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Send comments & questions to:

Fr. Burke Masters
Director of
Vocation Promotion
101 W. Airport Road
Romeoville, IL 60446
815.834.4004

 

MINISTRIES OF THE DIOCESE OF JOLIET

2011 - 2012 JOLIET DIOCESE SEMINARIANS
 

  DiscernmentRetreatsDiocesan PriesthoodReligious LifeDiaconate
 

Lay Formation 

 
Totus Tuus
Click on this link to see the Totus Tuus 2012 Schedule


  Parish Vocation Committee Resources

Discernment Series for Women & Men Considering Their Vocation

 


Fr. Burke's Thoughts for the Day 

 

Priesthood and Transitional Diaconate Ordination will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet.  All are welcome!

 

The following seminarians will be ordained priests for the Diocese of Joliet
on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet.
 All are welcome to attend



FRANKLIN DURAN
4TH YEAR THEOLOGY
MUNDELEIN SEMINARY

Click on picture to read Franklin's Biography

 




SEBASTIAN GARGOL
4TH YEAR THEOLOGY
SS. CYRIL & METHODIUS SEMINARY

Click on picture to read Sebastian's Biography



WILLIAM VAGENAS
4TH YEAR THEOLOGY
MUNDELEIN SEMINARY
Click on picture to read Bill"s Biography

The following seminarians will be ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of Joliet on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet.
All are welcome to attend

MAREK HERBUT
PASTORAL YEAR
ST. MARY PARISH
WEST CHICAGO

Click on picture to read Marek's Biography
 

JOHN LOVITSCH
3RD YEAR THEOLOGY
NORTH AMERICAN
PONTIFICAL COLLEGE
 ROME

Click on picture to read John's Biography

MARCIN MICHALAK
4TH YEAR THEOLOGY
SS. CYRIL & METHODIUS SEMINARY

Click on picture to read Marcin's Biography

DAVID MOWRY
3RD YEAR THEOLOGY
MUNDELEIN SEMINARY

Click on picture to read David's Biography

Is God calling me to be a priest?  How do I know if God is calling me?  There are several things that help us to discern God's call in our lives:

1.  Prayer:  Spend time daily in quiet prayer, especially in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  Also praying the Rosary.  Mary's total surrender to God is a model for all of us to follow.  Read the Scriptures, especially the Gospels.

2.  Sacraments:  Frequent reception of the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist open our hearts to hearing the voice of God.

3.  Counsel:  Seek counsel from people you trust (your parents, a priest).  Get spiritual direction from someone trained to do so.

4.  Silence:  Being with God in silence allows us to hear His voice, away from all of the distractions of the world.

5.  Visit:  Visit a seminary: You do not know what y9ou are saying yes or no to unless you go and see.

6.  Participate:  Join a discernment group in order to be with others who are trying to discern God's will in their lives.

7.  Trust:  Above all, trust that doing the will of God will bring us joy and peace.

If you are thinking about priesthood, I would encourage you to take part in some of the events we offer in the Diocese of Joliet.  You are not alone in searching for your calling by God.


 

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JOLIET Priesthood
Discernment Group
(For all men ages 17+)

What Is the
Priesthood Discernment Group?

The Discernment Group provides an opportunity for men to gather monthly to discuss issues concerning diocesan priestly life and ministry, to pray together as vocations are discerned, and to provide fellowship and support among those who are considering a call to follow Jesus in priesthood.

The Discernment Group is open to all men who are juniors in high school and older who want to meet informally once a month to discuss the possibility of priestly life and ministry.  New members are always welcome.

Are you considering a call to priesthood?  Is your heart touched to follow Christ?  Would you like to know more about being a priest today?  If you answered "yes" to these questions, then the Priesthood Discernment Group is for you.  In the group, you'll have the chance to meet other men thinking about priesthood and talk with several diocesan priests and seminarians as they discuss important issues in making an informed decision about their vocations.

