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PRAISE GOD! WE'VE GOT THE LARGEST NEW CLASS OF SEMINARIANS IN 20 YEARS

Noah Townsend

Andrew Kurzawski

MEET A FEW OF THE NEW GUYS :

Alex Zimmerman

Jamy Caldwell

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In a city that bleeds Black and Gold,

We need champions to wear

the Black and White

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Alex Zimmerman

Age: 18 Hometown: Cecil, PASeminary Year: 1st college Home Parish: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Meadowlands PAWhat is Drawing you to the Priesthood: The love and understanding that all priests have.Interests: Soccer, working out, sleeping, movies, hanging out with friends.Favorite Movies: The Dark Knight, Battle Los Angeles, Valkerie, Favorite Books: The Life of St. Therese, If All the Swords in England, The Hobbit Favorite Quote: In every case the joy is greater, the worse the pain which has preceded it. (St. Augustine) Nothing is impossible with God. Marines dont quite. (Battle Los Angeles. Heroes: Pope Benedict, St. John Vianney, Landon Donovan My Story: I grew up in a big catholic family. We said the rosary every night. So, the priesthood came up a lot. Also, I knew so many awesome priests. They were just such great examples for me.

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Noah Townsend

Age: 27Hometown: Originally: Parkersburg, WV; Most Recently: Ambridge, PASeminary Year: Pre-Theology IHome Parish: Good Samaritan- Ambridge, PAWhat is Drawing you to the Priesthood: As I understand it, the Christian life is about being re-conformed to the image and likeness of God through Jesus Christ, and walking more closely with Him so that we become more truly ourselves as He intends. At the heart of the priesthood is an intimate walk with Christ that reflects His giving of Himself for us through the Sacraments (most especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass), preaching, ministering to the needs of those around us and being a sign of His Presence in the joys and sorrows of people in their daily lives. Interests: History, Music, Botany, the Faith, hanging out with friends, walking in the woods, travel, foreign languages (especially Hebrew)Favorite Movies: Quo Vadis, The Emperor's New Groove, Star Trek VI, The Lord of the Rings, Muppet Treasure Island, Original Star Wars Trilogy, UHF, The Prince of Egypt, The Trouble With AngelsFavorite Books: Father Elijah: An Apocalypse; The Lord of the Rings & The Silmarillion; The Three Musketeers; The Chronicles of NarniaFavorite Quote: "King suffers with us. He suffers in us. When His Kingdom is established in its fullness, our love for Him will surpass that for any earthly king, because He has suffered everything that His poorest children have suffered. And suffered by choice, where we have suffered unwillingly." - from Father Elijah by Michael D. O'BrienHeroes: The Prophets Elijah and Jeremiah, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, St. Francis, Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, Blessed John Henry Newman and Pope Benedict XVIMy story: I was raised in a devout family, of varying stripes of Protestants. I grew up in the Episcopal Church and was heavily formed by both its liturgy and hymnody, and the personal faith of my family- particularly that of my great-grandmother. Seeing how she faced her struggle with cancer and her death with total faith in Christ caused me to ask deeper questions about my Christian faith and led me to a conversion. It was then that I really began to discern a call to ministry.During college, the Lord brought me into close contact with Catholics, as well as Catholic thought in my history classes. My contact with Catholicism began to have a deep impact on me and irrevocably transformed how I viewed my Christian faith, even as I was preparing to enter seminary to become an Anglican priest. As my time in the Anglican seminary progressed, it became clearer and clearer to me that I belonged in the Catholic Church, as I had come to believe through studying history and theology that the fullness of the Christian faith really did rest in the Catholic Church. As soon as I took the first step toward inquiring about becoming Catholic, the Lord blessed me with the guidance of good priests, has been leading me every step of the way thus far, and I trust Him to lead me through every subsequent step of discerning my vocation.

