Earlier this month, joy filled the auditorium as Father Timothy Mulranen, Class of 2017, celebrated a Mass for Vocations at his alma mater, Paul VI High School.
In his homily, which was both inspiring and humorous, Father Mulranen recounted how he felt the call to the priesthood during his high school years. After Mass, he walked through the halls and was greeted with smiles from teachers, students and staff. I was honored to concelebrate the Mass, along with Father Stephen Robbins, who is on the diocesan vocations team, and Father Philip Ramos, AM, the school’s director of Catholic Identity. Witnessing this celebration led me to reflect on how my own Catholic education shaped my journey and discernment.
My journey started at Saint Ann Regional School and eventually Cape Trinity Catholic, both in Wildwood. Throughout my grade school years, teachers taught me the importance of faith and the importance of being a disciple of Jesus. In eighth grade, however, something changed. My faith was no longer mere ideas or moral practices; rather, it became the core and lens through which I see my life.
While preparing for confirmation, I remember my religion teacher, Mrs. Mary Van de Vaarst (Mrs. Van), instructing us on vocations, our calling in life to serve God. While discussing each vocation, the priesthood captured my mind. I loved how the priest was involved in every aspect of life through his celebration of the sacraments, preaching, and priestly presence in the community. Despite this fascination, I kept it to myself out of fear of embarrassment and possible ridicule.
Continuing my Catholic education, I begin my freshman year at Wildwood Catholic High School (now Academy). I finished my freshman year like any other freshman – except I secretly carried the thought of being a priest in my heart.
While at a summer event for Wildwood Catholic, my pastor and school president, Father Joseph Wallace, asked if we could speak privately. He asked, “Have you ever thought about the priesthood?”
Shocked, anxious, speechless. These are the words I use to describe my state of mind after hearing that question. I simply answered, “Sometimes.” This answer changed the projection of my discernment, which would eventually result in me entering seminary in the fall of 2017.
I often wondered how Father Wallace knew I was thinking of the priesthood. Years later, I would come to find out that several teachers had mentioned my name to him! They saw in me the qualities they would want to see in their priest.
Two teachers in particular encouraged me to consider the priesthood – Ms. Mary Kane (may she rest in peace) and Mrs. Carolyn Miller, who were Wildwood Catholic’s academic dean and administrative dean, respectively, at the time. Both offered prayers on my behalf, and supported me as I made my final decision to enter the priesthood. These two superb educators challenged me to be a better student, a better person, and most importantly, to be a better disciple by encouraging me not to be afraid of this calling the Lord placed in my heart.
As I reflect on how my Catholic education influenced my discernment, I see how the Lord used that time to prepare me to be the priest I am today. I often say I discerned without telling anyone, which is true, but the gifts God gave me were recognized by others, too. My 13 years of Catholic education helped me discover that I had a vocation, with the help of Mrs. Van’s eighth-grade lesson. The encouragement of Father Wallace, Ms. Kane, and Mrs. Miller helped me discern my vocation.
Vocations are planted in the hearts of all baptized into Christ. He has never stopped calling young men to the priesthood. Catholic schools provide the environment to help young men discover and discern a possible priestly vocation. Teachers generally try to recognize their students’ gifts and talents to prepare them for college, but in Catholic schools, teachers are encouraged to recognize their students’ gifts and talents to prepare them to embrace the vocation planted by the Lord in their hearts!
The Holy Spirit breathes life into our schools and moves the school community to help prepare students not just for college, but a life in service to the Lord. Together, let us pray for our Catholic school communities, that they may continue to teach the faith and recognize the gifts and talents the Lord has given our students so they may embrace whatever vocation God is calling them to in this life.
Father Thomas Piro is parochial vicar at Saint Bridget University Parish, Glassboro, and an associate director of vocations for the Diocese of Camden.
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