Sept. 23, 2020

By Father Christopher C. Carrara
Vicar for Clergy & Director of Seminarians

In addition to being the pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Morristown, Hammond and Rossie, Bishop LaValley has appointed me the Vicar for Clergy, Director of Vocations, and Director of Seminarians. While life can certainly be busy, the truth is it is only possible to fulfill these various roles because of the generosity of the donors to the Bishop’s Fund Appeal. The Bishop’s Fund makes it possible for the Diocese to employ a very dedicated and competent individual, Catherine Russell, as diocesan Vocation coordinator. She and I collaborate well in the ministry of Vocations recruitment. Her salary and one-half of mine is subsidized by proceeds from the Bishop’s Fund.

Catherine does the lion’s share of the work in the office, and I am grateful. Since I believe she will be writing about vocations, I would like to share with you one responsibility that goes hand in hand with Vocations director, that of director of Seminarians.

As a diocese, we are blessed to have 14 men of varying ages and ethnic backgrounds in the program for priestly formation. As director of Seminarians I have the privilege of working with these men in the many aspects of their formation. I have an opportunity to visit them at least yearly at their seminaries, meet their professors, bring back any of their concerns to the bishop and, oh yes, take them out to dinner just like my father did for me when he visited me at college.

What is the relationship like? I suspect it is something like what a parent must experience when they have folks away at college. I get the phone calls to just talk, discussing joys and challenges, news about car problems or health issues and not being able to afford the bill, and so on. When I visit them at seminary I go to the equivalent of a “parent teacher conference,” where I meet with the rector and professors to review their progress in the areas of intellectual, spiritual, personal, and pastoral formation. I have to tell you, being director of Seminarians is a wonderful ministry because it gives me the chance to help future priests along the journey. At times, I must challenge them, encourage at other times, and support them all times. If not for the Bishop’s Fund, we could afford to send me to visit them, take them out to dinner, help with the occasional financial need or educate these very committed men. In the year and half I have held the position, I have been very impressed with these men and have been moved by their dedication and sincerity.

I should add as the Vicar for Clergy, I work with priests who the bishop asks to go on for further studies. It is also the Bishop’s Fund that makes this possible. Currently, Father Joseph W. Giroux is working on his degree in Canon Law. I do laugh when he sends me his grades to review. Don’t tell him, but he is a great deal smarter than I am! What I do know is higher education is expensive for both seminarians and priests, and your support makes it possible. I thank God for the blessing of dedicated seminarians and priests, and I thank you for making their training and support possible through your donations. Thank you and pray for vocations!