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Andrew Kurzawski

Age: 27Hometown: Carnegie, PASeminary Year: Pastoral Year (completed 3rd Theology) Home Parish: Holy Souls (Closed) Carnegie What is Drawing you to the Priesthood: Ultimately it is the call of God who I deeply believe is asking me to walk with and be there for his people serving them as a priest. Like all seminarians I have had my periods of wanting to leave the seminary and reenter the dating world yet during those times I was always somehow reassured in my prayer that the Lord and our Blessed Mother do desire for me to give my life to God and his Church and they have opened too many doors and given me too many signs for me to ignore their beautiful message. Interests: Playing and watching sports, especially basketball and football. Spending time with family and friends over a good meal, meeting and conversing with new people and learning their story, American history (especially the American Revolution and the American Civil War), studying Liturgy.Favorite Movies: Gettysburg, Glory, The Sandlot, and Saving Private Ryan, A Man for All SeasonsFavorite Books: Autumn Memoirs of St. Alphonsus Liguori by Fr. Joseph Oppiz, C.Ss.R. The Life of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, The Reform of Renewal by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, The Spirit of the Liturgy by Cardinal RatzingerFavorite Quote: "He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts God can do all things. – St. Alphonsus Liguori, "God's got your back when you give Him your heart" - Debra Roberts, "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because you character is who you truly are but you reputation is merely what others think of youHeroes: My parents Dennis and Mary Kurzawski, my two deceased grandfathers: Steve Babich and Gilbert Kurzawski (decorated WWII veterans), John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, Fr. Charles Mallen, C.Ss.R (deceased Redemptorist priest), Fr. Benedict Groeschel who I lived and worked with in NYC and who helped me find my vocation.My Story: Looking back on my journey to the seminary, I now see some obvious blessings, which God had placed on my path. First, would be family, one in which my parents and grandparents made countless sacrifices to send my siblings and me to parochial schools and to foster within us a great love for the Eucharist and our Blessed Lady. Second, would be a deep love and respect for priesthood and religious life. During my school days, there never seemed to be a lack of young and vibrant priests and religious at our parish; priests and brothers who at one minute were playing football with me and my friends and in the next moment helping a needy family. I remember thinking, if this is religious life and the priesthood maybe I could try it. As I moved into high school, the thought of priesthood took a back seat to sports, friends, and girls. Senior year came fast and having excelled on the basketball court and in the classroom I had my pick of colleges. I accepted an athletic/academic scholarship to a place where I felt I would be able to learn, have fun, and to continue playing the sport I loved. Although I enjoyed this new world and all it had to offer, I struggled to maintain my personal integrity and chastity in a society that trivialized both. It was just this kind of challenge that enabled me to put down the basketball and begin to find a way through college that included my values, beliefs, and relationship with Christ and his Mother. In 2006 I found my way to Americas first Benedictine Monastery, Saint Vincent Archabbey. Although I enjoyed my time as a monk I felt God calling me to a more intense type of priesthood, a priesthood in which I would be with his people, on the front lines so to speak. After nearly 5 years at St. Vincent I decided to return home to the Diocese of Pittsburgh in order to serve the people I knew best and to whom I attribute much of my vocation. I thank the Lord Jesus and his Blessed Mother for the prayers and support of my family, friends, the people of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and my Knights of Columbus council. I could not be happier. Laudate Jesus Christus.

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Jamy Caldwell

Age: 34Hometown: Hopewell PASeminary Year: 1 CollegeHome Parish: Our Lady of PeaceInterests: I love learning about the Middle East and East Asia and their cultures, specifically those of the poor and their spiritual practices.Favorite Movies: Life is beautiful, Saawarija, The Pink Panther Series, The Marx Brothers, The Passion, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, HeroFavorite Books: Divine Intimacy, The Power and the Glory, The Final Martyrs, The Girl I Left Behind, Sanctity Will Out, 1 KingsFavorite Quote: "I'm no inventor worth talking about", Thomas Edison said pointing to heaven, "that's the real inventor."Heroes: Jesus Christ, Saint Martin de Porres, Saint Therese of Lisieux, My uncle, Harpo MarxMy vocation story and why I entered the seminary:My vocation story really begins in Turkey, just a few miles down the road from Saint Paul's home town of Tarsus. After a visit and tour I was changed forever. When I returned I started paying attention to my conscience. Having had no religious education but believing in some sort of God, some sort of Creator, I began searching.After 8 years of searching I entered the RCIA program and was welcomed into the faith through baptism and Confirmation and Holy Communion on Easter Vigil. Soon there after something inside me stated stirring and I knew that I couldnt continue on in life the way that I had been living. I knew that I had to better discern Gods will for me in the Seminary.

