Vocations 1.11.13.pdf - Diocese of Pittsburgh

12 ocation_ad_ Vocations 2013_Layout | Pittsburgh 1 1/3/2013 Catholic 2:24 PM Page 1Friday, January 11, 2013“Do not be afraid of the call of Christ! Do notbe afraid to follow him! He takes nothingaway, and he gives you everything.”Pope Benedict XVICould Christ be Calling You?For more information or help with your discernment please visitwww.pghpriest.com or contact Fr. Joe Freedy,vocation director jfreedy@diopitt.org, 412-456-3123.Vocations2013Please ask our Lordfor more dedicated,holy priests, deaconsand consecratedmen and women.May they be inspiredby Jesus Christ,supported by ourfaith community, andrespond generouslyto God’s gift ofa vocation.Saint Paul SeminaryOffice for Priestly Vocations 2900 Noblestown Road Pittsburgh, PA 15205Supplement to thePittsburgh Catholicfor Friday, January 11, 2013

10 vocations | Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, January 11, 2013Friday, January 11, 2013 Pittsburgh Catholic | vocations 3African nun studying at Duquesne lives her life spreading GospelBy PHIL TAYLORAssociate EditorPittsburgh geographically is a long distancefrom the Serengeti, Mara, region ofthe East African country of Tanzania, butfor Immaculate Heart Sister of Africa AgnesAfricanus for the last five months it hasbeen home.She says her community has a specialcharism, particularly in relation to the Africanpeople.“The Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africahave consecrated themselves in a specialway to the Immaculate Heart of Mary byfollowing her example,” she said. “Hence,we live the family life like the Holy Familyof Nazareth that starts and grows in oursmall family communities in which we live,and extend the same family and Christ’slove to embrace all people that we serve.“We foster the conversion of each member’scommunity and the conversion of thepeople of the continent Africa, as a missionarycommunity striving to be witnessesof Christ by our life.”Sister Agnes currently is enrolled in thegraduate School of Education at DuquesneUniversity pursuing a doctorate in educationalleadership. She has been in theUnited States for six years and previouslyearned bachelor’s and master’s degreesin accounting and international businessfrom D’Youville College in Buffalo, N.Y.Sister is from a family of nine, and isthe second born and the first among girlsin her family. Both of her parents still areliving, and she also has a younger brotherwho is a priest.“First of all, I was born and grew upin a very devoted Catholic family,” shesaid. “Both of my parents and grandparentswere good, practicing Catholics. Mydad volunteered to teach catechumensto people who wanted to be initiated intothe Catholic Church. I learned prayersPhoto by Chuck AustinSister Agnes Africanus, originally from Tanzania, is working on adoctorate degree at Duquesne University.and catechism for children by heart frommy brother before I started my primaryschool.”And although her family had close ties tothe church, she said it was not easy initiallyto ask her father for permission to join religiouslife. She was overjoyed with his responseeven though it was contrary to theirethnic culture and tradition where girls arenot given the freedom to chose what theySISTERS OF THEDIVINE REDEEMER100 Years in AmericaCame to McKeesport from HungaryCelebrate with Us . . .Share a Memory . . .srjoannetsdr@comcast.net412-751-8600want to do in life. In making the decision,she said he had to endure hardship, criticismand even isolation from some familymembers.“People stopped mocking my parentswhen my younger brother decided to goto the seminary and later became a priest,”she said. “Those who objected us sostrongly are the ones who are encouragingus now so strongly.”She still has strong feeling about howgirls in her native country were denied certainfreedoms when she was growing up.“In my home village, I saw many girlswho completed primary schools before me,and many of them were forced to marriageat a very young age — not of their own will,”she said. “Some of them underwent severepunishment because they denied marriagein order to seek education. I wanted to joinreligious life to devote my life to the servemany marginalized children mostly girlswho’s voices were not heard.“I knew that it is education that couldchange the institution system. I felt to bethe luckiest girl from my ethnic tribe tohave freedom, the freedom that many girlsin Mara region do not have until now. I realizedthat I had freedom because my dadhad a high school education, although hedropped out of school before his graduation.”Although she currently is not involvedlocally in any ministry because of her doctoralstudies and is in the country on a studentvisa, she recalled fondly her formerministries abroad.