2015 Bishop's Annual Appeal

PHOTO | PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE

DIOCESAN SEMINARIAN  Cesar Jaramillo, a seminarian of the Diocese of Paterson and a parishioner of St. Anthony Parish in Passaic, received the Ministry of Lector from Coadjutor Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Newark last year in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he is studying for the priesthood.

Appeal donors are investing in the future of the Diocese by supporting seminarians

CLIFTON  Over the years, the Paterson Diocese has been blessed with many men answering the call to the priesthood carrying out the ministry of Jesus Christ. Last May, the Diocese was recognized as having the largest ordination class in the country, along with the Archdiocese of Chicago, when Bishop Serratelli ordained 14 men to the priesthood. Also, earlier this year, 10 men were ordained by the Bishop as transitional deacons and will be ordained to the priesthood next May. Currently there are 59 seminarians in the formation process for the Diocese of Paterson studying at different seminaries around the country and abroad.

Since Bishop Serratelli was installed as the Diocese’s seventh Bishop in 2004, the increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life has risen dramatically. The opportunity for diocesan seminarians to be educated and to be fully prepared to serve as priests relies on the help of the laity. Because of this, seminarian education is one of the beneficiaries of the 2015 Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

This year, under the theme, “Serving Christ Among Us,” the Bishop’s Annual Appeal not only supports seminarians studying for the priesthood but also diocesan Catholic Charities agencies; inner city area Catholic schools in the diocese; and Nazareth Village, the retired diocesan priests’ residence in Chester.

Father Hubert Jurjewicz, diocesan director of vocations, said, “The diocesan priesthood is a call, not a career. It is a way of life, not a job and it is an identity, not just a role. Priests are called to be accessible, approachable and available to people and their concerns. I thank all our priests for their hard work and for their example as we remind ourselves that our young people are inspired to the priesthood by priests who themselves live joyful, happy lives serving the Church. It remains true that the best examples of priesthood are joyful priests who love their faith and who love the Church.”

Last year, the Diocese allocated $751,997 to help fund the cost of seminarian education. On average, one year of priestly formation for one seminarian costs $47,000. Father Jurjewicz said, “The blessing of these many vocations presents one particular challenge — we need help in meeting the cost to educate our seminarians. Would you be willing to make an investment in the future of the Diocese by helping support the men who will bring the Sacraments, priestly presence and spiritual guidance to you, your children and your grandchildren?”

Seminarians experience long days of study during the week with times of prayer and Mass. They also have meetings throughout the week with spiritual directors, formation advisers and small group formation. Many times, seminarians also help out at local parishes to serve God’s people through various ministries on the weekend.

In addition to tuition and room and board, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal helps with retreat costs, books and a small stipend that seminarians are paid to help with incidental expenses.

Father Jurjewicz invites young people to consider the priesthood. “It offers an opportunity to live a meaningful life with a clear purpose in a variety of different situations,” he said. “Priesthood offers you the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the Christian community by bringing hope and healing to many.”

To support the 2015 Bishop’s Annual Appeal, parishioners can make a one-time gift or make a pledge to be paid over several months.

“The number of seminarians now in formation is a blessing. We need priests but with such an increase in number of seminarians there comes an increased need for funding,” Father Jurjewicz said. “Thank you to all of you who pray for and promote vocations at the parish level. Sometimes all that is necessary is for someone in the parish or diocese to suggest the notion of vocation to a young person. You can be that someone today. Parents and friends need to encourage, not discourage. Young people need permission and reassurance to talk about and consider the priesthood. My prayer is that conversation will begin now. If the priesthood appeals to you, please contact me directly for a conversation or contact any of the priests in your parish or the diocese,” he said.

[To donate, visit www.2015appeal.org or call (973) 777-8818, ext. 215. For information on the priesthood, visit www.vocationspaterson.com or call (973) 777-8818, ext. 211.]