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SEVEN CHURCH TOUR

HOLY THURSDAY PILGRIMAGE

Holy Thursday Pilgrimage for High School Teens Celebrating the Splendor of Christ's Ministry10:00AM Chrism Mass St. Paul's Cathedral12:00 noon LunchSt. Mary of Mercy Lawless HallFree will donations accepted1:00 pm 7 Church Walking Tourthrough PittsburghTour Includes:Saint Mary of Mercy, Duquesne Chapel,Mercy Hospital Chapel, Saint Benedict the Moor, Epiphany, Saint StanislausSaint Patrick

To register please call Janet Roberto at (724)941-9587 ext 112

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BISHOPS WELCOME My Dear Friends in Christ, It is with great joy and excitement that I welcome you to the new website for the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Our reason for creating this website is to provide you with a glimpse of the priesthood and of seminary formation in the Diocese. On this site, you will find the stories of priests and seminarians as well as resources to help guide the discernment of a call to the priesthood. I am extremely excited about the Church in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Everywhere there are signs that even in these often challenging times, the Church is Alive! This Church Alive depends on the courageous response of men willing to step-up and answer God’s call to the priesthood. Take a look around this site. Use the information to help your prayer and discernment. Remember to open your heart completely to God. Allow the Holy Spirit to move in you. Then, if it seems that God may be calling you to be a priest, contact us. We would like to walk the road of discernment with you. Bishop David Zubik

Read my Vocation Story

STARTING POINT

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the Diocese of Pittsburgh presents:

STARTING POINT

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PRIESTS AND THE PRIESTHOOD

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the call to holiness

slide 3 everyone has a vocation"Therefore all the disciples of Christ, persevering in prayer and praising God should present themselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Everywhere on earth they must bear witness to Christ and give an answer to those who seek an account of that hope of eternal life which is in them" (Lumen Gentium 10).Every baptized Christian shares the same primary vocation, the vocation or call to holiness. We are all called to live lives that show Jesus Christ to the world. We live out this call in different ways. Some people are called to marriage, where they will make Christ present through the Sacramental love that they share with their spouse. Some are called to remain single and live a fruitful life participating in the Church and in the world as an image of Christ. Some are called by God to the life of a Brother or a Sister in a Religious Community, making Christ present by their commitment to their brothers and sisters and to all of Gods people. Some are called to be priests...

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what is the priesthood

"Because he belongs to Christ, the priest is radically at the service of men and women. He is the minister of their salvation, their happiness, their authentic liberation."

Pope Benedict XVI

slide 5 The priest is a man. The priest is a man who is ordained beneath the hands of a bishop and through the calling down of the Holy Spirit. He is a man who is called to make Christ, the Head of the Church, present with his whole life."Priests are called to prolong the presence of Christ, the One High Priest, embodying his way of life and making him visible in the midst of the flock entrusted to their care. . . . In the Church and on behalf of the Church, priests are a sacramental representation of Jesus Christ, the Head and Shepherd, authoritatively proclaiming his Word, repeating his acts of forgivenessand his offer of salvation, particularly in Baptism, Penance, and the Eucharist, showing his loving concern to the point of a total gift of self for the flock, which they gather into unity and lead to the Father through Christ and in the Spirit. In a word, priests exist and act in order to proclaim the Gospel to the world and to build up the Church in the name and person of Christ the Head and Shepherd" (Pastores dabo vobis, no. 15).