“After my first profession, I was assignedto work in one of Tanzania’s dioceses,Shinyanga,” she said. “I worked inthe parish called Mwamapalala doing differentwork, teaching religious education.”She said during that time she learnedKisukuma, the local language in the area.Traveling by bicycle she said, “I wentover five kilometers to the neighboringschools to provide religious education tostudents. In the evening, I visited smallChristian communities prayed with communities,and I had domestic classes withwomen. I worked in Shinyanga for threeyears.”In 1989, Sister Agnes said her communitygave her the opportunity for a secondaryeducation, and following graduation shewas assigned to the newly formed GeitaDiocese.“The new diocese had a lot of constructionactivities, so the bishop asked my superiorgeneral to assign one sister to be thein charge of procurement, store keepingand nursery trees project,” she explained.In 1993/1994, her community in collaborationwith the bishop, provided her theopportunity for a one-year course in accountingand materials management at St.Augustine University of Tanzania.“After graduation, I had my perpetualvows in 1994,” she said. “My superior generalwanted me to go back to St. Augustinefor three years study in accounting, but thebishop wanted me to work for two yearsbefore I went back to college. I went back toGeita Diocese. I worked for two years, andafter our general chapter in 1996, instead ofgoing to college, I had a new assignment asthe treasurer general for my home Diocese,Musoma.“I travelled to different locations of thediocese and out of the diocese for workissues. I was responsible for all diocesanfinancial activities, projects, to financialbooks and information, reports, diocesanassets, and a secretary for diocesan subcommittees.”She said that following nearly 10 yearsof hard work in the Musoma Diocese, hercommunity had a scholarship from D’Youville College for two sisters for under-See Sr. Agnes, Page 11Mercy sister has foundfulfillment in ministryin service to othersShe has headed thePittsburgh Mercy HealthSystem for five yearsBy PATRICIA BARTOSCorrespondentWhen talking about her vocation to religiouslife, Sister Susan Welsh points to thefourth vow taken by all Mercy sisters — thatof service.“In addition to the vows of poverty, chastityand obedience, we have the vow of service,”she said of the idea that encompassesher 48-plus years in the order and explainswhy she has loved every ministry she filledduring those decades.“I’ve always seen ‘service’ as importantthrough all of life,” she said. “It’s a very, veryhumbling experience, it’s certainly been forme in ministry.”Sister Susan has headed the PittsburghMercy Health System for five years, overseeingthe region’s largest health and socialservice non-profit organization.Earlier she had served as treasurer andchief financial officer for the Mercy orderfor 30 years and as vice president of the• Have public recitation of the diocesanvocation prayer at Masses on Sunday andthe daily Masses.• Provide eucharistic adoration on certaindays, asking for prayers for vocations.• Send greeting cards to each of the seminariansof your diocese at the beginningof a new semester, holidays, exam times,birthdays, ordinations, etc.• Sponsor poster/coloring/essay contestswith vocation related themes and exhibitthe results.• Encourage interviews of pastors,priests, sisters, brothers and deacons forthe school newspaper or parish bulletin,especially on how they discerned their call.• Create a page on your parish/schoolweb site with vocation information.• Host an Altar Server AppreciationNight and ask one of the priests to speak tocommunity for eight years.The native of St. Elizabeth in PleasantHills entered after high school and completedstudies at Carlow University andearned a master’s degree in education fromDuquesne University, before teaching at St.Peter School on Pittsburgh’s North Side andat Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Monroeville.“The sisters place great value on educationand I loved teaching,” she said. Shedescribed herself as “quite desolate” whenshe learned the academy was closing — andsurprised to learn her new assignment wasas treasurer for the order.This led her to Robert Morris University,where she earned a master’s in business administrationto ground her in her new role.“I loved the idea that in religious communitywhere you have a vow of povertyand share everything in common, it’s niceto have someone in charge of finances, inservice to the sisters. That part appealed tome.”In 2007, the Mercy leadership consolidated25 communities of sisters in Pittsburgh,Erie, Buffalo, Rochester and the Philippinesto form the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.Sister Susan’s position was eliminatedand she had no immediate plans other thanthe servers.• Before a regular meeting, have yourministry or group get together a little earlierto say a decade of the rosary together for aspecific priest or seminarian.• Create a collage of photos of priests,brothers and sisters who have been part ofyour community.• Include Vocations Awareness lessonplans and programs at each grade level ofreligious education. Each grade can do aspecial project and the reports can be combinedinto a resource booklet.• Have the vocation prayer printed on refrigeratormagnets and distribute.