Series on Seminarian

The Columbus Dispatch is doing a six-day series on the journey to the priesthood for one young man. They go behind the scenes of seminary life to paint a picture of one man's vocation. It is really unheard of for secular media to do a six-part series, let alone one on the priesthood.

You can check out the articles here.

Thanks to The Deacon's Bench for linking to this article.

The photo courtesy: The Columbus Dispatch.

Priesthood: "The Coolness Factor"

A toy Mass kit? That's right. Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle writes a review of the toy for Catholic boys. She says, "What better time to instill a vocation to the priesthood in your young 3 to 12 year-old son, nephew, grandson, godson, or friend than in the Year of the Priest?" You can check out the My Mass Kit toy here. I've met many priests who tell me they used to "play Mass" when they were kids.

I wonder if Donna is on to something in promoting this toy. I think there is something to be said about what I'm terming "The Coolness Factor." Not to be irreverent, but the priesthood is very cool. At every Mass, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the priest brings the Lord Jesus to the world in the Eucharist. In Confession, God works through the priest to save a soul from damnation and bring it back to God. That is cool. Very cool. If a young boy is able to see the coolness of the priesthood, I believe he will be much more open to answering a call. Of course, there is much more to the priesthood than "The Coolness Factor;" priesthood is a challenging vocation for sure, but with God all things are possible.

If you want to see a great example of "The Coolness Factor," check out this wonderful video: God in the Streets of New York City from Grassroots Films. The priesthood is cool.

If you would like more information on answering a call to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Hartford, please contact Fr. Michael Dolan. Check out the vocation's site. The phone number is 860-761-7456. Or you can e-mail Father at director@vocationshartford.org.

Two Deacons To Be Ordained Priests

After years of preparation and anticipation, Deacons Robert A. Morgewicz and Marcin P. Pluciennik will be ordained to the priesthood, on Saturday May 9th by Archbishop Henry J. Mansell at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Crossroads Magazine will be there for the ceremony, and will bring it to you later in the week.

The Catholic Transcript has already previewed the event.

Best of luck to Deacons Morgewicz and Pluciennik.