow.  

 

The St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary Discernment and Formation Program is for men who are serious Discerners and Aspirants. Our weekly sessions allow participants to discern with other men in a sacred and spiritual setting. The St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary Discernment Program is a two-year process which includes weekly Formations Sessions that begin with evening prayer, Mass, and Dinner with the Formations Sessions Follow. The men who are participants in the House of Formation and Pre-Seminary program have an opportunity to take philosophy courses at St. Bernard’ School of Theology and Ministry in Albany. These courses enable the participants to earn a master’s degree in Catholic Philosophy which helps prepare them for their theological studies when they go off to Seminary at the end of the two years in the St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary Discernment and Formation process.  

 

During the course of the fall and spring semesters men decide if they want to continue to go forward with their discernment as Aspirants. An Aspirant is one who has decided to enter into the Seminarian Application Process with the Diocese of Albany. Not all men decide on this next step, some continue on in their discernment for those men they are offered a second year which focuses on Pastoral ministry. These men are placed with Priest Supervisors in Parishes to participate in Pastoral Ministry. Those who participate in the second-year program meet as a discerners group once a month with the Vicar for Vocations and other members of the Vocations Team as they complete their formal seminarian application process and prepare to go away to major seminary.     

 

Topics of study and discussion for our fall sessions focus on the Four Pillars of Formation, Human, Intellectual, Spiritual and Pastoral Formation. These four pillars were outlined by Pope St. John Paul the II in the encyclical, “Pastores Dabo Vobis”.

If you are interested in Participating in the fall 2021 St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary Program, please contact.

 

Fr. Anthony Ligato, Vicar for Vocations

Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany

Anthony.Ligato@rcda.org

www.albanyvocations@rcda.org

 

 

The Road Taken

 

Fr. Rick Lesser

Diaconate Vocations for the Diocese of Albany

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

~Robert Frost “The Road Not Taken”

I

f you are reading this, it may be that you are standing at some sort of crossroad, wondering which way to go. One is well trod, well known, a path you have walked over and over again. The other is a bit of a mystery, but somehow you can’t help but feel that it may be the path you are called to. Not knowing what lies ahead has left you hesitant. And while one can only know the fullness of any path by walking it, having a travel guide gives us some comfort about starting. So, let me give you a little bit of a travel guide to the path of discernment for the Permanent Diaconate.

 

First, pray about it. A lot. Often.

 

O Lord, help me to know your will for me. Let your light shine in the depths of my heart that I may know what you want me to do with my life. Help me believe that you have a special plan for me. Lord, I know I pass through this life only once; help me decide how you want me to make a difference. Like our Blessed Mother, give me the wisdom to hear your voice and the courage to answer your call. Above all give me peace of mind and heart. I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Used with permission: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops USCCB)   

 

Next, do a little research on who a deacon is and what they do. We suggest you start with these:

  1. The Emerging Diaconate: Servant Leaders in a Servant Church, William T. Ditewig,
  2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church
  3. National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States, (DMLPD) United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005.

If you are still standing there, curious or excited about what you have heard in prayer and read, contact the Vocations office and request an intake form and set up a meeting to talk. There is no obligation. But this is a necessary first step.

 

I can tell you the road map to follow and accompany you on the way, but what you find is yours alone to find. The journey of discernment (by you, your family, the formators, the diocese, and the Bishop in cooperation with the Holy Spirit) begins with Inquiry. You will be invited to meet with the director, attend several informational gatherings, explore the pre-requisites, attend some classes, and experience prayer time. This phase usually takes several years. Next comes the stage of Aspirancy. In this year-long stage you enter discernment in a deeper fashion with Ignatian Spiritual Directors to help you along the way. That is followed by three years of Candidacy which focuses on human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation. Candidates earn a Masters Degree from St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry as part of that formation.

 

Not everyone travels the path at the same pace. And starting does not obligate one to finish…..in fact, successful discernment may lead one to understand that God is calling you to some other road all together. If you are a man, either married or single, who wonders if God is calling to venture down a road less traveled, come and talk. You are not alone.

 In service of the Gospel,

Fr. Rick Lesser
Director of Permanent Diaconate Formation

Initial.Formation@rcda.org

(518) 453-6690
 

Use modern technology as a tool, not a hinderance

 

 

Sr. Laurie Marie Parisi, C.R.

