Discerning the Call: A Journey of Faith, Education, and Decision

Dear Readers,

I know I’ve been leaving you all in suspense, especially when it comes to sharing my journey toward the Priesthood. Rest assured, I’ve been working closely with my Spiritual Director, Fr. Juan, to deepen my understanding of my vocation and strengthen my spiritual life. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Chrism Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where I met three other men who are also discerning a call to the Priesthood. We had the chance to share a meal together afterward, and it was a truly beautiful day, filled with the inspiration and presence of the Holy Spirit.

In addition to this, I have a quick personal update: I’ve just submitted my final assignment for my Bachelor's Degree! With that major milestone behind me, I’m grateful for a short break before the big day on June 12th. However, as I move forward, I find myself at a crossroads—should I pursue full-time work to pay off my student loans, or continue my studies, which would mean taking on more debt? I plan to pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit and seek counsel from Fr. Juan to help me discern the next steps.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I’m also preparing for my road test, which is scheduled for May 16th. This will allow me to fulfill one of the final requirements set by the Diocese. Once that’s complete, I can focus more fully on my discernment and trust in God’s plan for me.

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to navigate this journey. And let us also pray for the soul of Pope Francis, who has been called home to the Creator, and ask for the intercession of Pope St. John Paul II to guide me through these trials of discernment.

In Christ,

Anthony




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In My Love, Abide: Another Weekend at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center

Image
Dear Friends, This weekend, I had the opportunity to “come, and rest awhile” at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford for my second themed retreat, titled In My Love, Abide . This theme is inspired by the Gospel of John, where Jesus says, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:9). I arrived Friday night a bit later than planned, as I had to stay at work a little longer than expected. Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by Ted, the retreat center’s registrar, who handed me my room assignment, which turned out to be the same as last year’s. This retreat was particularly special because I was joined by my brother Nicholas, who was attending for the first time. We started the evening with a delicious dinner, a wonderful way to begin our retreat experience. After dinner, we gathered in the main conference room for the introductory session, where the retreat team introduced them...
Read more

My Vocations Journey: First Steps

Image
Dear Readers, I am excited to share a significant update on my journey of faith. For some time now, I have felt a calling from the Lord to discern the priesthood in His Holy Church. After much encouragement from Fr. Juan, our newest Parochial Vicar, I reached out to the Diocese of Norwich to take the next steps in this discernment process. The journey has not been without its challenges, particularly with recent transitions in the vocations office staff. However, I was finally able to connect with the Diocese's new Vocations Director, Fr. Jeffrey R. Ellis. Until recently, Fr. Ellis served as the Parochial Vicar at St. Michael Parish in Pawcatuck, which is also the home parish of my late Parochial Vicar, Fr. George Richards. Fr. Ellis and I met for dinner at a local diner, where we had an in-depth conversation about my call to the priesthood, my family background, and various aspects of the vocations journey. He recommended a podcast to help deepen my understanding and suggested ...
Read more

Embracing Grace: A Year of Spiritual Awakening and Growth

Image
As the golden hues of autumn grace the world, marking the passage of time, I find myself on the cusp of a significant milestone in my spiritual journey. Just a few months ago, in the radiant glow of May, I embraced the sacrament of confirmation, a profound moment of commitment and devotion. And now, as the crisp air of October fills my lungs, I am poised to celebrate a year since I embarked on a transformative path—the path of attending Daily Mass. It was on the auspicious day of October 21, 2020, that I took my first steps into the hallowed sanctuary, drawn by a yearning to deepen my faith and commune with the divine. Little did I know that this simple act of attendance would blossom into a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual enrichment. Just two days later, on October 23rd, I officially embarked on the sacred voyage of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), a formal initiation into the Catholic faith. As I reflect upon the passage of time, I am filled with a...
Read more