Vocations Supplement Nov 2, 2017

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Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, N.J.

NOVEMBER 2, 2017 Special Supplement

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Newspaper of the Diocese of Trenton

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Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, N.J.

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ith the arrival of National Vocation Awareness Week (Nov. 5-11), The Monitor brings you stories of the many different ways that vocations are both cultivated and affirmed in the Diocese of Trenton. From a seminary chapel to a Catholic school classroom, and even remote locations in the nation, the lived example of accepting God’s call to religious life is inspiring and challenging all who witness it.

Seminarians from the Diocese of Trenton and other dioceses pray during an early October Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa. See story, page V8.

Joe Moore photo

Mike Ehrmann photo

VOCATIONS Students of St. Veronica School, Howell, take part in the portrayal of the vocation story of Blessed Celine Borzecka, who founded the Sisters of the Resurrection.

See story, page V5

Father John M. Patilla speaks to teacher Bob O’Connor’s students in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, during a diocesan-led Vocations Day Oct. 16. See story, page V3.

ALSO INSIDE …

Father Michael Wallack shares vocations-friendly suggestions for the Catholic community …

Father Dave Swantek’s ‘Home Away from Home’ …

Growing vocations in the DoT…

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THE MONITOR • NOVEMBER 2, 2017

A MESSAGE from

FATHER MICHAEL WALLACK

DIRECTOR of VOCATIONS

At God’s Invite

When it comes to priesthood, parishioners, family have role to play, too Good people of the Diocese of Trenton,

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s director of Vocations for our Diocese, I would like to invite you to pray that more young people might hear and answer the Lord’s call to priesthood and religious life in our Diocese.

This week (Nov. 5-11), the Church in our country is celebrating “Vocation Awareness Week,” and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you not only to pray for vocations but also to join in the work of encouraging vocations to priesthood and religious life.

Since it is my role in the Diocese to help young men discern a call to diocesan priesthood, permit me to share some thoughts about that vocation in particular.

The Role of Community Vocations are encouraged in the family and in the parishes all throughout our Diocese and the world, not just by your parish priests. You would be amazed what a pivotal role parents and siblings and parishioners can play in the lives of young men who are encouraged toward the priesthood. As parents and siblings, you can set the stage for a priestly vocation just by praying together and encouraging them by keeping them close to the sacraments. This allows their hearts to be open to the call and helps them listen to God’s voice.

Pope Benedict XVI once spoke about discernment to the priesthood by saying, “God’s voice inviting us to love him is heard in the “I was once people and events around us, but especially in prayer.” told that In response to a question by a seminarian about how God doesn’t one can discern God’s call, the Pope gave the following call the answer: “God speaks with us in many different ways. He qualified speaks by means of others, through friends, parents, pasbut that he tors, priests …”

As parishioners, it can be qualifies the helpful to encourage young men who seem to be very called.” attentive to the liturgy. This can be observed in the pew by special attention during Mass or by serving with reverence at the altar. There are young men out there that you could invite to consider a vocation. Also, praying for them to hear and answer the call is important as well.

So, if a young man comes to you and shares that he is discerning a vocation, it is important for him to work with God and to receive a positive response from you.

It can be very difficult to hear and answer the call in today’s society since, at times, many have turned away from God altogether. However, the Holy Spirit is very much at work in the world, and so we are called to assist in this ministry by being willing to help these young men see the priesthood as a viable and fulfilling way of life, even though it may be viewed as counter-cultural.

BROTHERS IN CHRIST • A good way for men to learn about the priesthood is through the examples of other priests, especially those with many years of experience. Such an example is shown in this June 2017 photo where Msgr.

