Support
New Vocation Efforts in Chicago
Chicago
Tradition
In Chicago, we have
a history of priests who have championed the
rights of workers, stood up for civil rights,
have preached the good news of Christ tirelessly,
celebrated the sacraments, defended dignity
of life, fed the hungry, comforted the sick,
and visited the dying. They have served our
parishes in the many neighborhoods of Chicago
and suburbs. The need for priests in Chicago
continues. The need to serve the individuals
and families in our parishes continues: baptisms,
weddings, Sunday mass, first communion, reconciliation,
funerals.
The history of men entering
the priesthood in Chicago is rich with memories
of family members, priests, and especially
religious sisters encouraging young men to
enter the seminary. Chicago had a flourishing
vocation system which started in grammar school
with some men being encouraged to enter Quigley
High School Seminary, then on to Niles College
(college level seminary), and finally to Mundelein
Seminary. It is certainly not uncommon to
encounter many alumni of the Chicago Seminary
System. Many of our priests are alumni of
the system, and certainly many leaders in
Chicago; businessmen, politicians, and civil
leaders at one point received part of their
education in the Chicago Seminary system.
A
New Tradition
With a cultural shift in recent decades, men
are making a decision to consider priesthood
at a later age. In keeping with the times,
the Vocation Office has established new ways
to reach more men and help them gain clarity
– whether to become a priest or to serve
the church in other ways. Programs such as
Totus Tuus (www.totustuuschicago.com)
and INSEARCH are showing results. These programs
work because they meet the new generation
(often young professionals) on their terms,
inspire them to help others and answer the
questions today’s men have about their
faith and the priesthood. During 2010, a doctor,
a civil engineer, IT and business professionals
as well as recent college graduates have entered
the seminary. Read some of our seminarian
profiles at: www.chicagopriest.com/seminarian.htm
Combined
Effort
These programs are the future of vocations.
We want to thank all those who joined Cardinal
George for luncheon on April 14th and helped
us raise money necessary to keep expanding
these programs. Cardinal George appreciated
your support and the opportunity to engage
in dialogue with you and others committed
to supporting vocations.
If you were not able to attend the April 14th
luncheon, but would like to support these
programs with a gift of any size, please mail
your gift to the address below.
If you are interested
in providing financial assistance for other
vocation efforts, please download our wish
list and see all the ways you can help. All
contributions should be made payable to the
Archdiocese of Chicago and send it to:
Rev. Brian Welter, Vocation Director
Archdiocese of Chicago
Quigley Pastoral Center
835 N. Rush Street
Chicago IL 60611
312-534-8298
E-Mail: bwelter@archchicago.org
Click on Vocation Office Wish List to see
the many
vocation efforts and the various levels of
support