All meetings will be held at the

John Paul II House
430 N. Center Street
Joliet, IL 60435
Get directions

For more information contact:
 Fr. Burke Masters
815.834.4004
 

Joliet Priesthood
Discernment Group
2012 - 2013 Schedule
 (For all men ages 17+)

All men who are 17 and over are welcome to join others who are discerning a call to the priesthood

The schedule is as follows for meetings:
 Sundays from 2-4pm
2:00pm - Adoration
2:30 - 4:00pm Discussion


*Check back in early fall for dates


 


Meetings will take place on Sundays at the
John Paul II House
 430 N. Center Street
Joliet, IL 60435
 Get directions

For more information contact:
 Fr. Burke Masters
815.834.4004

Upcoming Seminary Visits / Retreats
2013 Schedule

Check back in early fall for more information


 

Current Catholic News from Zenit

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Discernment Series for Women & Men Considering Their Vocation
sponsored by JAVA (Joliet Area Vocation Association)

 

Listening To God's Call

Gatherings for Young Adult Women & Men, ages 18 - 40, Considering Their Vocation

You are invited to gather with women and men religious and young adults
who want to explore the possibilities of religious life and priesthood in the Catholic Church.

 

Each gathering will have a brief presentation, discussion and time for reflection and prayer.

You are invited to attend as few or as many gatherings as you like.

 

All gathering will be held at
LORETTO CENTER
1600 Somerset Lane

Wheaton, IL 60189

3:00 - 5:00 PM

 

Below is a list of gatherings and the topic for the day:

October 9, 2011 - Discovering the Call

November 13, 2011 - Prayer

December 11, 2011 -  Spirituality & prayer

January 8, 2012 - Religious Life

February 12, 2012 - Vows -Chastity/Celibacy

March 11, 2012 - Vows-Poverty

April 15, 2012 - Vows-Obedience

May 20, 2012 - Bumps in the Road

June 10, 2012 - Explore Religious Orders

For more information or to register, please contact:

Sr. Claire Vandborg, IBVM

Loretto Center

1600 Somerset Lane

Wheaton, IL 60189

630.868.2904

CLVand@aol.com

 

 

Fr. Burke Masters
Diocese of Joliet
Director of Vocation Promotion

 


 

Fr. Burke’s
  “Thoughts for the Day”

 

Go to http://www.frburke23.wordpress.com and click on Subscribe to Fr. Burke Masters by Email on the right column and follow the instructions.  Once you subscribe you will receive the daily updates that I add.  You can also send this link to others to subscribe.  Please let me know if there are problems. 

 

I will send this message each day this week and then starting next week I will just be posting the “thoughts” on this web site.  So only those who subscribe will receive the daily thoughts.  I look forward to interacting with you.

 

************************************************************************

Have a blessed day!
Fr. Burke

"There is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend." (John 15:13)
 


Discover Your Talents with the Story of My Life

Complete this online survey and receive instant results that point to your gifts in leadership, relationship, and spirituality.  A very good tool for vocation discernment.

Articles to Read and Share ...

The Gift of Celibacy

Home Grown Vocations

Priest to Priest TOB Witness

Money really can't buy happiness, study finds...clergy are the most satisfied with their jobs; lawyers, doctors down on the list

Sacraments of Vocation: Holy Orders and Matrimony

Signs of a Religious Vocation, by Father Martin Pable, OFM Cap.

 

Vocations: How Is God Calling Me? by Fidelis Tracy, C.D.P.

Exploring the Charism ‘Menu’ of Religious Life, by Sister Sue Torgersen, CSJ

 

*********************

How Do I Hear God's Call
In My Life?

 

Vocation comes from a Latin word meaning “calling”.  Usually when we hear the word vocation, we think only of priests and religious.  However, every single person in the world is called by God to love and serve Him.  There are four types of vocations:  priesthood, religious life, marriage and single life.  All of these vocations are ways in which we reach heaven.


