Sept. 7, 2016

Ogdensburg - Bishop Terry R. LaValley announced the implementation of a new Vocation Promotion Plan for the Diocese of Ogdensburg. The new plan calls for the restructuring of the Office of Vocations.

The Vocations Promotion Plan and the restructuring of the Office of Vocations are a direct result of the Envisioning Leadership Process led by Bishop LaValley in 2013-2014.

“Our Envisioning Leadership Process made clear the need for our parishes to create a culture of vocations that promotes vocational awareness and supports vocational discernment” Bishop LaValley said.

“While we continue to focus on the call to the ordained priesthood due to our current need for priests, we also recognize the need to promote and support all vocations,” he said.

The Vocations Promotion Plan structures the Office of Vocations for the implementation of the We Are Called vocation plan. This vocation plan guides parishes in creating a culture of vocations.

A key element of the We Are Called plan is the formation of vocation committees in every parish to promote and encourage all vocations.

We Are Called highlights the universal call to holiness.

“By reminding our people about the universal call to holiness, we set all vocations in their proper context and create a culture in which each person faithfully responds to God’s call”, said Bishop LaValley.

“All vocations arise in the context of the family,” he said. “Therefore, we need to support and encourage the Sacrament of Marriage as a response to the call to holiness. In the context of the family all vocations are nurtured.”

The Office of Vocations is being restructured to implement and support the We Are Called vocation plan. The Office will include a Diocesan Vocation Coordinator who will assist parishes in the implementation of the We Are Called vocation plan, and manage the overall administration of the office.

New vocation leaders
Bishop LaValley has appointed Catherine Russell as the Diocesan Vocation Coordinator.

Miss Russell is originally from Watertown and is a graduate of Immaculate Heart Central High School. She has a strong background in education, having taught in Catholic schools for many years, serving as Guidance

Counselor at Crown Point Central School, and most recently serving as Principal of Seton Catholic Central School in Plattsburgh.

Miss Russell has also been active in the Church, serving as a lector and member of the Catholic Daughters in her parish of St. Alexander’s in Morrisonville.

She has been a Sister of St. Joseph associate for many years, and served on the We Are Called vocation committee.

In accepting this position, Miss Russell said, “I am so grateful to Bishop LaValley for this opportunity to continue serving the Church I love in this new position. I love this new position and it is a challenge to which I look forward.”

Working with the new Vocation Coordinator will be Father Douglas Lucia, who will serve as Diocesan Vocation Director, and Father Thomas Higman, who will serve as Associate Vocation Director.

The Vocation Directors will accompany persons interested in a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life in order to guide them in the discernment process. The Vocation Directors will also work with the Diocesan Vocation Coordinator in promoting Vocations throughout the diocese.

Fathers Lucia and Higman will succeed Father Bryan Stitt, who has served as Diocesan Vocation Director for nine years.

“I wish to thank Father Bryan Stitt for his tireless work as Vocation Director. He has held this position for nine years,” said Bishop LaValley. “Being Vocation Director is a challenging ministry and I am grateful for Father Stitt’s determination and dedication in this position.

“As Father Stitt accepts a new assignment, I want to express my gratitude for his fine service,” the bishop said.
Father Douglas Lucia will continue to serve as pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Canton, Adjutant Judicial Vicar and Episcopal Vicar for Worship and Family Life.

“I am most grateful to Father Lucia for undertaking these new responsibilities,” said Bishop LaValley. “Father Lucia brings a great deal of knowhow and energy to this position.”

Father Thomas Higman, the Associate Vocation Director, will continue to serve as administrator of St. Bernard’s Church, Lyon Mountain and St. Edmund’s Church in Ellenburg.

“Father Higman has gifts and talents that will make him effective in this new position,” said Bishop LaValley. “I am most grateful for his willingness to serve in this position.”

“I am excited about the restructuring of the Office of Vocations,” said Bishop LaValley. “We are responding to the call from the grass roots for a culture of vocations in our diocese.”

“Let us pray that the Master of the harvest will bless our efforts and send workers into the vineyard,” he said.