James Brady, pastor of St. Dominic Parish, Brick, vests newly ordained Father Michael Gentile with priestly garments of an alb and stole during the ordination rite. Jeff Bruno photo Personally, I look at it as having the chance to view all of the evil and violence in the world and then say yes to God by spending your life trying to do something about it. It is in witnessing to the Gospel that we can effect change in the world, and God may be calling you to assist in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Being Open to the Call For the young men who may be considering a call to the priesthood, I would recommend three important practices. First, I would encourage you to stay close to the Lord through the Sacraments, especially Mass and Confession. Second, it is important to spend time in prayer, both privately and before the Blessed Sacrament and reading Sacred Scripture. Third, I would strongly recommend seeking out your parish priest or another priest you admire because they can be very helpful in guiding you along the way and answering questions. It is mainly about being open to the call of God. You may ask yourself, “Why me?” I answer that by asking, “Why not you?” I was once told that God doesn’t call the qualified but that he quali-

PRIDE AND JOY • Having

the support of their families is critical for young men who are pursuing a vocation to the priesthood. In this June 2016 photo, Father Augusto Lorenzo Gamalo is shown with his parents, Fara and Castor Gamalo, following the first Mass he celebrated as a newly ordained priest in St. Aloysius Church, Jackson.

Mike Ehrmann photo

fies the called. Sometimes we can be concerned that we might not have the talents necessary to become a priest, but I firmly believe that God does give us the grace to complete the tasks he asks us to do. Some of you men will encounter a tug at your heart from our Lord, which will gently grow from a whisper to a strong call. Then we just need to ask for the grace to answer this call.

Bishop O’Connell expressed this well recently during Vocations Day at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft when he said, “I am called to walk in the footsteps of the Apostles in the Church today, and I need young men to assist me in this by following the Lord and sharing in the priesthood in the Diocese of Trenton.”

This is a beautiful invitation not only by our Bishop but also Jesus Christ himself, who, when calling the first apostles said, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mt. 4:19) Each one of us has a specific vocation, and we need to discover it through prayer and discernment.

Pope Benedict once said, “The Lord has his plan for each of us; he calls each one of us by name. Our task is to be listeners, capable of perceiving his call, to be courageous and faithful, so that we may follow him, and in the end, be found as trustworthy servants who have used well the gifts entrusted to us.”

There is such a great peace when you experience for the first time the feeling of knowing you are exactly who the Lord is calling you to be in the place where he is calling you, doing what he wants you to be doing. It is in this consolation that makes any of the sacrifices we offer in our journey living the priesthood today such a meaningful and joyful way of life. Can you imagine yourself living a life devoted to God and witnessing to the world the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

In closing, reflect upon the words of Pope Francis, “God surpasses all our expectations and constantly surprises us by his generosity. He makes our efforts bear fruit beyond all human calculation.”

Father Michael Wallack is the diocesan director of Vocations and priest secretary to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

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NOVEMBER 2, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com

Heeding the Call Bishop, priests of the Diocese share vocation journeys with CBA students

By Carly York, Correspondent

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ere I am Lord! Is it I, Lord?” more than 900 students of Christian Brothers Academy, sang as they welcomed Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., with a gathering hymn before the start of Mass dedicated to vocations.

“Of all the titles that I hold as Bishop, ‘Successor of the Apostles’ is one of the most important,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily, discussing the unbroken line of apostleship that has been passed down to all Bishops since the establishment of the Church.

“Through Christ, we have received the grace of being an apostle,” he said.

“We are inviting you to consider the grace that St. Paul discusses in Romans to become a priest. I believe that some of you here may have a special calling.”

In addition to celebrating Mass Oct. 16 in the Lincroft school, Bishop O’Connell was joined earlier in the day by priests of the Diocese in talking with students about vocations and the priesthood. Among them were Father Michael Wallack, diocesan director of vocations; Father Brian Woodrow, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown; Father Garry Koch, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, and an assistant vocations director; and Father Roberto Padilla, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart and Christ the Redeemer Parishes, both Mount Holly.

“Students who are looking for a sign from God need to look no further than those who have gone before you here at CBA,” Bishop O’Connell said.

“Do me a favor, guys. Think about it.

Maybe Christ is calling you.”

Firsthand Experiences In speaking to a class of 16 sophomores about discerning the call to the priesthood, Father Wallack said the

VOCATIONS AMBASSADOR • Bishop O’Connell shakes hands with a CBA student.