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What does a priest do?
In the Church and on behalf of the Church,priests are a sacramental representation of Jesus Christ, the Head and Shepherd, authoritatively proclaiming his Word, repeating his acts of forgiveness and his offer of salvation, particularly in Baptism, Penance, and the Eucharist. (Pastores dabo vobis 15)The priests that we all know best are our parish priests. These priests serve the people of God in the midst of their daily lives. They represent Christ Himself to His people. They offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day and especially on Sundays. They hear your confessions, and visit and give the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to your loved ones who are ill. They preach. They run the daily operations of the parish. It is a lot. It is also a wonderful life!

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Click thru to see what some of

our priests are up to

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Fr. Chuck Baptiste is the parochial vicar at Good Samaritan Parish in Ambridge and St. John the Baptist Parish in Baden, as well as chaplain at Quigley Catholic High School.

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Fr. Chris Stubna is the Secretary for Catholic Education and also helps out at Sts. Simon and Jude parish.

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Fr. Joe McCaffrey is the pastor of Sts. John and Paul Parish in Wexford, as well as being an FBI chaplain.

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Fr. Brian Noel lives in Rome, Italy and is finishing up a degree in Spiritual Theology at the University of St. Thomas.

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Fr. Bill Dorner is the pastor of St. Gregory Parish in Zelienople and St. Matthias Parish in Evans City.

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Fr. Nick Vaskov works with college students at Point Park and Robert Morris, as well as with students from the Catholic High Schools in Oakland.

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Fr. Dan Langa is the parochial vicar at St. Louise de Marillac Parish in Upper St. Clair, with duties at the local hospital and nursing home.

This is just a small sample of what priests are doing in our Diocese. As you can see, priests do a lot of different things. The Bishop looks at each priests gifts and talents and tries to make the very best use of them for building up God's Kingdom.

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How do Iknow if I am called?

slide 9 First of all, you have to pray about it. You and the Lord have some talking to do. Give the Lord some room to help you think and help you listen to what He might be calling you to. This is called discerning. Here are some things to think about while you are discerning God's call for you: 1. Holy Eucharist. Do you love the Eucharist? Is going to Mass one of the most awesome times of your week? Do you love praying before the Blessed Sacrament? Remember those "you might be a redneck jokes." Well if you answered yes to these questions, you might have a vocation! 2. Pastoral Ministry. What would it feel like to celebrate the sacraments and preach the word? This may sound funny but, do you like people? Think about helping others, baptizing babies, hearing confessions, anointing the sick, preparing couples for marriage, visiting people in prison, burying the dead, feeding the poor. Can you see yourself doing this as a priest? 3.Teacher of the Faith. What a challenge in today's world. Who is telling the truth? Everyone seems to have an opinion. Jesus Christ has given us the Way, Truth and Life. As a priest, you would preach the Gospel with love and conviction, hope and courage. Do you think that you could do that?2. Man of PrayerDo you pray? What kind of prayers do you say? Do you love Our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints? As a priest you are going to rely on the help of the Lord and His Mother Mary and all the Saints. If this is you already, sweet! If not, don't worry. It is something you can learn. What do you feel when you see the Cross? Do you see the great love that this suffering and death shows?

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THE CALL TO HOLINESS

WHAT IS THE PRIESTHOOD?

WHAT DOES A PRIEST DO?

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM CALLED?