• Find out the ordination date of yourparish priests and celebrate within the parishand school.• Promote the lives of saints in variousways, e.g. in the bulletin, on the bulletinPhoto by Don Scandinaro Photography forPittsburgh Mercy Health SystemMercy Sister Susan Welshto begin cleaning out her papers after decadesas treasurer.At the same time, the Mercy sisters soldMercy Hospital to UPMC. While the hospitalitself was sold, “we were still goingto have all these other ministries affiliatedwith Mercy that were going to continue,”she said.In yet another surprise appointment, SisterSusan was named to oversee those ministries,gathered under the title of PittsburghMercy Health System.board, on posters, in a bibliography, etc.• Take a group from your parish or schoolIs God calling?Perhaps we’re the answer…transforming the heart through classical monasc life.“After I picked myself up from the floor, Ibegan doing what needed to be done,” shesaid. “I’ve been fortunate to work with wonderful,wonderful people who have helpedme, people who have been part of the MercyHealth System for many years. It’s a verywell-respected entity in the area,” she saidof the health system.Part of her work involves “telling our story”and trying to overcome confusion aboutthe new system -- which does not includeMercy Hospital.Pittsburgh Mercy Health System includes1,700 employees staffing health andsocial service programs which reach morethan 26,000 people each year.The system includes A Child’s Place atMercy, McAuley Ministries, Mercy BehavioralHealth, Mercy Community Health,Mercy Intellectual Disabilities Services,Mercy Parish Nurse and Health MinistryProgram, Operation Safety Net, PittsburghMercy Health System Development andPittsburgh Mercy Family Health Center.Services are provided to 26,000 people annuallyin more than 60 locations in AlleghenyCounty.Sister Susan entered religious life at avery young age, and recalls, “I look backon how highly I valued that concept of a‘call’ to follow God. I saw it as a call, but inthe very beginning I thought that maybe insix months or so God would say, ‘This is notright for you, get on with your life.’”That message never came and “over theyears it just became truly a very special lifethat I grew comfortable with,” she said.“After 48-plus years I see how my life hasevolved. I have loved every single thingI did. I loved teaching kids, I loved beingin financial ministry and I love the job Ihave now.”Ways to promote vocations in your parish or schoolto attend the ordination of a diocesan priestSee Promote, Page 5Benedicne Nuns of St. Emma Monastery1001 Harvey Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601www.stemma.org + 7248343060

4 vocations | Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, January 11, 2013Priest happy learning the daily duties of parish lifeBy Chuck MoodyAssociate EditorFather Chris Donley first thoughtabout becoming a priest in eighth grade.“While I knew that God was calling meto a life of service in a particular way, Iwas not quite sure in what way that wasat that time,” said Father Donley, a parochialvicar at St. Sebastian Parish inRoss Township. “As I went through highschool and college, I continued to lookfor ways that God might have been callingme to live my vocation. I have to admitthat for a long while, I thought Godwas calling me to the married life.”Father Donley worked at CatholicCharities in Downtown Pittsburgh fora few years after college, “All the whilecontinuing to try and find God’s plan forme.”“I thank God eachday for giving me thisamazing vocation tothe priesthood of JesusChrist.”“And even though I did not always stayas close to the sacraments as I shouldhave, and did not always make the rightdecisions in my life, God continued tobless me with opportunities to discovermy vocation to the priesthood,” he said.“While the full story is obviously muchmore detailed, one day I was given theamazing grace of realizing that Godmight be calling me, in a real way, to thepriesthood. So, I stopped seeing this girlI was dating, and started talking with thePhoto by Chuck AustinFather Donley is currently serving as a parochial vicar at St. SebastianParish in Ross Township.church more, trying to discover whetheror not God was calling me to the priesthood.”After about a year of discernment, andups and downs, trying to find God’s planfor him, Father Donley entered St. PaulSeminary in Crafton....an international Congregationin a multicultural worldImpelled by the love of Christ,the Sisters of Charity of Nazarethwork for justice, work with the oppressed,especially the poor and women,and believe in caring for the earth.To learn more about our beliefs and our ministries, visitscnfamily.org or contact Vocation Director Nancy Gerth, SCN,502.331.4516 or snancy@scnazarethky.org.