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Programs & Events!
Papal Visit, April 18–20, 2008
When the Pope came to New York City, Rochester went to meet him. The men of Becket Hall and others seriously discerning the Priesthood traveled to the meeting of Seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary in Dunwoodie. Not only did they get to see the Pope, they also got to spend several days with Seminarians from all across the country. What a great blessing it was to meet so many young men purusing the Priesthood!

Senior Scene With Bishop Clark
On Friday May 20, 2005 more than 230 seniors gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral for a faith-filled day of fun, music and witness entitled, "Senior Scene."

The seniors were invited by Bishop Matthew Clark and the Office of Vocation Awareness to spend a day together reflecting on their personal gifts and how each might use them in unique ways to serve God and the Church.

Tony Melendez, the highly talented musician and composer born without arms, was the keynote speaker and entertainer.  He spoke of embracing his uniqueness and using it as a tool to bring others closer to God. The students also heard from Bishop Clark and others who shared stories of their vocations to married, ordained or religious life.

On May 19, 2006, and May 18, 2007, we did it again!

NEW YORK STATE VOCATION RETREAT

Fr. Kevin (Brooklyn) and Fr. Doug (Ogdensburg) talk about discernment.
Each year Vocation Director Fr. Tim Horan brings a group of young men to Schenectady, NY for a two-day seminar on discernment for diocesan priesthood.  Six of the eight dioceses of New York (Rochester, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Albany, Rockville Center, and Brooklyn) send college-age "discerners" for this informative event.  Those who attend are invited because they have expressed a desire to take a closer look at the priestly vocation. The days are filled with prayer, talks, quiet reflection and individual conversations.
Some of the topics discussed are:

  • What does it mean to be Children of God?
  • What is a vocation?  What does a vocation feel like?
  • What is a priest?
  • What are some signs that would indicate a possible priestly vocation?
Bishop Hubbard of Albany celebrates morning Mass.

Talks are followed by a "questions unlimited" session that often lasts well into the night.

The men pray morning, evening, and night prayer together and take turns keeping vigils before the Blessed Sacrament throughout the night. 

Those who have attended have said that this retreat experience helped them enormously in understanding what priesthood, and in particular diocesan priesthood, was about.  In the words of one of our young men, "It's really out there now ... priesthood.  I learned so much here.  Now, I know more about what a priest is ... I can really compare that with what lies deep in my heart and God will help me know the way to go."

 

Fr. Tim and the 2006 Rochester group.

This is an annual opportunity for college-aged discerning men to explore the priestly life.
Does this sound like an event for you - everything you need to know about this vocation?
Contact the Vocation Office to get information on the next discernment retreat.