REAL LIVES

Real Lives Home

NEWS House Classes at St. Paul'sDuring the academic year there are house classes offered for the seminarians to take here at St. Paul’'s. They are open to anybody else who might be interested, so I wanted to let you know about them. Vatican II: Priesthood and Pastoral Ministry, taught by Fr. Joe Mele, is the class being offered this semester (Wednesday evenings from 7 – 9 pm). The first class is this Wednesday, January 11th. A lot of men who have considered the priesthood in the past have found attending a house class to be really helpful in the process of discernment. Feel free to join the community before hand for evening prayer at 5:45, followed by dinner at 6:00. You’re more than welcome to come to the entire semester course or simply just stop in when you’re able. Please email Lori Rectenwald (seminary secretary) and let her know by noon on the day that you are coming lrectenwald_diopitt.org. CLASS DESCRIPTION:The theological and ecclesial foundations of the priesthood are often misunderstood and misconstrued. Furthermore, the disciplines of priestly celibacy and priestly obedience, notwithstanding their theological content, often connote negative social interpretations. The mystery of the Incarnation has demonstrated that the Word made Flesh does not diminish the human person, his sexuality, or his pursuit of truth, rather demonstrates the potential of human nature. The theology of the priesthood is not in conflict with the anthropological dimensions of human nature. Class lectures will primarily study the development of the Catholic priesthood from its origin in the early Church to the present day by means of historical and theological survey. The greatest emphasis will focus on the first four centuries of Christianity and then the development of the priesthood from the Second Vatican Council. Recent conciliar and post-conciliar documents on the priesthood as well as current canon law of the Church will be examined in detail in an effort to familiarize the student with the organic development of the Sacrament of Orders in relation to its original foundation by Jesus Christ.
Parish Visits - Spring 2012The seminarians and I will be visiting and celebrating Mass at these parishes on these dates this semester. Feel free to stop by if you're in the area. Sunday, January 15th St. Titus (Aliquippa) 9:00 am. & 11:00 am.Sunday, January 29th - St. Therese (Munhall) 9:30 am & 11:00 am. Sunday, February 12th - St. Patrick (McKeesport) 8:30 am & 11:00 amSunday, February 19th - St. Richard (Gibsonia) 10:00 am & 12:00 pm Sunday, March 18th - St. Patrick (Canonsburg) 10:00 am and 12:00 pmSunday, March 25th - St. John (Plum) 9:00 am & 11:00 amSunday, April 15th St. Hilary (Washington) 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.Sunday, April 29th - St. Stanislaus (Strip District) 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Vocation Dinner / Holy Hour Dates, Spring 2012Dinner at 7:00 pm, Holy Hour at 8:00 pm ST. PAUL SEMINARYJanuary 15th, February 19th, March 18th, April 22nd

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RESOURCES

RESOURCES
Church DocumentsCLICK ON THE DOCUMENT TO OPEN IT IN A NEW WINDOWPresbyterorum Ordinis- The Decree of Ministry and Life of Priests(Second Vatican Council Document)Pastores Dabo Vobis (Apostolic Exhortation by Pope John Paul II)World Day of Prayer for Vocations (Message by Pope John Paul II)Spiritual Reading Suggestions* Abandonment to Divine Providence, Jean-Pierre de Caussade* An Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales* Christ the Ideal of the Priest, Dom Columba Marmion, O.S.B.* Fire Within, Thomas Dubay, S.M.* He Leadeth Me, Walter Ciszek, S.J.* Prayer Primer, Thomas Dubay, S.M.* Priests for the Third Millenium, Timothy M. Dolan, S.T.D.* The Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux* The Way of Perfection, St. Therese of AvilaPrayers for VocationsAlmighty and eternal God, in your unfailing love you provide ministers for your Church. We pray for those whom you call to serve the Church of Pittsburgh as priests. Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve your people. May their lives and service call your people to respond to the presence of your Spirit among us that, faithful to the Gospel and hope of Jesus the Christ, we may announce glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, set prisoners free and renew the face of the earth. Amen.Hail Mary, full of grace; all generations call you blessed. Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel to bear the Son of the Most High, filled with faith, you responded: "Let it be done unto me." Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana, you prompted your Son to perform his first sign. Be with us as we discern our life's work and guide us in the way we are called to follow in the footsteps of your Son. Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross you mourned the death of your only Son. Bless and embrace the loving parents of all priests, deacons, brothers and sisters. Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd, turn your motherly care to this nation. Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers to the harvest in this land dedicated to your honor. Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick, inspire vocations in our time. Let the word of your Son be made flesh anew in the lives of persons anxious to proclaim the good news of everlasting life. AmenPrayers of DiscernmentGracious God, You have called me to life and gifted me in many ways. Through Baptism You have sent me to continue the mission of Jesus by sharing my love with others. Strengthen me to respond to Your call each day. Help me to become all You desire of me. Inspire me to make a difference in others' lives. Lead me to choose the way of life You have planned for me. Open the hearts of all to listen to Your call. Fill all with Your Holy Spirit that we may have listening hearts and the courage to respond to You. Enkindle in my heart and the hearts of others the desire to make the world a better place by serving as Lay Minister, Sister, Priest, Brother or Deacon. Amen.O Lord, help me know your will for me. Let your light shine in the depths of my heart that I may know what you want me to do with my life. Help me believe that you have a special plan for me. Lord, I know I pass through this life only once; help me decide how you want me to make a difference. Like our Blessed Mother, give me the wisdom to hear your voice and the courage to answer your call. Above all give me peace of mind and heart. I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Parents Prayers for VocationsGracious and loving God you have blessed us with the priviledge of becoming Parents. We ask that you provide us with all that we need in accepting this awesome responsibility. We pray that we will be open to your spirit who is our source of strength as we witness to our children your love for each of them and your desire for them to be happy and to live a full life. We ask your help so we may guide and encourage our children to believe that they each have a special calling and to use their gifts and talents for others. We pray, Heavenly Father, that our children will discover and respond enthusiastically to your desire for them whether it be to the vocation of single, married, ordained or consecrated life. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen.O Lord, send workers for Your harvest, so that the precepts of Your only-begotten Son may always be obeyed and His sacrifice be everywhere renewed. Look with favor upon Your family, and ever increase its numbers. Enable it to lead its sons and daughters to the holiness to which they are called and to work for the salvation of others. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.Family Vocation Prayer at MealsGood and gentle shepherd, You tend the flock of the Church with your loving and generous heart. You feed the flock with your Word and Sacrament. You know the flock and call each by name. Bless this little flock, our family, gathered around this table. Lead us through the everyday changes and challenges of life. Help us to hear the sound of Your voice calling us to serve the world according to your Father's will. Send your Spirit so that more men will respond to your call to give their lives as priests for the Church. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