“It was in the seminary that I was ableto truly discern God’s call for me, andat the same time the church was able todiscern whether or not she thought I wascalled as well,” he said. “In the end, Godcontinued to lead me along the pathwayto the priesthood, and, praise God, I wasordained in July 2011.”Father Donley’s job at Catholic Charitiesinitially was a caseworker for the informationand referral department, andhe later become the coordinator for thedepartment. He majored in history andminored in theology while in college.“I was planning on working at CatholicCharities, finding a wife and raising afamily here in Pittsburgh before I heardthe call to the priesthood,” Father Donleysaid.Many priests helped to influence hisdecision to enter the seminary, he said.“I was blessed growing up to be surroundedwith a few really solid, faithfulpriests in my life, and as I grew older, Igot to know quite a few amazing priests,”Father Donley said. “We are blessedin the Diocese of Pittsburgh to have somany wonderful priests who have heardand answered the call to lay down theirlives for the people of this diocese. I wasalso fortunate enough to have a cousingoing through the seminary while I washaving the same thoughts.”Father Donley’s family also was a hugeinfluence on his decision to enter theseminary.“From my grandparents to my parents,to my siblings, aunts, uncles andcousins, I was, and am, blessed to havesuch a wonderful, faithful family whohas supported and helped foster my vocation,and many others,” he said.After he was ordained, Father Donleyserved as parochial vicar, pro-tem, atSt. Charles Lwanga in Pittsburgh’s EastEnd. After a few months, he returnedto Rome to finish his studies at the PontificalNorth American College. Uponreturning to the diocese, Father Donelywas assigned to St. Sebastian.“While there are many aspects of thepriesthood that I could discuss in termsof being the most rewarding, I wouldhave to say that the celebration of the Eucharistwould be on the top of the list,”he said. “Being able to offer Mass dailyfor the parishioners, standing in theplace of Christ at the altar of sacrifice,is something that is very difficult to putinto words. God is good, and the priesthood,in its sacrifices, joys, sufferingsand miracles, is a life that I would nottrade for anything. I thank God each dayfor giving me this amazing vocation tothe priesthood of Jesus Christ.“I am also having a wonderful experiencein the parish life, coaching our CYMbasketball team, offering spiritual directionfor parishioners, living amongstother priests, and learning the day in, dayout duties of the parish priest. I couldn’tbe happier that God has called me to thepriesthood here in Pittsburgh, and that Iwas given the continual graces possibleto hear and answer that call.”What advice does Father Donley havefor a man who is considering the priesthood?“Pray, talk to your family, talk to apriest, talk to some close friends,” hesaid. “Above all, talk to God, and do notbe afraid to offer your life to God in whateverway he might be asking you to. Godis good and will lead you, if you stop, listento him, and trust in him, to love andhappiness, your true vocation in life. Donot be afraid to sacrifice for others, thereis no greater reward.”Friday, January 11, 2013 Pittsburgh Catholic | vocations 9The seedbed of my vocation: One sister’s storyBy SISTER MARY JOANNARUHLANDA family takes time to pray the rosary. Never underestimate theimportance of prayer.The formation of every human personbegins in a family, whatever its conditionmay be — healthy, religious, irreligious,broken or divorced. Held in the tenderloving care of our God, the family prepares,according to its state and condition,every child to know, love and serveGod. Every family provides childrenwith the place for natural maturation —physically, psychologically, spiritually —to receive and respond to a call from Godto a vocation to the priesthood or consecratedlife.Allow me to share with you ways thatmy family became the “seedbed” for myvocation as a religious sister:Marital love becomes familial and filiallove. The love my father and mother hadfor each other, and for God, told me volumesabout God’s love. It is faith in Godthat brought my parents through maritaldifficulties, deaths in the family, and othertrials and joys of life. Through prayer,their relationship with God nourishedqualities of healthy, holy relationships:courage in speaking the truth in love, patiencein weaknesses, forgiveness afterhurtful words and pardon sought.Our familial relationship with Godwas nourished (communally and individually)through the sacraments. Thefamily is where I learned the love of God“made flesh” in our family, and this lovenourished my own love for God and thelove I have for the sisters in my religiouscommunity. In fact, as a religious sister,my love for God is expressed as being likethat of spousal love, eventually sealed inmy consecration to him as a religious sisterand profession of the vows of poverty,chastity and obedience.Hindsight is 20/20! Although I did notalways understand the importance ofprayer in our family, I sensed it. Kneelingafter supper around the dinner table topray the rosary during Lent, going to theStations of the Cross and the sacramentof penance, and Sunday Mass — despitemy