Whether in parish pews, school classrooms or the halls of seminaries, the impact of Bishop Dennis Sullivan’s commitment to vocations can be seen throughout the Diocese of Camden – and beyond.
“Bishop Sullivan has made vocations a top priority during his time as Bishop,” said Father Adam Cichoski, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden, and diocesan director of vocations.
As a priest who was ordained in 2017 by the Bishop, Father Cichoski has seen the time that Bishop Sullivan dedicates to each seminarian during formation – and how this commitment strengthens the Church in South Jersey.
“He has a love for the Diocese,” he said, “and wants to be a part of their formation so that the people of Camden will have the priests they need to serve them in the future.”
Hitting the ground running
Fifteen men have been ordained to the priesthood during Bishop Sullivan’s 12 years in the Diocese, and two more are scheduled to be ordained priests this May.
Father Michael Romano spent eight years serving as Bishop Sullivan’s priest secretary, and the former diocesan director of vocations is now the coordinator of admissions for the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He reflected on how quickly the Bishop began his work around vocations – and how he wanted his first meeting as Bishop to be about vocations with Father Romano.
“When Bishop Sullivan arrived in the Diocese, he intentionally waited until I was in the office before he had his first meeting,” Father Romano recalled. “He wanted that meeting to be with me as a sign of the importance he placed on promoting vocations to the diocesan priesthood.”
“Within his first year, he amplified the presence of priests in our diocesan high schools to try to promote vocations,” Father Romano continued, speaking of Directors of Catholic Identity. “He wrote a prayer for vocations for the people of the Diocese to recite, and he instituted an annual Sunday when the homily was to be about priestly vocations, encouraging each priest to share his personal vocation story with his parishioners.”
‘Always on the go’
Both Father Romano and Father Cichoski agreed that Bishop Sullivan has always been engaged in the Diocese – visiting parishes, schools and seminaries.
“He has a great love for the priesthood, and he works hard to be a good priest,” Father Cichoski said. “I think the first thing he does is set an example in the way he ministers to our Diocese, much like a parish priest. He is always on the go, always attending and celebrating liturgies where the people are. Whether it is an anniversary of a parish, a parish gathering, or a Farm Mass, Bishop Sullivan is present to the people of God.”
Bishop Sullivan has been just as engaged with seminarians – visiting them during their formation, inviting them for holiday gatherings and even fundraising in order to join them for World Youth Day in Poland in 2016. He often reviews each seminarian’s grades and evaluations, and spends time getting to know their families.
“Bishop Sullivan knows his seminarians, and I think that is the difference between him and so many other bishops,” Father Cichoski said. “His heart is definitely set on helping them be the best that they can be, and each of our seminarians knows of his support and encouragement. He is a good father to them.”
He has also maintained strong relationships with the two seminaries attended by Diocese of Camden seminarians – Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, and the College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Seton Hall University, South Orange.
“Bishop Sullivan is a man of action. How he speaks to the seminarians and cares about their lives tell us the ways in which he supports his seminarians,” said Father Peter Cho, rector of Saint Andrew’s.
‘Proud to be a Camden seminarian’
For seminarians of the Diocese of Camden, Bishop Sullivan has been a source of guidance, support and friendship – as well as a role model.
“Bishop Sullivan has been a wonderful spiritual father to all of his seminarians,” said Deacon Timothy Mulranen, who shared memories of joining the Bishop for prayer, meals and even games. “He loved spending time with us, and he always made an effort to form a personal relationship with each seminarian.”
Deacon Mulranen, who is set to be ordained to the priesthood in May, said that the Bishop has also led by example, and shared with seminarians the importance of building fraternity with brother priests, as well as maintaining a sense of humor and being balanced in one’s ministry – being “theologically disciplined” while caring for the pastoral needs of a parish community.
“He taught me that a priest is not just someone who ministers at the altar, but someone who exemplifies Christ, the Good Shepherd, to the flock of God by going out into the world,” he said. “He has supported my journey by always being present, as well as reaching out to see how I am doing in my journey. He always made me proud to be a Camden seminarian.”
Courage to discern ‘with an open heart’
Deacon Thomas Piro was confirmed by Bishop Sullivan and had the occasion to meet him while he was a student at Wildwood Catholic, when the then-sophomore provided the Bishop with a tour of the school. He recalled joking with the Bishop that he should revive a tradition of granting a holiday to students at the end of his visit. His principal intervened, but he would go on to make the same suggestion to the Bishop each time he visited.
“Bishop Sullivan finally granted my request during my senior year,” he shared. “This request eventually led to Bishop Sullivan nicknaming me ‘Day Off Piro’ – as he mentioned in his homily at my diaconate ordination!”
Today, Deacon Piro credits Bishop Sullivan for doing much more than granting a day off from school – encouraging his own vocation.
“During my high school years, Bishop Sullivan supported me to follow God’s plan and discern with an open heart,” said Deacon Piro, who is also to be ordained a priest this May. “During these past eight years of seminary formation, Bishop Sullivan has shown himself to be a father to me. He has supported and guided me through challenging times and always set an example of what it means to be a pastor.”
Even other seminarians have noted the Bishop’s engagement, he shared. “Seminarians from other dioceses are quick to note how personal Bishop Sullivan is with each of his men. Bishop truly shows his love for his seminarians by always praising us for our courage and boldness to follow Christ in today’s culture, with all its challenges.”
‘I felt at home’
Father Ricardo Lozano, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, Lindenwold, was ordained a priest in May 2024.
He came to the Diocese from Colombia, and recalls visiting the City of Camden and spending a week at Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral in 2017 – during which he met Bishop Sullivan and Father Romano.
“I felt at home when Bishop Sullivan spoke to me in fluent Spanish the very first time I met with him,” he said. “Since the time I arrived, his joyful and fervent spirit has nurtured in significant ways my desire to become a priest of Jesus Christ, especially through the life of prayer. I was truly fortunate to be ordained by a devoted man like Bishop Sullivan.”
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