PENNSAUKEN – The soaking rains didn’t dampen the spirits of 21-year-old Martin Deluhery as he finished his 5K run around Cooper River Park. Actually, he was thankful for the precipitation.
“Being cold is better than being really hot; it makes me run better,” he said, squinting as rain dripped from the ends of his hair into his eyes.
Deluhery joined 125 others the afternoon of April 30 at Jack Curtis Stadium for the annual iRace4Vocations 5K, which supports vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Camden.
Deluhery may have had a little extra motivation to take part in the day, as his older brother, Theodore, is a seminarian for the Diocese, currently in his third year at the College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Seton Hall University, South Orange.
“My brother inspires me through his spiritual journey,” Deluhery said. “He encourages me to be better, and it’s encouraging to see him go through [the discernment process]. It’s a good thing to show up for him today, and encourage others to consider their own vocation. I want him and other seminarians to know that I’m praying for them.”
After the 5K, runners and the cheering section alike made their way to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, where they were joined by hundreds of faithful for a Mass celebrated by Bishop Dennis Sullivan. Inclement weather led to the last-minute change in location for the Mass and following luncheon, though it didn’t prevent the faithful, concelebrating priests, deacons and religious from gathering to pray for vocations.
“I had fun and tried to run a really good race,” said Anthony Faust of Saint Peter Parish, Merchantville, who had the fastest time overall in the men’s category for the 5K and received an award during the luncheon.
“I heard about this [iRace4Vocations] through social media, and I thought it’d be good to support vocations,” the Holy Family University freshman continued, admitting that with his own vocation, he’s “still trying to figure it out, but I’m going to keep listening to what God wants me to do.”
The oldest runner, 81-year-old Lilia Santa Teresa from Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill, not only ran in support of religious vocations, but “to prove to myself that I can do it. I told myself, ‘God is with me.’”
“I want more young men to find their vocation and join the priesthood,” said Santa Teresa, whose nephew is Father Carlo Santa Teresa of Saint Joseph Parish, Somers Point.
At the luncheon and awards ceremony in Camden’s Cathedral Hall, Bishop Sullivan presented her with a medal for her persistence and support.
Also present at the luncheon and Mass: the Leason family from Saint Joachim Parish, Bellmawr, who wore shirts emblazoned with the logo of Saint Andrew’s Hall, where seminarian Michael Leason studies.
“We’re really proud to see Michael be so active [in the seminary] and going after something he’s so passionate about. When we see him serving [at Mass], we see this is what he’s meant to do,” said Leason’s father, Jeff.
Helen Polzer, attending the Mass and luncheon with Sean Farrell, has further seen the importance and sacrifices of priestly vocations after two years living and working throughout the Diocese. Both Polzer and Farrell are apprentices in the Echo Graduate Service Program, a service-learning opportunity based out of Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind.
“We live close to the priest retirement home in Cherry Hill, so we have gone over and met them and heard their stories,” Polzer said.
“It’s important to build awareness [for vocations], as a lot of young people don’t know it’s an option. The more one gets to see a priest, or exposed to religious, it’s easier to see that as a possibility,” she continued.
Agnieszka Maj, the business manager at Camden’s Cathedral, was motivated by similar thinking to bring her 5-year-old daughter, Nicole, to the Mass and luncheon to see not only familiar priests, but meet new and future ones.
“I wanted to show Nicole our faith; it’s vital for her to be raised in the Catholic Church, and support and pray for our priests, and vocations,” she said.
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