Discussing vocations to the priesthood in his homily, the Bishop said, “Students who are looking for a sign from God need to look no further than those who have gone before you here at CBA.”

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT • Students listen intently to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., discuss the priesthood during his homily in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft. The Bishop and priests of the Diocese visited the school to discuss vocations. Joe Moore photos to the priesthood. With a big smile, Father Woodrow told the story of a completion in which he took a great victory over his opponent. However, he later found himself in the hotel elevator with the man he had just defeated in the ring. During that awkward elevator ride, he thought, “‘What am I doing?

Why am I doing this?’ I realized MANY GREETINGS • Bishop O’Connell greets that I was fighting the wrong Christian Brother Anthony Baird as Christian Brother battle.”

James Kelly lays his hand on Brother Anthony’s shoulIn that moment, he said, der during the Vocations Day visit. he began to truly hear the call and changed his goals. “My goal now is to get to heaven and to bring as many process can be long. “It starts as just a people with me as possible.” small idea, or a little voice in your head.

“If God calls you to the priesthood, Then it becomes so strong you can’t don’t be afraid,” he added. “I am happier deny it.” today than I ever imagined I would have He also discussed some of his daily been when I first started out in the work, pointing out the important role seminary.” a priest fills in people’s lives. “Imagine waking up in the morning and hearing about all the bad that is going on in the world today, and knowing that, as a priest, you can do something about it to make the world a little better.”

He ended his talk by encouraging the young men to consider the priesthood. “No matter how much you sacrifice, God always gives you back 100 fold.”

Father Woodrow captivated a different class of sophomores with the story of his own calling to the priesthood. He told the students that in high school and early adulthood, he had been a competitive mixed-martial arts fighter.

In many ways, he said, his competition and training as an athlete prepared him for the priesthood. Instead of staying out late with his friends when he was younger, he would leave parties early because he needed to be up early to train for competition.

“Fast first, and then feast when you win,” he explained about the discipline needed for both athletics and the priesthood.

Student Eros Bottino asked Father Woodrow if his experience in mixedmartial arts had influenced his call

Examples of Faith

School principal Ross Fales and president Brother Frank Byrne expressed gratefulness for the Bishop’s visit. Each year, priests from the Dio-

To see more photos on this story, see TrentonMonitor.com> Multimedia>Photo Galleries cese and religious brothers from the order visit the school to discuss vocations, and having the Bishop celebrate Mass, they said, helps stress how important vocations are to the school.

Reflecting on the day, CBA senior Christian Bordak-Roseman said he was encouraged by Father Koch’s small group discussion. “I really liked when Father Garry said that the call to the priesthood is a fluid process, and that it can come at any age,” said BordakRoseman, an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and head altar server at his parish, St. Ambrose, Old Bridge.

He said he enjoyed the day’s focus on vocations, because “it is important to inspire faith in young men like me.”

Sophomore Aidan Moran of Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, said it was a proud day for CBA to have the Bishop visit. “It is great that we have a day to focus on the religious success of the school.”

National Vocation Awareness Week set for Nov. 5 - 11 The U.S. Catholic Church will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 5-11.

This weeklong celebration, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations, is a special time for parishes to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew prayers and support for those who are considering one of these vocations.

In his message for the 54th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis reflected, “Those who drawn by God’s voice and determined to follow Jesus soon discover within themselves an irrepressible desire to bring the Good News to their brothers and sisters through proclamation and the service of charity. All Christians are called to be missionaries of the Gospel! As disciples, we do not receive

the gift of God’s love for our personal consolation, nor are we called to promote ourselves, or a business concern. We are simply men and women touched and transformed by the joy of God’s love, who cannot keep this experience just to ourselves.”

National Vocation Awareness Week is also designed to help promote vocation awareness and to encourage young people to ask the question, “To what vocation in life is God calling me?” Parish and school communities across the nation are encouraged to include, during the first full week in November, prayer and special activities that focus on vocation awareness.

