Summer 2009

As most of you know, I'm scheduled to head to Bolivia for the next phase of ministry in the Congregation. By now (hopefully), the new Vocation Director has been announced, and with it, a new phase in Vocation Ministry begins.

Where we are...

The ministry is strong and well-resourced. Our websites in English and Spanish are still developing, but are in great shape. We have begun “resource blogs” in both languages, have a “Facebook” presence, and there are invitations to consider a Vincentian vocation on almost every website in the province. We have a great DVD with an accompanying strategy for use. the office is well-organized, vocation materials are available, and all of the materials for evaluating candidates are up to date, digitalized, and easily employed. St. John's marketing department is at our service for the future.

The confreres are ready-willing-and-able. After visiting with almost all of the houses in the province (with apologies to those I was not able to visit) I can say that our province is ready to receive and accompany vocations. The men are open and willing. Our community life and our prayer life is strong and attractive to the young.

Young men are inquiring. Currently, there are nine at various stages of discernment.

New horizons are opening. With the opening of our college residence, we have begun to re-kindle efforts in vocation promotion for late high school and college inquirers. Our latino discernment residence carefully screens and prepares candidates under the able leadership of Bishop Cabezas and Fr. Patrick Flanagan. Some consolidation of processes is envisioned and will be helpful. Since there is not yet a need for a fully developed residential discernment program for other ethnic groups, we are experimenting with the possibility of short-term residential experiences for individual men in some of our community houses.

Where we might go...

I am more and more convinced that vocational promotion is a ministry of accompaniment best accomplished on the local scene. Each confrere is a key player. Please continue to become experts in teaching prayer to the young. Their ability to pray and pray deeply is their greatest tool of discernment. It is truly Christ who invites them and leads them in their process.

In each house, please discuss who might best serve as a “Discernment coordinator” and send [e-mail] the name of your choice to vincentian Vocations. My successor will count on your ministry.

Some thank yous...

To all of you for your support and work. To Tom McKenna, Mike Carroll and their councils. To the members of the Formation Commission and the Latino Discernment Group. To our campus ministries and the staff and administration at Niagara and St. John's -- especially Sheryll Durant in marketing and Liz Corr in campus ministry. To John Buckley and Carmen Ciardullo, who send out the word about vocations and formation. To our “top” vocation promoters: our seminarians. To Bishop Alfonso and to Pat Flanagan, who guide the men so well. To Tom Krafinski and John Maher, who accompany individual candidates. To Dr. Phil Miraglia, who provides such key insight. To Sally Argentieri in the Vocation Office and Judy Smith at St. Joseph's Seminary. I'm sure there are more I should have mentioned. I have been blessed by your collaboration and friendship.

Aidan Rooney, C.M., Vincentian