Priests learn that vocations are 'stabilizing'

Our role and goal is to create a vocations culture," Msgr. Burns told his brother priests. He added that in the Diocese of Providence, 42 new priests have been ordained since 1997

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WARWICK - Diocesan clergy attending the annual Priests' Study Day Monday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel were challenged to identify men who might be called to the priesthood and invite them to explore a life of service in the Catholic Church.

"It is a wonderful gift to stand in the person of Christ," said Msgr. Edward J. Burns, executive director of Vocations and Priestly Formation for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. "This is an opportunity for us to be attentive to the gift we have, and to identify a young man who might have a priestly vocation."

Msgr. Burns, the keynote speaker at the program entitled "Priestly Life and Vocations Summit: Fishers of Men," noted that a recent Vatican-appointed study of the nation's 229 seminaries of which 158 were visited found seminarians to be men who are dedicated, wholesome, holy and committed to their calling.

The Pittsburgh native said that 400-500 priests are ordained each year in this country. The average age of newly-ordained is 36; 30 percent are foreign-born, and the men come from a variety of backgrounds, including education and law. Some are triathlon athletes, and one young priest, ordained last year in an undisclosed diocese, is the grandson of the late actor John Wayne.

Msgr. Burns said priestly vocations are flourishing in the Third World, while there has been a decrease in the number of new priests in North America and Western Europe. He added that the number of priestly vocations in the United States is stabilizing, after experiencing a significant drop during the past three decades. In 1975, there were 5,273 men studying for the priesthood; in 2005, 3,308 seminarians were pursuing studies for a life of ministry in the Catholic Church.

"Our role and goal is to create a vocations culture," Msgr. Burns told his brother priests. He added that in the Diocese of Providence, 42 new priests have been ordained since 1997.

Msgr. Burns remarked that in a 2003 survey, 78 percent of the seminarians who answered the questionnaire responded that a priest had invited them to explore their vocation. He urged those in attendance to mark the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, April 28, Good Shepherd Sunday, by inviting young men to consider a life of ministry and asking the faithful in their parishes to pray for vocations.

Another survey taken in 2001 indicated only 30 percent of the priests who responded said that they actually invite young men to explore a vocation to the priesthood.

"What could happen if we doubled that number?" he questioned. "That challenges us as priests."

Msgr. Burns told those assembled that they have a "share in the apostolic succession," like Simon Peter and Andrew, who Jesus told "I will make you fishers of men."

Turning his attention to the Diocese of Providence, Msgr. Burns asked Father Robert Hawkins, pastor of St. Luke Church, Barrington, to share his own vocation story.

"Every priest has a unique vocation story just as each priest has a unique relationship with Jesus," the monsignor emphasized.

Father Hawkins said the seeds of his vocation were planted one day as he walked along the beach at Bonnet Shores with an uncle, who was a Merchant Marine. He saw the ease with which the man greeted fellow walkers, and how happy he was to stop, if only for a few minutes, to share a part of their lives.

When he entered Our Lady of Providence Seminary several years later, the young man's life was blessed in many ways.

"Some of the people here in this room had an effect on my priesthood," he reflected, adding that he found the priests on the faculty to be good teachers who were vibrant and who had a sense of mission.

"It gave me a positive example of what a priest can be," he concluded.

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin thanked Father Marcel L Taillon, diocesan Vocations Director and Director of Ongoing Formation, and Father Michael Najim, diocesan Vocations Recruiter for their work in planning the event. They were assisted by the members of members of the Ongoing Formation of Priests Board, including Fathers Henry J. Bodah, Edward S. Cardente, Michael A. Colello, Charles H. Downing, Dariusz G. Jonczyk, Charles B. McDermott, James T. Ruggieri, Gildardo Suarez and Normand. J. Godin, diocesan minister for priests

Catherine Landry, secretary for Ongoing Formation for Priests, and Paula Mollo, secretary of the diocesan seminary and vocations office, were also recognized for their work in planning the event.

(This article originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)

Priest jubilarians honored

The following priest jubliarians were honored at a dinner held April 16 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick

65 years

Msgr. Michael W. Dziob

Father Joseph T. Gallagher

Father Raymond A.Beaulieu

Msgr. Galliano J. Cavallaro

60 years

Archbishop George H. Pearce, S.M.

Father Anthony F. Carmone

Msgr. Norman G. Metsy

Father Peter J. Narewski

Father Joseph S. Thadeu

Father Peter G. Young

55 years

Father Ralph R. Hogan

50 years

Bishop Robert E. Mulvee

Father Philip E. Bonvouloir, A.A.

Father Czeslaw L. Kachel

Father John F. Heaney

40 years

Father Stanley T. Nakowicz

Father Bertrand L. Theroux

Father Lawrence E. Toole

Father Victor M. Vieira

Father Gerald F. Finnegan, S.J.

25 years

Father Bernard M. J. Dore

Father John W. O'Brien

Msgr. Jacques L. Plante

Father Frank S. Salmani

Father Henry P. Zinno, Jr.

Father Timothy J. Gorton

Father Ronald P. Simeone

(This article originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)