More information and resources for National Vocation Awareness Week, including a prayer card, suggested prayers of the faithful and shareable quotes, are available at www. usccb.org.

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THE MONITOR • NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Home Away from Home Point Pleasant pastor makes positive impact in Alaska Story by David Kilby, Correspondent

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hen Father Dave Swantek, pastor of St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, heard about the “frontier priests” of Alaska as a child, he could only dream that he would one day have the same mission. Now, every August, he flies to “The Last Frontier” to bring the Gospel and Sacraments to Catholics in the small tourist town of Skagway.

This year, however, he had the opportunity to make two trips. In September, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., asked Father Swantek to represent him when his Vincentian confrere, Father Andrew E. Bellisario, C.M., was consecrated the new bishop of Juneau Oct. 10. Father Swantek joyfully accepted and traveled to Alaska for a week.

There were about 30 priests, many of them Vincentians, as well as several bishops at the consecration, representing Alaska’s three dioceses and those beyond, he said.

“It was beautiful,” Father Swantek recalled. “The bishop spoke very well of his parents and how his mother showed him how to live out his Christianity. The music was beautiful and faith-filled. The people were hopeful. I think he’s going to do great things.”

‘A Wild, Untouched Land’ Father Swantek has spent the past nine Augusts in Skagway, providing much-needed relief for the priest of the local parish.

“It’s wild, untouched land,” Father Swantek said. “In New Jersey, we have pockets of preserved land surrounded by development. Alaska has pockets of development surrounded by wilderness.

It feels like you’re an early American frontier priest when you’re out there.”

“They have like 17 Catholics,” he added. “If they’re not at morning Mass, I literally walk to their house and say, ‘Come on, let’s go to church.’”

Yet, when tourists arrive on cruise ships, Skagway’s population increases from around 700 to 10,000 or sometimes 15,000. The tourist season is often a challenge for the Diocese of Juneau, which covers an area the size of Florida and has only eight priests, Father Swantek explained.

Despite the challenge, Father Swantek considers it a blessing to share the Gospel in this unique environment, making it relevant to the fishermen, hunters, lumberjacks, shopkeepers and cruise ship visitors, sharing the Catholic faith in a way that makes sense in the beautiful wilderness around them.

“What is the relevance of Christ

Photos courtesy of Father Dave Swantek

CROSS COUNTRY SHEPHERD • For Father Swantek, part of his priesthood for the past eight years has included ministering every August to the faithful of St. Therese Parish, Skagway, Alaska. to them out there? Entering into their reality, what would Christ say? That’s the cool part of being a priest

up there,” he said.

Since the community of locals is so small, he often eats dinner with parishioners in their homes. “It’s a lot slower up there, but you’re asked to go a lot deeper with those you encounter,” Father Swantek said.

He added that one of the great lessons he has learned from his ministry in Alaska is the importance of “spending time with Jesus in the quiet.” Some of his best meditation experiences have been on walks in the Alaskan wilderness, he said.

“It’s kind of a retreat time for me, too,” he said. “I’m better and stronger in my priesthood because I do this. I’ve learned how important it is for me, because what comes out of my time in Alaska is better for the people I serve.”

“The priesthood can take you anywhere.

God will move you to places you never thought possible.” he wanted to be an astronaut, a “Star Wars” Jedi Knight or something similarly adventurous. His family supported the missions and his mother would read him stories about priests in Alaska from the diocesan newsletter, “The Alaskan Shepherd,”, which he found fascinating.

“Those were priests in the frontier,” he recalled from the stories. “They were flying planes, riding dog sleds. These were cool adventure priests who gave up everything to follow Christ in the North. So I thought maybe I’d like to be a priest in Alaska.”

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Childhood Dreams Fulfilled As a child, Father Swantek said,

VINCENTIAN TIES • Father

Swantek was privileged to represent Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and the Diocese of Trenton, at the episcopal consecration of Bishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., Oct. 10. Bishop Bellisario was also installed as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Juneau that day.

