Four County
Our DIOCESE
CATHOLIC
VOCATIONS CORNER
FATHER GREGORY GALVIN, DIRECTOR OF PRIESTLY VOCATIONS
A True Story – Part Two–
e follows Father Christopher’s advice. He still has consoling and difficult days, but he soon discovers that the fear passes if he turns to trust in the goodness of God the Father and longs to live in that peaceful stillness. He still fluctuates back and forth on occasion – some days experiencing gratitude when thinking about the possibility of God choosing him to be a priest, some days being afraid that he would not
be happy as a celibate man. However, he is noticing that the thought of the priesthood is gradually resulting in more and more peace and less and less fear. So, after six months of this occurring in his heart, Michael decides to go home for a weekend and finally tell his parents that he is strongly thinking about entering the seminary after graduation. His dad does not respond as Michael was hoping. His dad’s non-verbal body
New Vocations Feb FCC 2017_Layout 1 1/26/2017 9:17 AM Page 1
Holy Hour for Vocations The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, leads the Holy Hour: Father Greg Galvin, Director of Priestly Vocations vocations@norwichdiocese.net
(860) 887-9294
www.God-Calls.com
February 23, 2017 • 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm holy family Church, hebron March 16, 2017 • 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Saints peter & Paul, Norwich April 20, 2017 • 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Saint Mary, Willimantic
We Pray for our seminarians Normand Laflamme 2nd Year PreTheology Mt. St. Mary Seminary Emmitsburh, MD
Michael Bovino 1st Year Theology Mt. St. Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD
Jacob ramos 1st Year PreTheology Mt. St. Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD
Dharen Brochero 2nd Year English Studies Clark University Worcester, MA
Frank Gilbert 3rd Year Theology Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary Weston, MA
Rev. Mr. Ron Blank 3rd Year Theology Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary Weston, MA
Lawrence Barile. 1st Year PreTheology Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary Weston, MA
Michael Castiblanco 2nd Year English Studies Clark University Worcester, MA
language spoke very strongly as he asked questions like, “Why would you want to do that when you could get a good job and have a family? Are you sure you want to be a priest? Are you sure you would be happy?” Michael feels deep sadness and rejection. However, his mother, who faithfully nurtured him in the sacramental life throughout his childhood, says, “Michael, ever since you were a little boy, I knew there was something special about you.”
Although his mother’s words console him, Michael feels hurt and some self-pity over his dad’s response. Then, in sharing his feelings with Jesus in prayers, Michael thinks about his own reaction and he is surprised by it. He is surprised that he feels resistance, instead of relief, to his dad’s response. A year ago, he would have wanted to agree with his dad’s response. Now, after these months of what he has been experiencing in his heart, he feels misunderstood by his father and resists it. He is surprised by how much the possibility of being a priest has come to mean to him; he is surprised by how personal it has become for him; he is surprised by how much his heart desires this. This awareness gives him a feeling of peace and clarity. Over the next days, he does fine when he focuses on his mother’s words and the surprise of his reaction
to his dad’s response. But Michael has great respect for his dad, so his response plays over in Michael’s mind and sometimes he focuses on it. When he does, he notices that his mind turns, confusion sets in and he feels pressure to resolve this whole thing. Finally, he again calls Father Christopher and tells him about his experience with his parents and that he is still struggling with his dad’s response. Father Christopher simply says, “Michael, through whom do you think Christ spoke to you, your dad or your mom? What is the voice of Christ like in you? Peace and clarity or pressure and confusion?” Discerning a call to the diocesan priesthood or religious life as a sister, brother or priest can be filled with moments of clarity, confusion, peace, and fear. If you find yourself considering a call by God to serve the Church as one of his priests or in religious life, then the story about Michael is for you. Do not be afraid to speak with a priest or someone in religious life about your own experience. Most importantly, pray and spend time with Jesus. The more familiar you become with Jesus, the easier it becomes to respond freely and without fear. Please know you are in the prayers of Bishop Cote, my prayers and the prayers of many of God’s family in the Diocese of Norwich.
February 2017
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Following, is part two of the true story about a senior in college, Michael, whose major is chemistry. Part one ended with Father Christopher sharing four significant things regarding Michael’s discernment and the fear and confusion he’s been experiencing. To refresh your memory of the story, simply review this past January’s issue.
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