The key to finding our vocation is prayer.  Our world is full of distractions—TV, internet, cell phones, texting, IPods, commercials, Twitter, etc.  Very few people take the time to pray in silence every day because we might be afraid silence.  We encounter God and who we really are in the eyes of God in the silence and this might frighten us.  However, it is in this silence that the Lord speaks directly to our hearts.


So if your heart is restless and you are trying to find your way in life, take time to pray.  Find a church or adoration chapel and take some time in silence with the Lord.


Other recommendations include attending daily Mass, going to confession, reading the Gospels, praying the rosary, finding a spiritual director, reading the spiritual classics and hanging around good people who support your faith life.


If you are thinking about priesthood, I would encourage you to take part in some of the events we offer in the Diocese of Joliet.  You are not alone in searching for your calling by God.

Totus Tuus is a Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. The goal of Totus Tuus is to help young people grow in the understanding of, and strengthen their faith in, Jesus Christ. It is only by establishing a real and personal relationship with Him that we can be led to the love of the Father in the Spirit and so be made sharers in the life of the Holy Trinity. "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 4:16). Totus Tuus strives to bring our faith to life by creating a balance between knowledge of the meaning of the Sacraments and an authentic Sacramental life.

Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to vocations in the young people we serve as well as among the teachers. This is accomplished by placing special emphasis on the importance and necessity of prayer, Eucharistic devotion, and Marian devotion, in addition to catechetical instruction and formation in the Catholic faith.

Click on this link for a video of Totus Tuus Summer 2011

Click on link to see the 2012 scheduled parishes

College Students'
Vocation Survey
We want to know what you think

  

Help us understand what young adults feel about religious vocations today.

Check out the Results

Frequently Asked Questions

Scripture Passages on Discernment, Vocations, Call, and Priesthood

Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations

For Vocation Directors

 

 

Pope Benedict XVI on the Priesthood
The Priest - the Believer

The priest must be a believer, one who converses with God. If this is not the case, then all his activities are futile. The most lofty and important thing a priest can do for people is first of all being what he is: a believer. Through faith he lets God, the other, come into the world. ... (Click here to read more)
Find your match!!!!!

With so many options, it's not easy to discern the best path to live out your Christian calling. Vocation Match can help you narrow your search. You'll be asked a series of questions that will help you gain insight into your vocation and help us match you with compatible religious organizations.  Visit www.vocationmatch.com

 


Adopt -A-Priest

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Pin Program

Click for more details



 



 

'God is Love - Deus Caritas Est.'



Pope Benedict's Message for the 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Click on image above to print prayer card
 

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

DIOCESE OF JOLIET

 

Gracious and loving God, help the
men and women of our parishes to hear the
call to serve in the Diocese of Joliet.

Our needs are great and our people
thirst for your presence.

Open the hearts of many.  Raise up
faithful servants of the Gospel - dedicated,
holy priests, sisters, brothers and deacons,
who will spend themselves for your people and their needs.

Bless all of our married couples with a rich faith and children that desire to serve you.

Bless those who are serving now
with courage and perseverance.
Grant that many will be inspired by their
example and faith.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

 

Prayer For Vocations

 

 Gracious and loving God, help the
men and women of our parish to hear the
call to serve in the Diocese of Joliet.

Our needs are great and our people
thirst for your presence.

Open the hearts of many.  Raise up
faithful servants of the Gospel - dedicated,
holy priests, sisters, brothers and deacons,
who will spend themselves for your people and their needs.

Bless all of our married couples with a rich faith and children that desire to serve you.

Bless those who are serving now
with courage and perseverance.
Grant that many will be inspired by their
example and faith.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.



 


 

Serra's objectives are to foster and promote vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life, and to encourage its members to fulfill their own Christian vocations of service.
Encouraging and affirming vocations to the priesthood and religious life through
prayer and active fellowship since 1958.

For more information on Serra Club of DuPage please go to the link below:

 http://www.serradupage.org/

 


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Copyright: 2012 by Joliet Diocese Vocation Office
 Fr. Burke Masters, Director of Vocation Promotion