The Diocese of Camden’s Office of Vocations has cast its net into the internet, searching for fishers of men to follow God’s call with a mouse click. Www.camdenpriest.org will serve as a new resource for discerning young men thinking about the priesthood in the Diocese of Camden.
“Discerning a vocation can be intimidating” for men not ready to speak with a priest, parent or other authority figure, said Father Michael Romano, director of Vocations in the Diocese of Camden.
“The website is a way for young men to seek anonymously, get information on discernment, learn about seminary and priesthood life, see the seminarians and read their stories” in the hope that they “feel more comfortable and take the next step,” he said, and call his office or talk to their parents or parish priest.
The site includes profiles of each of the diocese’s current seminarians with photos, background information and their own explanation of their vocation call.
The website cannot, and is not meant to, replace spiritual direction in a man’s life – but it explains what spiritual direction is, and how to decide upon a spiritual director.
The site offers both general and practical information, from offering guidance on prayer to explaining celibacy to listing the requirements to enter a seminary. There is even a 20 question discernment test that, while not meant to be definitive, can help a man gauge his readiness for the seminary.
Want to know what a priest typically does between 4-7 p.m.? The section on Frequently Asked Questions includes a description of a priest’s typical day, as well as answers such basic questions as “Are priests happy?” and explains the difference between a diocesan and religious order priest.
Even Catholics not discerning a religious vocation will find the site worth a look, both for the light it sheds on the priesthood and the faith in general. WWW.camdenpriest.org includes web links to other Catholic sites and suggested book lists on several themes, from discernment to Classic Catholic Fiction.
Www.camdenpriest.org, developed with the help of Solutio Software, a Catholic website design organization, will also include a blog, resources for parents, and information on the office’s upcoming events, such as the monthly Holy Hours and April’s iRace for Vocations.
“This is an important priority of Bishop Sullivan’s,” to gather young men into the priesthood, hearing God’s call and following him, said Father Romano.
Young men interested in the priesthood, can go to www.camdenpriest.org, or call the Office of Vocations at 856-583-2858.
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