June 2011 - Diocese of Bridgeport

June 201111Vocations“Summer Vocation Days”By KAREN KOVACSDYDZUHNThere are so manydistractions bombardingCatholics every day thateven the most devouthave a difficult timehearing the Lord’s Word.And, yet it’s critical foryoung people, especially,to hear what God is callingthem to do as theymake decisions in highschool and college thatcould potentially impactthe rest of their lives.By offering the “SummerVocation Days” at Sacred HeartUniversity on June 28-30, Fr.Robert Kinnally, director ofvocations for the Diocese ofBridgeport and rector at St. JohnFisher Seminary in Stamford,hopes to provide a venue wherelocal teens could explore in-depthwhat God’s will is for them.Fr. Kinnally points out thatbecause the religious communityis smaller than it used to be, youngpeople who don’t attend Catholicschools may never encounter aSoundings from page 2Bible as a whole” (The Word ofthe Lord, no. 57). This way ofthinking about Scripture opensour minds to connections amongthe readings we might not otherwisesee and greatly enriches ourunderstanding of the Bible itself.I’d like to say a word aboutthe Responsorial Psalm. It is notjust a poem or a song that servesas an interlude between the firstand second reading. Rather,as the name indicates, it is ourresponse to the Word of God.However, we are responding notwith our own words and sentimentsbut rather with God’s ownWord, with songs of praise hehas inspired. The Psalm chosenfor the liturgy of the day helps usmeditate on the reading we haveheard and prepares us for whatis to follow. It helps us to raiseour minds and hearts in praiseeven as we allow the Word ofpriest or a sister. However, Godspeaks through people in manydifferent ways, so at some timein their lives someone may havecome along to tell a young man orwoman that they’d make a goodpriest or sister.Although the program willprovide information about religiousvocations, Fr. Kinnally saysyoung people who have alreadydecided that they would like toget married are also encouragedto attend. “It’s about learninghow to be alert to the signsthat God puts in our lives,” heexplains. “God speaks to us inthe circumstances that we findourselves in.”Moreover, it’s by listeningto our Lord in prayer and timesof quiet reflection that youngpeople receive the clarity and theconfidence to make importantdecisions. “We encourage thekids to invite God into all of theirdecision making, whether it’sabout who their friends are, whatcollege they should go to andwhat they should major in,” Fr.Kinnally adds.Through music, prayer andsmall group work, they willdiscuss how God calls his disciplesin both the Old and NewTestament. No matter where theirlives may lead, it’s important foryoung people to think about whatcontributions they could make tothe Church as they mature.The Summer Vocation Daysare designed to illustrate for youngpeople that when they’re doingGod’s will, their lives will be full.“When you listen to God’s call,no matter what it is, you’re reallyhappy and your life is filled withjoy,” Fr. Kinnally says.The second day of the threedayworkshop will be led byreligious men and women fromlocal communities who will sharetheir personal experiences. Again,Fr. Kinnally points out that evenif teens already know that this isnot the choice they would like tomake, the information providedwill, hopefully, make them morecompassionate towards peoplewho decide to devote themselvesin this way to the Church. “Theywill realize the important workthat priests and sisters do and beable to pray for them and supportthem,” he says.Jorge Bryan Samniego, 16, ajunior at Central Magnet HighSchool, enjoyed hearing the informationwhen he was at last year’svocations program, becausehe is contemplating enteringthe seminary. “They gave us alot of insights but nothing wasforced upon us,” says Bryan, ashe prefers to be called. “It wasorganized so that it appealed toteens.”A member of St. Peter Parishin Bridgeport, Bryan is in theprocess of determining if heGod to penetrate our mind andheart. Whenever possible, theResponsorial Psalm should bechanted and the refrain shouldbe able to be sung by the wholecongregation, not just the choir.Usually, it is to be led from theambo or pulpit. A hymn, eventhe noblest, should never be usedas a substitute for the psalms.The point of the Liturgy ofthe Word is that we encounterthe Word. Thus, we need tomake sure that the Word of Godis clearly proclaimed. Lectorsshould be well trained. Thereis no substitute for practicingbefore one publicly proclaimsthe Word of God and for ensuringthat one knows how topronounce all the words clearly.Lectors should project their voices,reading slowly enough thatthe Word can be truly heard,and, above all, they should manifesta reverence for what theyread. After a Scripture passagehas been read, there should bea period of silence in which theassembly can absorb the Wordof God. Silence should not betaken as the absence of participation.We cannot really take partin the liturgy unless there areperiods of silent prayer, so thatwe might give the Holy Spirit theopportunity to work in us andthrough us.In the next installment, Ishould like to focus on the homily,the Creed, and the prayer ofthe faithful. In the meantime,let us take our cue from St. Paulwho says to us, “Let the word ofChrist dwell in you richly, as inall wisdom you teach and admonishone another, singing psalms,hymns, and spiritual songs withgratitude in your hearts to God”(Colossians 3:16).nMUSIC, PRAYER and small group discussions focus on God’s call duringSummer Vocation Days. Many youth who attended last year’s event (shownhere) will return again this year.(Photos by Amy Mortensen)has a calling for the priesthood.He recently spent a weekendat St. John Fisher Seminary inStamford, a place of discernmentand learning for young men.Bryan is looking forward tothis year’s Summer VocationDays. “This retreat will be a goodtime to get away from the world,”he says. “I hope to increase myfaith and get closer to God.”The Summer VocationDays’ committee led by DeaconAugustine Nguyen, who will beordained a priest next year, issponsoring a contest to see whichparish will send the most participants.“The wonderful prize isthat Bishop Lori will come to oneof their youth group meetings as aguest speaker,” Fr. Kinnally says.(For more information on theSummer Vocation Days, go toBridgeport Vocations on Facebook.) nIn China ten million unborn children are murdered each year.In the U.S. one million unborn children are murdered each year.Blessed Mother Teresa has warnedthat abortion will cause a nuclear war.Communist China and the U.S. will wage a nuclear WW III.Bible prophecy will be fulfilled unless there is repentanceand an end to the abomination of abortion.View “Apocalypse, the Antichrist, and Communist China”on www.youtube.com.Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice - CAPPFairfield County ChapterA lay led Pontifical Foundation created by Pope John Paul IIto implement CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING throughBusiness, Professional and Academic Leaders.You are invited to submit nomineesfor theCAPP FC BusinessLeadership AwardRecognizing individuals who have enhanced the fabricof society through the application of Catholic Social TeachingSee our web site for the nomination processFor further information about CAPP visit our website:www.CAPP-USA.ORGor contact Bill Fox, President, CAPP FC203.966.8582 or email: wfox@capp-usa.orgCATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING is based on the principles of:Human Dignity + Solidarity + Subsidiarity