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January 2022 | Vocation Office Newsletter

January 2022 | Vocation Office Newsletter

Vocation Office Newsletter Dear Friends, As is our custom, we spent the feast of St. John Neumann in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament, asking the Lord to bless our local Church with more priests & religious. I’m grateful to St. Timothy Parish (Philadelphia) and St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish (Yardley) for hosting our Vocation Office holy hours, as well as to so many other parishes around the Archdiocese for offering special prayers on this great feast.
This month, we’ll be gathering discerners to do a service project, offering two Come & See weekends, and training our clergy & parishes to form new parish vocation committees. I hope that all of these efforts will help to build up a true culture of vocations in our midst.
As we begin this new year of grace, may the Lord bless you with peace & zeal!
The only true pleasure is that which comes to us through faith.
(Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati) In Christ,
Rev. David M. Friel Vocation Director Upcoming Initiatives
Clergy Training – Parish Vocation Committees January 14, 2022

Are you looking to foster and promote vocations in your parish? Mrs. Rhonda Gruenewald, Vocation Ministry and author of Hundredfold, will be facilitating a Clergy Training with Fr. David Friel on January 14th, 2022. This training will help clergy learn how to form a Parish Vocation Committee in their parish and continue the important work of fostering a culture of vocations!
Out of an abundance of caution due to the recent surge in COVID cases, this training will now be held ONLINE via ZOOM from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Clergy are welcome to register for this training no later than Wednesday, January 12th, by contacting Sue Matour, Associate Director at smatour@archphila.org.
Quo Vadis Days June 27 – June 30, 2022

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!!
High school men (incoming freshmen to graduated seniors) are invited to attend QUO VADIS DAYS! This annual 4-day camp – held between Monday, June 27th and Thursday, June 30th – is filled with many opportunities for fun & fellowship and includes dynamic talks, time for prayer, daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, and fun sports & activities.
Using our theme of To the Heights, this year we will be exploring the life of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. This is a great opportunity for young men to grow in their faith, to interact with the Philadelphia seminarians, and to see old friends and make new ones!
The cost for this camp is on a sliding scale of $25 to $300 (pay what you are able), and the registration deadline is June 1st.
Don’t wait to register – reserve your spot for this year’s camp!
Registration materials are available below, and also on our website (heedthecall.org/quovadis), or by contacting Jillian Minnich, Program Coordinator at jminnich@archphila.org. Download Flyer Download Registration Packet
Come & See Weekends
Come & See Weekends for high school men and post-high school men, are opportunities for men to visit the Seminary. These weekends include Mass, praying Liturgy of the Hours with the seminary community, Holy Hours, talks on discernment and vocations, and the opportunity to spend time with the seminarians in formation.
Available dates are listed below. There is no cost to attend these weekends, which include a single room and all meals.
If you are discerning the priesthood and want to explore a possible call to the priesthood, then contact Fr. Friel at fr.dfriel@archphila.org or register for a Come and See Weekend, at Heedthecall.org/ComeandSee HIGH SCHOOL MEN January 22-23, 2022 February 12-13, 2022 April 2-3, 2022 POST-HIGH SCHOOL MEN January 28-30, 2021 February 25-27, 2022 March 25-27, 2022
Recent Happenings
Holy Hour for Vocations January 5, 2022
The Vocation Office began the New Year asking for God’s blessings upon our ministry and the Archdiocese by praying in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the feast of St. John Neumann, January 5th.
St. Timothy in Mayfair and St. Ignatius of Antioch in Yardley, welcomed Fr. Friel and several of the Philadelphia seminarians as they prayed for an increase in vocations, and exhorted all to pray the prayer of St. John Neumann, “Dearest God, give me holiness.”
The Holy Hours also included a Litany for Vocations. If you would like to add this to your prayer devotions, click on the download button below.
Download Litany for Vocations If your parish would like vocation prayer resources or would like to host a Holy Hour for Vocations, please contact Sue Matour, Associate Director, at smatour@archphila.org.
Resources
Video Library
Did you know that the website for the Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood, Heedthecall.org, has an extensive video library?
These videos are for those who are discerning, as well as those who support and promote vocations.
Discerners: There are multiple videos to help you find answers to some of your questions including, What Does a Priest Do?, What is Discernment?, How Should a Discerner Pray?, etc.
Feature Videos: These videos are wonderful testaments to the priesthood to be enjoyed by everyone – discerners, families, classrooms, parishes, etc., including the most recent Power of the Priesthood video, featuring Msgr. Frank Depman.
Personal Testimony: Listen as many who work for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia share their stories of how a priest has changed their lives,
Fuel the Flame: Have questions about how to help create a culture of vocations in your parishes and communities? Listen to snippets of wisdom from Mike Patin, national speaker, on how to invite and encourage others.
Thought Nuggets: Listen as former Vocation Director, Fr. DeLacy, shares insights on a variety of topics.
Lesson Plans

Teachers and Catechists! Did you know that the Vocation Office has resources for you? Vocation lesson plans, organized by grade, Vocations Jeopardy, and a quick reference guide are available for your use on our website at website, Heedthecall.org.
Looking for something that you can’t find? Contact Sue Matour, Associate Director, at 610-667-5778 or smatour@archphila.org for help!
Seminarian Spotlight Rev. Mr. Ryan Nguyen
Year in Seminary: Theology IV Home Parish: St. Martin of Tours, Philadelphia Undergraduate Degree: Temple University, B. S.
Graduate Degree: University of the Sciences, Pharm. D.
Favorite Scripture Verse: John 10:18 Favorite Saints: St. Maria Goretti, St. Philomena, St. Rita Hobbies: Reading, hiking, ping pong, tennis, basketball Vocational Advice: Listen to His sacred voice: “Follow Me.”
To listen to Deacon Ryan’s vocation story, visit Heedthecall.org/poster.
Around the Archdiocese Offices for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults

The Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood works closely with the Office for Ministry with Youth and the Office for Ministry with Young Adults as they accompany youth and young adults on their journeys of faith. Both groups recently launched their new websites (see below).
The Office for Ministry with Youth: Marisally Santiago, Director; phillyomy.org.
The Office for Ministry with Young Adults: Matthew Davis, Director; phillyomya.org
These offices are part of the Office for Faith Formation with Youth and Young Adults which also includes the Office for Catechetical Formation. They recently launched a video describing the various services/resources that their offices provide and can be found HERE.
Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood | 610-667-5778 HeedTheCall.org

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