young “groans” at the discipline to doso — opened my heart to my own personalrelationship with the Lord. As a youngadult in college, I realized the importanceof prayer and began to take responsibilityfor my own relationship with Godthrough prayer.Eating our meals together as a familytaught me the importance of being together,sharing the day’s blessings andchallenges. I remember the struggle weshared when the telephone began ringingmore frequently during supper. Itinterrupted our conversation and oftenseemed necessary to answer. We realizedthat many phone calls were not necessaryto answer immediately. Valuing ourtime together, we decided to turn off theringer during supper. I grew in respectfor my parents’ wisdom and their vigilanceover our family time together. Today,my religious community’s highestvalue is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,and we, too, must be vigilant in protectingit from interruption. The Mass is the“source and summit” of our life togetherand in service to others.Every Sunday after Mass, our familywould visit my widowed paternal grandmother.Visiting her taught me the valueof respect for authority, and this becamethe ground out of which I learned lovefor the superiors of our religious community.I understood more readily fromthis example of benevolence towardsthe sick and dying the representation ofGod’s love that authority ideally holds.Knowing the responsibility they bear, Iwas more quick to pray for them. Whenpersons in authority have no regard, respector love for God, their authority becomesexercising power for the sake ofcontrolling others to achieve their ownends. True authority is service for others.The compassion that our familyshowed to the poor, sick, and sufferingin our community taught me how to lovemy neighbor with generosity and tenderness.Children seem to have an innateability to give, and help those in need. CNS photoWhen nurtured, this desire becomes afruitful form of self-gift to God. The joy of helping those in need is recalled at momentswhen the self-gift requires a deepersacrifice. This is critical to understandand develop to maturity for any vocation.In fact, even after we have responded toa particular vocation of marriage, priesthoodor consecrated life, maturation inself-donation to God, and others for thesake of the kingdom, continues! Daily, inmy work and prayer, God gives me opportunitiesto deepen my love for himand for my neighbor.These are just a few simple ways I recognizehow my parents and family contributedto my religious vocation, and Icould not be more grateful for their patienceand love. May the Holy Family ofJesus, Mary and Joseph, guide all familiesand parents to respond to God’s willwith generous and willing hearts for loveof him!Mercy Sister Mary Joanna isassociate director, Secretariat ofClergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations,for the U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops.

8 vocations | Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, January 11, 2013Ceremony welcomes new Franciscan AssociatesBy NICK RODIThe Associates of the Sisters of St.Francis of the Providence of God heldtheir annual Commitment during a liturgyon Oct. 14, during which time theywelcomed new member, Michaele Fisher.The commitment was preceded by a retreatled by Sister Nancy Langhart. Thoseassociates unable to attend made theirCommitment privately.A retired school teacher who taughtin the Pittsburgh Public Schools for 35years, Michaele attended St. Regis Elementary,St. Paul Cathedral High Schooland Carlow College. She also obtainedher masters in education and reading/language arts from the University ofPittsburgh.An avid sports fan, she also enjoystravel. Michaele tells us that she is gladto have found a place for herself with thesisters and honored to become an associate.“I am very happy to have found theSisters of St. Francis of the Providence ofGod and all the wonderful friends I havemade at the convent.”Called to be H olyContact: Fr. Joe Freedy • Director of Vocations412-456-3000 x 3612 • jfreedy@diopitt.orgPhotos by Sister Althea Anne SpencerAssociates for 2012 pose for a photo in Mary Immaculate Chapel after the commitment ceremony. From leftare Sister Joanne Brazinski, general minister, Jan Chehovin, Michelle Sinclair, Mary Ann Garfold, MichaeleFisher, Rosemary Byrd, Kathy Antoniazzi, Chris Lapinski, Carol Stasik, Mary Ann Julkowski, Kathy Butler,Johannah Jones, Lori Vallarian, Pat Enscoe, Sister Barbara Zilch, Audrey Patterson and Father Frederick Cain,chaplain.Saint Vincent Seminary300 Fraser Purchase RoadLatrobe, PA 15650-2690724-532-6600http://www.saintvincentseminary.eduWho are the associates?Lay association with religious congregationshas spread like wildfire worldwideduring the past 35 years, but theconcept is not new. Recognizing theneeds of the 13th century, St. Francis begana lay movement to bring the Gospelto the people. These lay people could bethought of as the first Franciscan Associates.Today’s lay persons continue to becalled to share the Gospel