Father Swantek, who was among the concelebrating priests, is pictured at far right.

DAY OF JOY • Father Swantek, pastor of St. Martha Parish in Point Pleasant who spends his summer vacation each year ministering in Alaska, congratulates Bishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., on the occasion of his Oct. 10 episcopal consecration and installation as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Juneau.

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NOVEMBER 2, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com

CALLED TO VOCATION •

St. Veronica School fifth-grader Lily Loftus, portraying Mother Celine Borzecka in the early stages of forming the Sisters of the Resurrection, speaks with fellow fifthgrader Anthony Froio in the role of Father Peter Semenenko, who became Mother Celine’s spiritual adviser, during a celebration and biographical play honoring the co-foundress Oct. 26 in St. Veronica Church, Howell. Mike Ehrmann photos

COMMITTED TO SERVICE • From left, Resurrection Sisters Cherree Ann Power, Antoinette Nowosielski and Ann Elizabeth Norton take a photo after the evening of celebration, which included the sisters renewing their vows.

Resurrection Sisters celebrate foundress, renew vows

By Lois Rogers, Correspondent

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or most people, photographs of Blessed Celine Borzecka, who founded the Sisters of the Resurrection, may not be as familiar as those of some holy women who have earned that heavenly title. But in Howell, where Blessed Celine’s contemporary religious daughters arrived in 1965 to open St. Veronica School, that is not the case.

There, where women like Resurrection Sister Cherree Power, principal, still serve the school, images of the beloved foundress shine in every classroom and greet all visitors at the door.

All are acquainted not only with Blessed Celine’s face, but also with the story of how this daughter, wife, mother and grandmother was called along with her daughter, Hedwig, to co-found the Sisters of the Resurrection.

“Their desire was to give glory to God ...”

On Oct. 26, the night before the 110th anniversary of the arrival in New Jersey of the community properly known as the Sisters of the Resurrection of the Lord and the 10th anniversary of Blessed Celine’s beatification in Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran, the St. Veronica School family made the most of an opportunity to share her gifts with a memorable, threefold celebration.

Guests, including staff, members of the PTA and folks from the community at-large, watched a biographical play of Blessed Celine’s life performed by students, participated in a liturgy during which the sisters renewed their vows and members of their lay association of women renewed their promises, and gathered for a social in the parish hall, hosted by the PTA.

During his homily, Father Vincent T. Euk, pastor in St. Veronica Parish, spoke of his own recognition of Blessed Celine’s gifts as a role model for all people as a wife, mother, single parent and religious who cared devotedly for her husband throughout his illness and had to bury two children before beginning her life as a religious.

In a piece written by Sister Cherree, she shared how the sisters, invited to the Trenton Diocese in 1965, accepted with joy. “Their desire was to give glory to God who is love and who first loved

Blessed Celine Borzecka’s photograph was everpresent during the evening that honored the co-foundress of the Sisters of the Resurrection.

us, and commissioned us to proclaim to the children and those to whom and with whom they ministered the truth of God’s love for every person.”

That call was answered by Sister Cherree, who entered the order from St. Veronica Parish in 1967 and continues to share the witness of Blessed Celine, spreading the word of her “admirable example, deserving the attention of the faithful,” since in every state of life she

For more photos, visit TrentonMonitor.com>Multimedia>Photo Galleries

LIVING HISTORY • Fourth-grader Andrew Ossowski portrays the pope who blessed the Sisters of the Resurrection on Jan. 6, 1891, the day on which both the congregation was founded and Mother Celine Borzecka and her daughter professed their final vows. Students from the Howell school dressed as the sisters.

always strove for perfection.

Created at first to serve the needs of young girls and women in 19th century Europe, then moving toward modernity, the Sisters of the Resurrection community was destined to lead women to be contemplatives in action for the transformation of society around the world.

During the celebration, Father Euk spoke to the children, who delighted those in attendance as they acted out the many challenges faced by Blessed Celine on her journey “to the Cross and death, to Resurrection and glory,” a refrain she would proclaim throughout her earthly pilgrimage.