Religious Life

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, a French-American saint who founded a religious community, once wrote: “Reflect seriously on what you desire to do. Above all, pray much that Our Lord may make known to you what He wishes you to do.” This is excellent advice for anyone who is discerning the consecrated life. Prayer is one of the essential elements for vocation discernment.

 

While the use of modern technology can provide a person with an unlimited number of distractions, vocational discernment has been made easier by modern technology. Women today can easily surf the internet to learn about the consecrated life and the plethora of religious communities both in America and throughout the world. There are even apps women can download to assist them as they discern religious life. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, blogs – there are so many on-line resources for women to help them discern their vocation, and to begin communicating with religious women.

 

All this is good, but it potentially can block out an essential component of vocational discernment, which is prayer. By prayer, I mean time spent away from noise, people, and yes, even cell phones. Sometimes, a woman who is discerning a vocation to the religious life can easily get caught up in discerning her vocation on-line. She gets so caught up with discerning her vocation via social media, that she forgets to spend time in solitude and quiet with the One who waiting for her to log off the internet to be with Him.

 

Prayer is a compulsory part of vocational discernment. God’s voice can only be heard when our whole beings are quiet and are not being inundated with sensory stimuli. It is in the stillness of her heart that a discerning woman can listen to the Voice of God and come to the realization of His plans for her. Setting aside a few minutes each day for being with God in prayer will have a vast impact on a woman’s discernment. It’s a guarantee that time spent in prayer with a heart open to God’s Will is more effective than time spent trying to discern the religious life with Google!

Pray For Our Men in Formation

Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Office of Vicar for Vocations
2020-2021 Seminarians and Aspirants

  1. Deacon Daniel McHale Seminarian: Fourth Theology, Pope St. John XXIII Seminary
  2. Deacon Kyle Gorenski Seminarian: Fourth Theology, St. Mary’s Seminary
  3. Deacon Matthew Duclos Seminarian: Fourth Theology, North American College, Rome
  4. Deacon Nate Resila Seminarian: Fourth Theology, St. Mary of the Lake Seminary
  5. Deacon Stephen Yusko Seminarian: Fourth Theology, North American College, Rome
  6. Deacon James O'Rourke Seminarian: Third Theology, Pope St. John XXIII Seminary
  7. Deacon Russell Bergman Seminarian: Third Theology, Pope St. John XXIII Seminary
  8. Daniel Vallejo Seminarian: Second Theology, St. Mary of the Lake Seminary
  9. Adam Feisthamel Seminarian: First Theology, St. Mary’s Seminary
  10. Anthony Onu Seminarian: First Theology, St. Mary of the Lake Seminary
  11. Joseph Tuan Pham Seminarian: First Theology, St. Mary’s Seminary
  12. Thomas Yakalis Seminarian: Pastoral Year
  13. Thomas Fallati Seminarian: M.Div. Program, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  14. Paul McDonald Seminarian: M.Div. Program, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  15. Alessio Fasullo Seminarian Candidate: Second Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  16. Christopher Hanifin Aspirant: Second Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  17. Dominic Duc Tuyen Nguyen Aspirant: Second Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  18. Joseph Hien Pham Seminarian: Second Pre-Theology, Maria College & St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  19. Louis Namugera Seminarian: Second Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  20. Matthew Palardy Seminarian Candidate: Second Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  21. Peter Phu Lai Seminarian: Second Pre-Theology, Maria College & St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  22. Samuel Zuze Seminarian Candidate: Second Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  23. Roland Carpio Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  24. Thomas Flood Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  25. Emmanuel Peter Hasson Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  26. Franklin Anyanechi  Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, Maria College & St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  27. Arnold Pyram Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, Maria College & St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  28. Gilbert Kimaro Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, Maria College & St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  29. Ben Moses Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  30. Bobby Sandagan Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  31. Alexander Turpin Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  32. Paul Morgan Wahome Aspirant: First Pre-Theology, St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  33. Joseph Tuan Cao Seminarian: Third College, Cathedral College Seminary
  34. Joseph Hoa Hien Pham Seminarian: Second College, Maria College & St. Isaac Jogues Pre-Seminary
  35. Patrick Sweeney  College  Seminarian: Second College, Cathedral College Seminary
Seminarians are those who have been officially accepted for Formation to the Priesthood; Aspirants are those who are in the Discernment process at the St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation; Seminarian Candidates are those in the application process to become a Seminarian.