with a worldin need of healing and peace. Associateshaving a vision and desire to embrace thevalues of Francis can do so while maintainingtheir individual lifestyles.Associates are ceremonially receivedand express a non-vowed commitment.Their names are on record. They receiveregular mailings and participate in congregationalevents. Thus, they have theopportunity to share actively and intentionallyin the mission and charism of thecongregation and thereby deepen theirown spiritual lives. The congregationalso benefits by extending its missionand charism to a wider arena than mightbe possible if limited to the ministry andpresence of its own vowed members.Being an associate means participatingin the formative experiences of the Franciscancongregation. Members sharetheir gifts through work, prayer and socialexperiences with the sisters as well asother associates. Members choose to beSister Barbara Zilch, associatedirector, welcomes MichaeleFisher to the Associate Programof the Sisters of St. Francis of theProvidence of God.involved through prayer, shared spirituality,volunteering, ministry, communitylife and any number of other activities.If you feel called to support and be supportedin prayer, to be a part of a faithsharing group, perhaps you are beingcalled to be an associate of the congregation.If you are interested in becoming anassociate, or in learning more about associates,please call Sister Barbara Zilch at412-885-7402.This article originally appeared in the Sistersof St. Francis of the Providence of God’sWhitehall Franciscan newsletter (Vol. 21,No. 4.).Friday, January 11, 2013 Pittsburgh Catholic | vocations 5Community engages lay woman in vocation ministryIn early 2010, the Sisters of DivineProvidence decided to try a new way toreach young women who might be interestedin religious life. They decidedto enter the world of social media. Theposition of vocation/social media outreachwas created and the search beganfor candidates with a passion for newmedia who were proficient with thetools and techniques of social media. Avery important aspect of the candidate’sprofile would be their knowledge ofthe Catholic Church and, in particular,vowed religious life.They were fortunate to find the perfectcombination in Rose Beauclair Radkowski.A native of Fargo, N.D., she is“Rose has broughtso much to thevocation office. Notonly her faith andunderstanding ofvowed life, but herenthusiasm andknowledge in the areaof social media hashelped us bridge thegap between thoseof us in a differentgeneration and thewomen who areseeking us.”— Sister Lisa PaffrathDivine Providence Sister Lisa Paffrath, left, and Rose Radkowski at thecomputer.a graduate of the University of NotreDame with a bachelor’s degree in liberalarts and a master’s degree in theology.She also holds a master of libraryand information science degree fromthe University of Pittsburgh. Her priorwork experience includes serving as thedirector of marketing and communicationsat St. John’s School of Theology/Seminary in Collegeville, Minn.Rose began working with Sister LisaPaffrath, vocation coordinator for thecommunity, to develop a strategic planfor both vocation efforts and social mediaoutreach. She steeped herself in thehistory of the Sisters of Divine Providence,reading everything availableMeet our sisters atwww.sosf.org and discovertheir diverse everyday livesof prayer, communityand ministry.VOCATION MINISTERSister Joselle Orlando315.634.7083, jorlando@sosf.orgabout the founding of the congregation.Rose is involved in many of the administrativetasks of the vocation office, coordinatingpresentations and meetings,ordering various items to be given awayat vocation fairs, recruiting sisters towitness or give vocation talks. Accordingto Sister Lisa, “Rose has brought somuch to the vocation office. Not only herfaith and understanding of vowed life,but her enthusiasm and knowledge inthe area of social media has helped usbridge the gap between those of us ina different generation and the womenwho are seeking us.”With Sister Lisa, Rose participatesin the Pittsburgh Religious VocationCouncil (PRVC), attending meetingsand working on collaborative projects.According to Sister Althea Spencer, aSister of St. Francis of the ProvidencepromoteContinued from Page 3or deacon. Check out the vocations calendarfor dates of upcoming ordinations.• Invite a priest, sister or deacon to supperto discuss vocations around the familydinner table.• Sponsor a Communion Breakfast witha vocation speaker.• Invite the director of vocations to theof God, who is also treasurer for thegroup, “Working with Rose has beenan absolute delight. She brings a loveand understanding of religious life toall our functions. Her gracious sharingof technological usage in marketing ofreligious life is a continued enlightenmentand encouragement to the membersof the PRVC. Rose’s involvement invocation ministry for religious life as alay woman in the church is a new, butgrowing trend.”Rose is responsible for employing socialmedia to raise awareness of the missionof the community and to encourageaudiences to use social media as a way toconnect with the sisters. She took overthe administration of the communityFacebook page, increasing the “Likes”by 48 percent in the past 16 months.