Surveying the gathering of children, including many girls costumed to look like the sisters, Father Euk said it would be wonderful if some would follow the example of Blessed Celine and consider a vocation. “If you did,” he said, “we could open another school!”

Fifth-graders Andrew Ossowski, who portrayed Pope Benedict XVI, and Elena LaMastra, who appeared as Blessed Celine’s daughter, Hedwig, shared that while it was a lot of fun to prepare for the play, it was also a good learning experience about Blessed Celine’s life.

Fourth graders Hazel Garroute, who played Blessed Celine in one phase of her life, and Kevin Madeira, who played her husband, said they appreciated their roles, though Kevin added that he was “very nervous because I’m not used to being in a crowd.”

Sister Cherree spoke of her own joy in taking part in the Beatification in Rome in 2007.

“There were three of us who went to Rome – there were sisters from all over the world,” said Sister Cherree, who recalled being moved to serve as a Reader during the Mass in St. John Lateran.

Back home in St. Veronica School, the Beatification remains what it has been from the beginning, a source of pride, an expression of faith, and an allaround “very big deal.”

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THE MONITOR • NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Growing vocations in the Diocese of Trenton

By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor

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ational Vocation Awareness Week is vital.”

That was the pointed sentiment expressed by diocesan seminarian William Clingerman about the week the Catholic Church in the U.S. designates each year to promote vocations to the priesthood, religious life and diaconate.

“The Church needs solid priests, deacon and religious to serve the Lord, to win souls for him and to help guide his people against the prevailing culture mood,” he said. “Thus, we are praying throughout this week that the Lord may send more workers into the vineyard and to pour an abundance of his grace on those who may be called. May those who are considering a vocation … have the courage to follow the Lord’s call with joy!”

With National Vocation Awareness Week coming up Nov. 5-11, priests and seminarians from the Diocese welcomed the opportunity to give an update about what’s going on in the Diocese in terms of vocations to the priesthood.

Current Priestly Vocations As Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan episcopal vicar for clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians, reflected on the 19 men who are currently pursuing studies for the diocesan priesthood, he described them as being a mixed group of varying ages with a few who are second career seminarians, men who have pursued other fields of interest before they decided to become priests.

Like Christopher Pinto, who is a former music director, other seminarians left behind lives and careers spent as a jeweler, a special services/social services employee, a high school peer training leader, one who has an avid interest in the political realm and a school teacher, who during the summer months, also worked as a lifeguard.

There are also a few seminarians who entered the college seminary or soon after they had graduated from high school.

The three seminaries where the Diocese sends men for their formation are St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore; Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa. Highlights on the 2018 calendar include the diaconate ordination on May 19 during which Bishop O’Connell will ordain Pinto a transitional deacon, and the priestly ordination on June 2 during which the Bishop will ordain four priests – Rev. Messrs. Christopher James Dayton, Michael G. DeSaye, James Richard Smith, and Rev. Brother Nicholas R. Dolan.

When speaking of his seminary experience, Clingerman, a second-year

GATHERED IN PRAYER • Seminarians join in the celebration of Mass during the summer retreat they attended in the Loyola Retreat House, Morristown. John Batkowski photo theologian in Mount St. Mary, readily said that it has been better than he first imagined. He told of being challenged intellectually by the classes and developed a love and desire for continued learning; honed better time management skills through the regimented schedule and went on an evangelization

“A vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life is an incredible gift.” trip with fellow seminarians to Towson University.

“Talking to strangers about the Catholic faith helps me to get outside my comfort zone and to realize the areas of formation which I need to improve before ordination,” he said.

“There is also a great atmosphere of joy at the seminary, and the fraternity the guys share with one another is incredible,” he said, adding that he has also matured in his spiritual life through the daily practice of making a Holy Hour, meditating on Scriptures, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, spiritual reading and daily Mass.

