A day in the park to promote vocations

SEWELL — On a sun-filled, cloudless day, faithful of all ages filled Washington Lake Park here last Sunday for the fifth annual iRace 4 Vocations.

Held on the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the festive event brought together families, students and athletes, clergy, religious and seminarians to promote vocations to the priesthood, religious life, sacred married life and sacred single life.

The day began with a 1 p.m. Mass in the park’s amphitheater, with Bishop Dennis Sullivan as the main celebrant.

Bishop Sullivan called on all to pray for more men to hear the call to be “shepherds” like Jesus and lead the flock of faithful.

“We are in a wolves’ world, and we need Jesus to shepherd us,” he said. “We must encourage vocations and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd,” he urged.

After the liturgy, participants took part in the 5K run/1.3 mile walk. They sated their hunger and thirst in the hot sun after the race with water, hoagies, fruit and soft pretzels.

“We need to show our support,” said Brett Young, head baseball coach at Paul VI High School, Haddon Township. He was there with the school’s entire baseball program: 49 men dressed in their Eagles uniforms, united for vocations. Some were walking, and some were running the 5K.

“It’s a good time,” added Richie D’Andrea, junior shortstop and pitcher.

Young added that the school is going to “make the iRace a tradition.”

Fran and Bill Watson, from Haddon Heights, took in the Mass from their lawn chairs, as their five children, 7-year-old Owen, 5-year-old Noah, 2-year-old Anna, and nine-month old twins Joseph and Grace, lay on a beach blanket, or were protected from the sun in a stroller. It is the family’s second time at the event.

“We love it. It’s a wonderful event for families,” Fran said.

In addition to being a nice day for their children to play, enjoy the sunshine, meet Woody from “Toy Story,” or Elmo of “Sesame Street”, or get their face painted, Fran and Bill also saw the day as an important teaching opportunity.

“Our kids asked why we were coming here today, and we explained to them that God is calling people to be priests and nuns, and live other religious lives,” Fran said.

“We want people to say yes when God asks them,” she added.