A few weeks ago, I was asked to give a morning of recollection to seventh- and eighth-grade students at one of our elementary schools in the upper counties. The principal told me … more

One of the most beautiful times of the Church year is the spring, when many dioceses throughout the world celebrate the ordination of their new priests. During my years as a seminarian and now as a … more

One of the interesting aspects of vocation work is the amount of traveling that is part of this ministry. It has afforded me the opportunity to visit many new places and to meet a diverse group of … more

Ask any vocation director and he will tell you that the one question we are consistently asked is, “How many guys do you have?” This could refer to discerners, seminarians, men to be ordained or … more

Over the last three years I have been going out to Mundelein Seminary in Chicago taking classes in spiritual direction. This nine-week program, spread out over three years is facilitated by the … more

Every year during the Easter Triduum, the vocations office of the Archdiocese of New York joins the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre to run a retreat for the men who are considering a … more

A few weeks ago, I had the great blessing to be with Father Ubald Rugirangoga for an event at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture. The event was covered by Catholic New York and appeared in a … more

One of the best aspects of my position as vocation director is the opportunity to meet so many different people who are dedicated to the Church and her mission throughout the United States. Earlier … more

During the course of the year, my office has two separate silent retreats for men who are discerning the priesthood. The first of these is at the beginning of the Advent season and the second during … more

During the course of the year, my office has two separate silent retreats for the men who are discerning the priesthood. The first of these is at the beginning of the Advent season and the second … more

We live in a world that is increasingly noisy. Here in New York, it seems that there is a constant cacophony of sound surrounding us. As frustrating as that can be, it is especially challenging to … more

A couple of months ago, I was on my annual retreat in Chicago at Mundelein Seminary. There were about 70 priests together on this silent, self-directed time to rest and pray. The only conversation we … more

Never forget my brothers, the priesthood is true and good and beautiful because it belongs to Jesus. He is the great High Priest.” These were the words spoken by Father Chris Martin, the … more

A few months ago, I was at a gathering with brother priests and one of the young men helping at the dinner approached me when he heard that I am the vocation director … more

In the late summer and early fall of 1776, following disastrous defeats at the Battle of Long Island … more

Recently, I had the pleasure of accompanying nine college students who are part of the Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) at SUNY New Paltz on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. I … more

When I started this column a few months ago, I wrote that it would not be exclusively about vocations to the priesthood. With this in mind, I am pleased to include the following article beginning in … more

Recently, I received an email from a young woman who is discerning religious life. She wanted to know the possibilities available in the archdiocese for someone who is thinking about becoming a … more

A few months ago, I was having dinner with several of those I am working with who are discerning the priesthood. These gatherings are great opportunities for me to get to know the men and give … more

It is almost always the first question asked when I tell people I am the vocations director for the Archdiocese: “How many guys do you have?” This could refer to a variety of different possibilities: How many are enrolled in seminary? How many will be ordained? How many am I currently working with who are seriously discerning? People ask this because there is a genuine concern about the number of men who are in active ministry and those who will soon join them. Our people see their priests doing more with less resources and are worried about what this will mean for the future and our access to God’s saving work in the sacraments. It can at times be discouraging or frustrating when we do not see the results that we would like. In the midst of this concern, there are signs of hope as well. more