“These elements of spiritual formation are stressed often because they are essential to the life and ministry of a priest of Jesus Christ,” he said.

“I have been able to learn so many things that have deepened my faith,” said Pinto of his time at St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, where he is a third-year theologian.

“I have been able to spend time with and learn from so many holy and knowledgeable priests who have become great friends, important mentors and lifelong role models. Most importantly, my love for Jesus Christ has grown to a level I never expected,” he said.

As a seminarian, Pinto admitted to having some challenges. Referring to himself as an “older vocation,” the

43-year-old was used to living on his own, making his own decisions and owning his own home. Now as one who lives in community, he has gotten used to set meal times, sharing common spaces. The challenges, he said, have become a “blessing.”

“I learned so much about myself. I realize that I am so unworthy of this call to the priesthood. I cannot do it justice.

I am nowhere holy enough.” But, he said, “I have also learned that the grace and mercy of God is a beautiful gift that enables me to say yes to this call.”

Spreading the Word As for promoting vocations, Father Michael Wallack, diocesan director of vocations who also serves as priestsecretary to Bishop O’Connell, plans a schedule of activities that are offered throughout the year such as high school vocation awareness days in which he and a team of priests including diocesan assistant vocation directors, Father Daniel Swift and Father Garry Koch, address the male students in the various Catholic high schools in the Diocese. He noted last month’s journey to Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, during which a special visitor – Bishop O’Connell – celebrated Mass and offered words of encouragement to

the young men.

An upcoming event is set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 15 in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, when male students will go toe-to-toe in a basketball game against Father Wallack, Father Daniel Kirk, Father Augusto Lorenzo Gamalo, Father Gregg Abadilla, Father Carlo Calisin, Father Roy Aris Ballacillo, Father Jean Felicien, Father Christopher Picollo and Father Neiser Cardenas. Other initiatives Father Wallack mentioned were meetings between high school chaplains, high school students who may be considering the priesthood and Bishop O’Connell.

Also, Father Swift, along with Father Koch and Father Wallack, have organized two visits to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary where male students who are in grades eight to 12, could spend an afternoon experiencing various aspects of seminarian life first-hand.

Consider A Vocation As National Vocation Awareness Week nears, Clingerman and Pinto encouraged people of the Diocese of Trenton to continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

“If you are discerning, trust in God!” exhorted Clingerman. “Ask God to make his will known to you and he will not disappoint you. A vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life is an incredible gift, do not be afraid to pursue it further.”

“You rarely, if ever, hear of any career day or career fair making people aware that you don’t have to earn a huge salary to be happy and successful,” Pinto said.

“The greatest success, the greatest joy, isn’t financial. The greatest joy is to do the will of God and follow Jesus Christ. You can’t put that on a wage scale,” Pinto continued. “Following Christ in full time ministry, as a priest, a nun, as a lay minister in the Church, doing charitable works, is not something our society values enough. But the value of doing those things is more precious than anything of monetary value. "

SHARING INSIGHTS • Father Michael Wallack, diocesan director of Vocations, addresses students in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, during a vocation awareness day held Oct. 16. Joe Moore photo

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The priesthood can take you 'to places you never thought possible' Continued from • V-4

Years later, he read “The Story of a Soul,” the autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, which influenced his vocation to the priesthood. He recalled at one point during his discernment, he held two brochures in his hands – one for the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, and one for the Diocese of Trenton. He said he felt called to serve his home Diocese, but kept his dream to be a priest in Alaska in the back of his mind.

Little did he know that he would have the opportunity to do both. Nine years ago, Father Swantek received a call from Bishop Edward Burns, thenbishop of the Diocese of Juneau, now present bishop of Dallas, Texas. During the phone conversation, the bishop asked, “Are you healthy? Do like to hike?” Father Swantek said yes to both questions, so Bishop Burns responded, “Come on up. I got a church for you up in Skagway.”

The name of the church was St. Therese. “It was God saying, ‘Dave, you’re meant to be here,’” Father Swantek said.

