Parish hosts vocation panel

Photo by Peter G. Sánchez

Sister Elizabeth Halaj, LSIC, holds up the Facebook logo, letting youth know that Jesus is in her social network, during Holy Eucharist’s Vocation Panel on March 1, as Sister Ann Byrnes, RSM looks on.

St. Thomas More Parish, Cherry Hill, hosted a “Vocation Panel” on Tuesday March 1.

The Vocation Panel was one of the steps the parish adapted in its efforts to promote priestly and religious vocations.

Seminarian Kevin Mohan opened the gathering leading everyone in singing the “Servant Song.” Students and teachers in grades 5 through 8 in the Religious Education Program attended the panel along with members of the Parish’s Youth Ministry Program.

The panel consisted of Father Michael Romano, parochial vicar at Incarnation Parish, Mantua; Seminarian Kevin Mohan, St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral, Camden; Sister Anne Kapler, RSM Merion,Pa.; Sister Elizabeth Halaj, LSIC , Cherry Hill; and Deacon Anthony Maletesta, Holy Eucharist Parish, Cherry Hill.

The gathering began with panelists sharing about the vows, their own vocational call, their formation process, and the various ways they minister in parish, school, and community.

Students submitted questions for each panelist and Jake Casey and Julianna Fabricus, eighth grade students in the Religious Education Program, asked the questions of the panelists.

Sister Ann Byrnes,RSM, pastoral associate, ended the evening with a visual prayer reflection depicting various Church Vocations.

Devon Sheehan, fifth grade student, said, “I really liked Father Mike, he was very clear about the responsibilities of a priest.”.

James McFadden, grade seven said, “It was good to hear from a Religious, priest and a deacon from other parishes.”

“I never knew that Sisters took vows and it was interesting to hear about the training that a priest and deacon experience,” said Jonathan Cole, grade seven.