Homilies Aim to Cultivate Men Considering Call of Priesthood

Father John Gabriel, left, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark, launched his program of inspirational homilies on religions vocations at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in West Orange. Greeting him were the pastor, Father Joseph Petrillo, right, and longtime weekend assistant Father Peter Lennon.

Director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark less than a year, Father John D. Gabriel has already been struck by the "beautiful experience" of how the Lord works in the lives of men contemplating dedicating their lives to the Church.

"It strengthens my priesthood," he declared.

The former pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish in Fairfield who sees archdiocesan parishes and families as vital elements in fostering vocations, Fr. Gabriel was ordained 22 years ago in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark (see The Catholic Advocate, Aug. 6, 2008).

An important part of his job, Fr. Gabriel explained, is "to motivate the clergy to have a passion for vocations" by encouraging young men. As a pastor, the vocations director recalled, he soon realized that such motivation "does not happen automatically." The role of the pastor and parish staff is "crucial" to fostering vocations' awareness," he added.

To fortify the parish's role in bringing local men into the priesthood, Fr. Gabriel has let it be known that he is eager to speak at Mass. His first homily took place in the fall at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in West Orange. After delivering his sermons, Fr. Gabriel noted that, on many occasions, a man who says he is thinking of the priesthood approaches him after Mass.

Fr. Gabriel is also enjoying staying at Emmaus Discernment House, located at 91 Washington St. in Newark, where young men work or attend school during the day and stay for an average of one year. All eight residents from a year ago, Fr. Gabriel pointed out, went on to the seminary. Today there are 14 residents.

There are three primary reasons why a man moves into Emmaus House, Fr. Gabriel said. "They think God is calling them but they are not totally sure," he noted as the first reason. The calling to the priesthood can manifest itself in different ways for different men. Discernment, he said in a previous interview, is a complex, personal process of spiritual exploration. It is coming to the realization that God is calling you. "It is a feeling in the heart that begins a relationship with God," he said.

A second reason is for potential priests from foreign countries who would move onto the priesthood in the United States to learn English. The third factor is that a young man finds himself in debt and can ease the situation by living at Emmaus House.

A pleasant surprise so far as vocations director, Fr. Gabriel remarked, is that during the weekly Eucharistic Adorations sessions he is often approached by someone who says he "clearly" heard the Lord's call to the priesthood.

Still, Fr. Gabriel added, deciding to become a priest has its challenges. Often, he explained, a young man is "afraid to take that next step." Part of the reason for that, he admitted candidly, is that there are often many "good" alternatives such as marriage and fatherhood.

A key element in the overall process is the "On the Road" discernment group program that began in November and ends in June. Held at Immaculate Conception Seminary on the South Orange campus of Seton Hall University, each session has its own individual theme and runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The remaining schedule includes Jan. 14 ("Trust God"); Feb. 11 ("It Takes Time"); March 11 ("Your Peace is Found in Jesus, Your Fear from the Spirit Against Christ"); April 8 ("God's Will is Found in Your Will When You are in Christ"); May 6 ("You Must Stand Firm"); and June 3 ("Jesus Speaks to You Through the Church"). For additional information on this program, call Fr. Gabriel at (973) 497-4365.

In addition, the archdiocesan Vocations Office has launched the Holy Hour series, celebrating the Year of Saint Paul as a way to inspire vocations (see related story on page 14).

Vocations in the Archdiocese of Newark are doing well, according to Fr. Gabriel. Three years ago the archdiocese led the nation with 17 new priests and since then has been consistently among the leaders.

Still, he stressed, "there is never a time when you can say you don't have to work at it." He noted too that while the archdiocese is grateful for international vocations, a lot of energy has to be directed toward filling the priestly ranks with archdiocesan men. He recalled a comment of Archbishop John J. Myers that a sign of the health of a diocese is the number of men from within who become priests.

Looking ahead to this year, Fr. Gabriel intends to bring "more technology" to the vocations effort in the Archdiocese at Newark.