In Alaska, every day is an adventure like the ones Father Swantek aspired to have as a child. He hikes up mountains on a regular basis. He’s been on a glacier; he’s seen the Aurora Borealis, bald eagles in abundance, black bears

and brown bears. He is also working on getting his pilot’s license so he can reach more people throughout the remote

islands of the area.

“The priesthood can take you anywhere. God will move you to places you

never thought possible,” Father Swantek said. “I would never have had these opportunities if I hadn’t become a priest.”

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V-8 VOCATIONS

THE MONITOR • NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Bishop celebrates Mass, encourages seminarians to strive to be saints Story by Mary Morrell, Correspondent

S

“

aints are flesh and blood people, witnesses to the Gospel who sensed God’s call and the movement of God’s Spirit leading them to live their ordinary, everyday lives in extraordinary ways. Their response to God when they …. ‘put their hands to the plow’ is what made them saints!”

During an Oct. 4 Mass and homily in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., encouraged seminarians of the Diocese who are studying in the seminary, along with other members of the seminary community, to “strive to be saints – not statues or pictures or legends – but hard working, convinced, good people who live the Gospel and believe answering your vocation, studying in the seminary, becoming a priest will make a difference.”

Accepting an invitation from Bishop Timothy Senior, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and seminary rector, Bishop O’Connell served as principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass, which was also attended by Msgr. Thomas J. Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians. It is the custom that bishops who send men to the seminary visit and celebrate Mass there periodically.

Bishop O’Connell shared his belief that it is important for him to spend

FUTURE PRIESTS AND PASTORS • During his homily,

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., encourages seminarians of the Diocese and their classmates to strive to be saints, to take normal, human experiences and transform them into a living Gospel.

Craig Pittelli photos

RESPONDING TO GOD •

Seminarians and other members of the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary community raise their voices in prayer during the entrance procession of an Oct. 4 Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell and concelebrated by Bishop Timothy Senior, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and seminary rector.

time with the seminarians when he can. “The seminarians are our future priests and pastors in the Diocese. It is very important for them to have direct contact with their Bishop and for their peers from other dioceses to see that their Bishop and priests care about and support them.”

In April 2018, Bishop O’Connell will visit Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., to adminis-

ON THE JOURNEY • Diocesan seminarian Frank Flaherty stands at the lectern in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary during an Oct. 4 Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell. WITNESSES TO THE GOSPEL •

Bishop O’Connell, center right, gathers with seminarians from the Diocese during an Oct. 4 visit to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Also pictured are Bishop Timothy Senior, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and seminary rector, back row center, Father Michael Wallack, diocesan director of vocations, and, far right, Msgr. Thomas J. Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians.

ter the ministries of lector and acolyte on seminarians there and their classmates from other dioceses.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell offered a personal reflection on St. Francis of Assisi, “probably the most popular, beloved and well-known saint in the Church calendar. You see his image almost everywhere you look: statues of St. Francis in gardens; pictures of St. Francis in homes; representations of St. Francis in church stained glass win-

dows, and so on.”

The Bishop pointed out that St. Francis, whose feast was celebrated Oct. 4, was, at one time, “rich and rowdy, a party-hardy young man of his times, a crowd pleaser” who failed twice at a military career, and once landed in prison. Then, in a dream, he heard God calling to him, advising him that he was following the wrong master. “At the Church of San Damiano he had his conversion through Christ’s own words to him from the crucifix, ‘Repair my Church.’ And that became his passion, abandoning everything, preaching, reaching out to anyone who would listen. Francis was anything but a statue, a picture, a legend. He was edgy, aggressive and convinced! There was much he needed to do.”

Saints, said Bishop O’Connell, “are real life heroes of our faith, witnesses to Christ, lifted up as possibilities for those Christians who came after them … lifted up for us to admire and imitate. They took normal human experience and transformed it into a living Gospel. They presented a different take on the world so they seemed a little extreme and even nutty – fools for Christ. But they were as real as you and me and when they heard Christ’s voice, they never turned back.”