“I’m pleased that the page has gottennew Likes,” says Rose. “And it’s evenbetter to see more engagement with ourposts. People like pictures of events andcelebrations, but they really respond torequests for prayers.” According to JeanDennison, executive director of the officeof mission advancement, “I don’tknow what I would do without Rose.She immediately knew what to do withour sadly neglected Facebook page. Sheposts daily and her posts are timely, interesting,and often pose questions thatengage our Facebook community. Weare pleased with the increase in trafficto the page.”While sisters and associates continueto pray for vocations and to refer womenwho have expressed an interest inreligious life, social media is becominganother way to introduce the missionof the community to a broader audience.Sister Mary Francis Fletcher,provincial director, says, “It is ourhope that, with Rose’s help, thisnew outreach will enable us to connectwith energetic, committedwomen who will join us in carrying outour mission.”parish for a weekend, for Masses andmeals with parish families.• Ask 31 parishioners to volunteer topray the rosary or attend Mass on one ofthe 31 days of the month for vocations onbehalf of your parish and committee.• Celebrate feasts of the saints, such asattending Mass on the feast of St. Thereseof Lisieux, patroness of missionaries andpatroness of many vocations.• Provide intercessory prayers for vocationsfor Prayer of the Faithful at Mass.

6 vocations | Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, January 11, 2013Deacon believes his ministry does not end at church altarFor him, the mostfulfilling role of a deaconis to be there for peoplein times of sickness,crisis and loneliness.By PAULA A. SMITHCorrespondentDeacon Michael Kelly, 57, of WilkinsTownship, considered a religious vocationto the diaconate for several years,but it wasn’t until Father Thomas Kredel,former pastor of St. Bernadette inMonroeville, spoke with him on EasterMonday in 1994, that he felt the “finger ofGod” touch his life.“It was a chill because I’d never spokento him about this,” the deacon said.He recalled the morning he and wife,Marty, were leaving church after a weekdayMass when Father Kredel mentionedthat a diaconate class was forming andhe had a vision that he would be a gooddeacon.“I called him my 2x4 of God right betweenthe eyes because he called my attentionto God,” Deacon Mike said.Father Kredel’s vision for him was becauseof how well he worked and was involvedin the parish.“He and his wife have put the Lord inthe proper perspective. They are very,very faithful and hardworking membersof St. Bernadette Parish in variousactivities, especially, CCD. When we goto heaven, God is hopefully going to sayto us, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’I knew he would make a good deaconfrom his commitment to parish lifeand ministry,” said Father Kredel. At the time, Deacon Mike was workingand helping his wife raise their fourchildren. They also cared for her motherwho had a broken a hip and was livingwith them for three years. After a summerof prayer, discussion and discernment,he applied to become a deacon.Marty was happy and supportive withher husband’s decision.“I knew he had been called to do this.Photo by Chuck AustinDeacon Mike Kelly is described as being passionate about the diaconateministry and that it brings him great joy.We entered into it as a family.”He was ordained a deacon on June 26,1999, by then-Bishop Donald Wuerl at St.Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oaklandneighborhood.“It was pretty overwhelming that day,”he said. “The cathedral was packed. Itwas the culmination of my formationprocess and the beginning of a new wayof walking. I wasn’t sure what this wasreally going to mean.”Father Michael Decewicz rememberswhen Deacon Mike began his first assignmentat St. Bernadette when he waspastor. They served together for 10 years.“Mike is actually passionate about thediaconate ministry,” Father Decewiczsaid. “It brings him great joy. He is a goodexample in the parish for his faith, commitmentand charity. He was incrediblyhelpful to me as a pastor.”In 2003, Deacon Mike chose early retirementafter working 25 years at Verizon.The next year he was assigned toworks of charity and justice at St. Bernadette.He worked six years as chaplainat Heartland Hospice Services in Irwin,Pa., while attending St. Vincent Seminaryin Latrobe and graduated summacum laude with a master’s degree in theologyin 2007. In February, he was givena full-time position as deacon at St. Bernadette.For him, the most fulfilling role of adeacon is to be there for people in timesof sickness, crisis and loneliness. Heloves the liturgy, but believes that’s notwhere a deacon stops.