|
Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has announced a special “Year for Priests” with its theme, “Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests.” This special year will begin on June 19, 2009 and close June 19, 2010. During the course of the Year, Benedict XVI will proclaim Saint John Vianney as patron saint of all the priests of the world. A “Directory for Confessors and Spiritual Directors” will also be published, as well a collection of texts by the Holy Father on essential aspects of the live and mission of priests in our time. Continue to watch the website for materials for this “Year for Priests” as they become available.
The following link will take you to the USCCB Year for Priests website:
http://www.usccb.org/yearforpriests/index.shtml. You will find Pope Benedict’s message and the announcement of the plenary indulgence in both English and Spanish. In addition, prayers have been commissioned for both priests and laity respectfully. PDF documents of these prayers (English/Spanish) can be downloaded and printed for diocesan and parochial use. During the course of the year, the USCCB will make available monthly articles by prominent Catholic women; they will write about their faith and trust in the priesthood. There will be a gathering of priests in Rome for the culmination of the Year for Priests, as well as a gathering/retreat on the national level (information to follow on the USCCB site).
Vocation Website Awareness Campaign – As our Diocese joined in the observance of World Day of Prayer for Vocations on May 3, 2009, the Diocesan Vocation Office announced that it is offering you a chance to win money for your parish, school or official Catholic organization (only those located within the Diocese of Cleveland are eligible). Each time that your parish, school official Catholic organization prints the clevelandcatholicvocations.com logo in a public venue, it receives a chance for cash prizes in our raffle on or around June 30, 2010. Show proof of printing the logo, and the Vocation Office will take care of the rest. All entries must be submitted no later than May 31, 2010. Please go to www.clevelandcatholicvocations.com for more details.
WOMEN & SPIRIT: “Catholic Sisters in America”is a traveling exhibit (complete detailed information is available at their website www.womenandspirit.org) that reveals the mystery behind a small group of independent American women who helped shape the nation’s social and cultural landscape. This historic exhibit will be at The Cincinnati Museum Center, in Cincinnati, Ohio www.cincymuseum.org, from May 16, 2009 thru September 7, 2009.
Meet women who corresponded with President Thomas Jefferson, talked down bandits and roughnecks, lugged pianos into the wilderness, and provided the nation’s first health insurance to Midwestern loggers. Discover sisters’ courage during the Civil War, the Gold Rush, the San Francisco Earthquake, the Influenza Epidemic, the Civil Rights Movement, and Hurricane Katrina.
Prayer for Vocations
Compassionate God, You speak your word to us through prophets of long ago and you continue to reveal your message of love today. With great expectation we look to your Spirit to work in our world, empowering us to serve you as Jesus did.
May we listen to your word and respond generously to your call. Renew in us the grace of our own baptism. Strengthen married couples, single men and women, deacons, priests, sisters and brothers as they seek to serve you by sharing their love and compassion.
Grant wisdom to those who are discerning their call. With gratitude we proclaim the Good News of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Diocese of Cleveland - Formation Year 2008 - 2009:
This year the Center for Pastoral Leadership has the following in formation:
Saint Mary Seminary - 23 Seminarians for the Diocese of Cleveland and 1 Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Taegu, Korea. In addition to those discerning priesthood - there are 45 students in the Master of Arts Program, 12 students in the Doctor of Ministry Program and 34 continuing education students.
BorromeoCollegeSeminary - 43 seminarians. 31 for the Diocese of Cleveland, 11 Capuchin-Franciscans of the Saint Augustine Provice of Pittsburgh, and 1 for the Fathers of the Congregation of Saint Joseph.
Pastoral Ministry Program - 57 candidates in formation.
Diaconate Program - 18 Candidates in formation.
Mission Statement:
"As the Secretariat for Clergy and Religious, we collaborate with the Bishop in a ministry of service and ongoing formation to those who serve as ecclesial ministers in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland."
|
