In 1999, one year after ordination to the diocesan priesthood, I was asked to co-direct the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Vancouver; almost 25 years later I am asked to be the Vocations Director again!
It is amazing to notice how much the work of promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life while working with seminarians has changed over the years. Back in the previous century, we had quite a number of seminarians discerning their vocation – between 25 and 28 seminarians from Philosophy to Theology studies at one time.
Today, we have 14 seminarians in total. This diminishing number over the years has also been reflective in the shortage of priests we currently have serving parishes and meeting all kinds of pastoral needs.
Despite this dearth, I have noticed several areas of the work that could be considered an improvement or even a needed change. While seminary formation might extend a little longer than previous generations of seminarians, the newer “Spirituality Year” is trying to catch areas of needed development early on as the men transition into the new and welcome lifestyle of the seminary from the darker secular society they have freely chosen to leave.
At the other end of formation, transitional deacons are also given more time to develop their skillset as they take on more responsibilities in preparation for the priesthood.
Moreover, the Vocations Office now takes on a team approach, with four priests doing its work in a part-time mode rather than hiring a full-time director. Even though we all have parish assignments, this new leadership style allows us to divide the workload so that we can support one another without feeling overwhelmed or alone.
My focus of work is as director of seminarians and lead administrator of the Vocations Office at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre. Father Mark McGuckin is assistant director, working with inquirers discerning a potential call to the priesthood and helping with applications to the seminary. Father Juan Lucca and Father Raffaele Salvino are focusing on outreach to help engage the culture of the young to truly be open to the Lord’s call amidst the noisy world we inhabit. This good work is all rounded out by Palmira Braganza, who as part-time office assistant helps to organize and keep us all on task.
Even though many things have changed over the years, promoting and sustaining the work of vocations to the priesthood and religious life has always been a team effort in the Church. God has not stopped calling young men and women to their vocations; we simply need to amplify the call so that they may better respond!
We thank you, the benefactors of the St. John Vianney Fund, for your support and prayers over the years.
Father James Hughes
Director of Vocations and Seminarians
Vocationsvancouver.ca