“If a deacon stops the acts of charityand justice at the altar, then during thedismissal when they exhort the peopleto proclaim the Gospel of the Lord thedeacon needs to be the first model of thatby ministering to the people you encounter,”he said.Father Anthony Gargotta, pastor of St.Bernadette, calls him a model of Christianlife and vocation of deacon life.“He’s the greatest model,” he said. “Heis extremely devoted to his family andhere at St. Bernadette, the largest parishin part of the Eastern diocese, the parishionerslove him.”The deacon and his family are membersof St. Bernadette for 30 years.“I think that right now, God has mehere because that’s where I can do themost building of his kingdom. I loved myjob at the telephone company, but I havenever been more fulfilled or satisfied inthis job,” he said.A deacon is a member of an orderof ordained ministry with its rootsin the earliest days of the church.When faced with the need for help,the apostles prayed and laid handson certain men to designate themfor special service to the community(Acts 6:1-6). The word “deacon”comes from the Greek word diakonos,meaning “servant” or “minister.”Strengthened by sacramental grace,in union with the bishop and hispriests, deacons are assigned to performa variety of liturgical functions,primarily in church, as well as worksof service and charity, bringing thelove of Jesus to people in hospitals,nursing homes, jails and prisons,those in special need, or those on thefringes of society. Anywhere peopleare in need of the Gospel is wheredeacons can-and should-be found.Furthermore, deacons should be asource of inspiration, motivation,and example for all of the faithful ofhumble, loving service to others.Friday, January 11, 2013 Pittsburgh Catholic | vocations 7Life as a Franciscan a ‘perfect fit’ for chaplainSocial concerns, socialjustice and helping thepoor on priest’s radarBy PATRICIA BARTOSCorrespondentFather David Moczulski has had alifelong interest in politics and publicpolicy as a means to help those in need.So when he considered a vocation toreligious life, those interests led him tothe Franciscan priesthood.“I thought of Franciscan life becauseof St. Francis of Assisi’s focus on brotherhood,fraternity and love of nature,”said the native of Pittsburgh’s Lawrencevilleneighborhood.“I thought of Franciscanlife because of St.Francis of Assisi’sfocus on brotherhood,fraternity and love ofnature,” said the native ofPittsburgh’s Lawrencevilleneighborhood.He also credits the influence of theFranciscan sisters from Mount Alverniain Millvale, who taught him at St.Mary Grade School and LawrencevilleCatholic High School, and with whomhe worked at the former St. FrancisHospital during his high school and collegeyears.He thought of religious life off andon from his early years, he said, addingthat when he did enter, “my desire wasto work for social concerns, social justiceand political involvement in helpingthe poor.”He also wanted to belong to a smallcommunity, so he joined the Franciscans’Holy Savior Province, which latermerged with the St. John the BaptistProvince, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.He was educated at Slippery RockUniversity and Washington TheologicalUnion in Washington, D.C., and ordainedin 1993 in St. Mary Church on46th Street in Lawrenceville.Father David currently serves as fulltimeinterfaith chaplain at AlleghenyGeneral Hospital on Pittsburgh’s NorthCNS photo/Emanuela De MeoFranciscans gather in a large tent outside the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels for the International Chapterof Mats in Assisi, Italy in April 2009. Members of the branches of the order founded by St. Francis weremarking the 800th anniversary of papal approval of the Franciscan rule. There are four male communities ofFranciscans in the Pittsburgh area, one of which to Father David Moczulski, a chaplain at Allegheny GeneralHospital, belongs.Side. He is also guardian, or superior, ofHoly Family Friary in Avalon.But for most of his priesthood he realizedhis dream of working on justiceand peace issues.He served on the board of directors ofthe international Franciscan presenceat the United Nations and as executivedirector of the Franciscan office inWashington for Latin America, wherehe aided Franciscans working amonglandless peasants in Brazil, with victimsof war in Colombia and those servingin Haiti. He also served as head of justiceand peace for Franciscans in NorthAmerica for seven years, working on issuessuch as immigration reform.“We need to be a voice to help promoteand make others aware of issuesthey otherwise wouldn’t know about,”he said of his efforts.In addition to his current chaplaincyduties, Father David continues to workon issues such as immigration and humantrafficking. “The church has alwaysbeen an important and good voiceon immigration issues,” he said.His life as a Franciscan has offeredhim the perfect fit, Father David said.“They have a strong influence throughoutthe world through their charismof supporting a preferential optionfor the poor and oppressed and forall creation.”You think youhave aVocation?Call(412) 456-3048Vocations Office