 

Pastoral Year placements are designated for Seminarians who have already begun their Priestly Formation and who reside at the Parish where they are assigned.

Pastoral Placements are for the men who will be participating in either the First Year or Second Year of the St. Isaac Jogues House of Discernment Program in Watervliet.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Office of Vicar for Vocations
2020-2021 Deacon Candidates and Aspirants

  1. Eduardo Treviño Jr Candidate - St. Edward the Confessor, Clifton Park
  2. Eric Ramirez Aspirant - Corpus Christi, Round Lake

Pastoral Year placements are designated for Candidates each summer during their formation at Albany Medical Center or Catholic Charities and in the acolyte year of their Candidacy at a parish.

Vocation Office News

Congratulations to our Graduates!
Congratulations to Seminarians Thomas Fallati, Paul McDonald and Louis Namugera who graduated from St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry. Thomas, Paul and Louis are the first Seminarians to graduate from our newly created St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary with master's degrees. Thomas Fallati and Paul McDonald will begin Seminary in the fall at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston Massachusetts and Louis Namugera will begin Seminary in the fall at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore.

The Chalice Project


The Chalice Project is an opportunity for retired Priests or families of Priests to donate their Chalices to the Office of the Vicar for Vocations for their reuse by future Priests of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. The Chalice Project has provided Chalices for use by many of our Priests of the Diocese of Albany. The Priests who donated their Chalices have been remembered each time mass is celebrated using their Chalice. This is also a wonderful way of guaranteeing that the Chalices are preserved and used for the express purpose of the celebration of the Eucharist. We keep the Chalices on display at the St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary. Those preparing for ordination have an opportunity to view the Chalices and request one of these Chalices.

If you have a Chalice you would like to donate, please contact Fr. Anthony Ligato at Anthony.Ligato@rcda.org or phone the Office of the Vicar for Vocations:

518-453-6690

News from Parish and School Vocations Committees
Please feel free to reply to this newsletter with vocations news from your parish and school vocation committees.

Help Promote Vocations
Request additional (free) vocation resources!

Did you know that you can request additional copies of our seminarian and religious life posters and cards, as well as the Vocation Lessons brochure and diaconate prayer cards?

Request the new 2020-2021 Vocation Resources
Vocations Speakers

Did you know we have a team of people just waiting to talk to your Parish Community, Faith Formation students, or Catholic School about their vocation? 

To request a Brother, Sister, Religious Order Priest, or Deacon to speak, go to:

http://webapps.rcda.org/vocationstraining/
Vocation Lessons

Calling all Catechists, Youth Ministers, and Catholic School teachers!

https://www.vocationlessons.com/ is provided to you by the Vocations Office for free and gives K–12 Vocation Lessons for Catholic Schools and Parish Religious Education.

Give it a look today!

Teacher Access Code: AlbanyVocations518

Student Access Code: JesusCallsMe

St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary

Regular Formation Session Schedule
  • Evening Prayer - 6:00pm
  • Mass - 6:15pm
  • Dinner - 6:45pm
  • Formation Session - 7:30pm

First Year: All Community night dates are Monday evenings and all designated Seminarians & Aspirants are expected to attend each session. The Evening Prayer leader is also the lector for Mass.

Second & Third Year: All Community night dates are Sunday evenings. We will meet twice each month to study and discuss the church’s teaching on Ecclesiology, Development of Ministry, Theology of Ministry and the importance of Pastoral Ministry and its effect in developing ecclesial communion. Human formation will be an integral part of these sessions. The assigned reading will help to enhance our discussions on your pastoral experiences in your parish’s assignments. All designated Seminarians/Aspirants are expected to attend each session. The evening will follow the same format as the First-Year program, evening prayer, Mass, dinner and Formation session.

Upcoming Events

Events are planned to go on as scheduled but subject to change.
Diocese of Albany - Office of Vocations
albanyvocations.org
518-453-6690
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40 North Main Avenue, Albany, New York, 12203