Oct. 8, 2014

By Gregory A. Shemitz
Catholic News Service

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (CNS)  - Archbishop Jorge Patron Wong, secretary for seminaries at the Vatican's Congregation for Clergy, understands the need to affirm, assist and support priests involved in vocation ministry.

During his weeklong participation at the 51st annual convention of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors, held Sept. 19-26 in Long Island, the archbishop made sure he connected with as many priests as he could, to encourage their efforts in helping men to respond to God's call to the priesthood.
Their work is vital to the future of the church, Archbishop Patron told Catholic News Service.

"Pope Francis says if the younger generation answers God's call, Christ's call, they're going to renew the church," the archbishop said. "Our hope is that the new generation -- guided by good priests, good staff at the seminaries, good formators, good spiritual directors and good vocation directors -- will renew the church with their energy, with their enthusiasm and the ideas the Holy Spirit is placing in their hearts."

The convention drew 280 participants, including 16 bishops and 230 vocation directors from the U.S., Australia, Canada, England, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Scotland. Each day featured opportunities for prayer, education and fellowship.

Archbishop Patron's attendance was a welcome sign of papal support for priests who face a variety of challenges as they look to generate priestly vocations for their respective dioceses.

One of the biggest challenges is making prayer a priority in their ministry, according to Father Paul Hoesing, who is president of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors and vocation director for the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska.

"We have to learn how to be disciples ourselves and then learn how to disciple others," the priest said. Prayer should be the go-to tool in the toolbox of every vocation director, he said.

Father Jorge Torres, vocation director for the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, cited helping young people develop a life of prayer as another great challenge for vocation directors.

"We have to teach young men and women how to pray in a way, as Pope Francis says, for most to have that daily encounter with Jesus," said Father Torres. "If they have that encounter, any fears, any concerns, the resistance from the world will be loved away, will be melted."

To help address this concern, the national organization plans to release a book geared to helping young adults improve their prayer lives, Father Torres said. The book, "Have I Been With You? Personal Prayer for Young Disciples," will be available through its website, www.ncdvd.org, in late October.

Father Shawn McKnight, executive director of the Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said a difficulty for vocation directors is the "negative stance" many parents harbor when a child is interested in discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life.

"This is especially the case among Hispanic families," Father McKnight said. "They're not always positive about their child becoming a priest or religious sister, although they are very happy to encourage their extended family members to become priests and sisters."

Convincing a parent to trust in the discernment process is a challenge all vocation directors face, regardless of the family's cultural background, Father McKnight said.

Communication and open dialogue between parent and child is essential, the priest said.

"The best way is to talk openly about it," Father McKnight said. "A parent is going to be fearful for their son or daughter, no matter what they do, even if it's the choice of a spouse. That's normal. You have to talk about it. You have to have some way to deal with it."

Vocation directors also can connect parents of those considering a vocation with parents of seminarians and newly ordained priests, so "those who have gone through the process can speak of their wisdom in dealing with those fears and concerns," he said.

The vocation ministry is clearly not for the meek of heart. Effort and hard work don't guarantee success and, in some cases, can lead to burnout or a transfer to another diocesan department or parish.

According to the NCDVD, which provides year-round support and outreach to those in the ministry, an average of 45 new vocation directors are appointed each year in U.S. dioceses.

"The work is rather stressful," admitted Father Jim Crisman, the organization's vice president and vocation director for the Archdiocese of Denver. "Oftentimes we feel pressure to produce 'numbers.'"

Despite this, Father Crisman remains enthusiastic. "I love the ministry," he said. "I find it a blessed opportunity to enter with these young men into a process of looking at the priesthood which I love so much. It's a great chance for me to say this is what the Lord might be calling you to, come a little bit closer."

CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic
Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., and other bishops, including Bishop Terry R. LaValley, second from right, celebrate Mass Sept. 23 at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, N.Y., during the 51st annual convention of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. Father Bryan D. Stitt, diocesan vocation director was among more than 200 vocation directors from the U.S., Australia, Canada, England, Italy, Mexico and Scotland who attended the weeklong event. Each day featured opportunities for prayer, education and fellowship.