http://www.foryourvocation.org

FAQ DiscernmentWhat does vocation mean?A lot of times when people hear the word vocation they think of a job (as in vocational training). The actual root of the word though comes from the word meaning to call. So when we speak of vocation we are speaking about your calling from God. How do I really know if God is calling me to consider priesthood? God calls in many different ways. Take a look at some of the questions which we raise in the Starting Point section. Those should be helpful. The thing is, God does sometimes call through a huge single moment of conversion. However this is not always or even usually the case. If this question is on your heart, you owe it to yourself and to God, to pray about it and to talk to others about it.I am a pretty big sinner. I have done some things that I am not proud of. I definitely feel unworthy. How could I ever become a priest? Yep. You're right! No one is worthy or ever will be worthy. But God in His goodness and love, calls some to lay down their lives so that others may live. Do you know who else felt this same way? Saint Peter! He said, "Leave me, Lord for I am a sinful man" (Luke 5:8), but Jesus will not abandon us. Trust in His mercy for you and strive to live out the holiness of the priesthood. If I feel that God might be calling me to the priesthood, does that mean I have to become a priest?You have a responsibility to discern the process fully. Ultimately, it is a free choice - God is not going to force you or to condemn you, but he offers the life of the priesthood in total freedom.I have debt (from college loans, house payments etc). What do I do with this?We handle it on a case-by-case basis, especially since most people who are not entering theseminary right out of high school have loans from their time in college. We work together on setting up a plan and on deferring the loans until seminary is completed. Do I have to be 100% sure before I can enter the seminary? No, thats what a period of discernment is for. Entering seminary is the first yes. You will have a lot of opportunities to say yes or no during your time in the seminary. Life as a PriestAre priests happy?Just like everybody, there are good days and there are tough days . But priests have every reason to be happy. Think about what a priest gets to do. We represent Jesus Christ and His Church to people during their highest highs (wedding, baptism) and their lowest lows (hospital, prison, funeral). We are intimately present in peoples lives. It is an awesome honor and responsibility. When we live out our vocation with fidelity, we can be happy even in difficult situations. We are especially happy when the Steelers and the Penguins win, so along with all the other reasons, we have been very happy this year! Oh yeah, lets go Bucs! Do priests have friends?Absolutely, just like everyone else! Unless you are a total jerk of course! Many friendships are formed in the in the Mission of the Church. A number of priests still keep in touch with their childhood friends and those from high school or college. Along the way as a priest, friendships will develop with families and parishioners that you come in contact with and serve. You are always a Father to them, but that doesn't mean you can't go to watch the Steelers crush the Browns with them. Or go to the opera I guess. What do priests do for fun?Almost anything that is fun, exciting, wholesome and renews the body, mind and soul: from basketball, to golf, to going to a Pirates game, to reading, to riding roller coasters at Kennywood, to going to the beach, jogging, soccer, biking, skiing, visiting museums, going to the movies, to visiting foreign countries, to spending time with families, to going out to dinner - you name it! But, priests realize that recreation involves the soul, too, and that is why priests take a retreat each year.Can priests have mustaches?The mustache, made popular by people such as Tom Selleck, has been donned by many great priests as well. So, yes, priests can have mustaches.Do priests get paid?Heck yes! But of course, it cannot be all about the Benjamins! Jesus called the Apostles to poverty and this spirituality can never be reduced to particular groups in the Church's history. All Christians are to live a spirit of poverty and to not be unduly attached to the things of this world. Priests in particular are called to live out spiritual poverty and be an example of it in the Church. The faithful do support priests and provide for our material needs such as a place to live, food to eat, etc. While you will not be a millionaire if you become a priest, but priests have a sufficient salary to live.Can I visit my family when I am a priest?Depending on how close they live, you could see your family each week. Parish priests get a day off each week and many use that opportunity to visit family. For other priests, older or sick parents require that they look after them and their needs and parish priesthood affords a certain flexibility in this area.Do priests get a vacation?Yes. Its actually in canon law, the official law of the Catholic Church, that diocesan priests are to get a vacation. Not bad, huh? Some priests go on vacation with their family or friends or other priests. Just like other people, priests go to the beach or the lake or travel to other fun vacation places. Sexuality and CelibacyWhy can't priests be married?In imitation of Jesus Christ who was celibate for the sake of the Kingdom, Roman Catholic priests are chosen from among those who will commit themselves to a life of chaste celibacy. It is a "sign of contradiction" in the world reminding people of eternal life. It allows for an adherence to Christ with an undivided heart.I like girls. Isn't that incompatible with priesthood? No way! It is a good thing to like girls. The question is whether God offers you the grace to putaside the intimacy proper to the relationship of husband and wife, in order to take up a type of spiritual fatherhood in which you love a whole parish of people inclusively in a spiritual, non physical way. As a spiritual father, you spiritually raise the untold numbers of children in God's family. How difficult is celibacy?Celibacy can definitely be challenging, but for those God is calling to the priesthood, he promisesthe grace of celibacy. Like any gift it is not passively received, but is to be actively accepted. The virtue of chastity in the celibate state must be built up. This requires effort and vigilance, but it is not done alone; it is done with the help of God and the support of others.Will I be lonely as a priest?Solitude happens to everyone. There will ultimately be a space in a persons heart and life that cannot be filled by another thing or a person, not even a spouse. To prevent loneliness that space must be filled with the search for finding the Lord and seeking His face. It also allows the heart to be purified for service to God's People. ParentsMy parents and family don't take me to Church, but I want to go. What should I do?That is an awkward position to be in! Whatever the reasons for your family not going to Church, keep Sundays holy! If you can get a ride with a friend, classmate or neighbor that you and your family trust, perhaps that is the way. One day you might be in walking distance to get to Church or have a drivers license to be able to borrow the family car and drive there. Around Christmas time, children have a way of hounding their parents for all sorts of gifts. Have you ever considered asking persistently, but not in a nagging way, to go to Mass? What if my parents disagree that I should become a priest?You should always be respectful of your parents and you must always be faithful to the Lord. Show you parents Gods love. Stay close to Jesus and keep the faith and the vocation alive in your heart and mind. Sometimes conversely, parents may sense a calling to the priesthood that their son does not. The answer in both of these situations is the same. Give your parents a fair hearing. There is a reason that they feel the way they do. Ultimately remember that this decision is between you, God, and the Church.

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