Chicago's Newly Ordained

[chicago]

Cardinal George is expected to ordain 11 new priests for the archdiocese May 17 at St. Juliana Church, 7201 N. Oketo. The men are a diverse group, with five from Poland, two from Tanzania, two from Mexico, one from Colombia and one from Ecuador. All accepted the Archdiocese of Chicago’s invitation to leave their homeland and minister to the church here.
The men are a younger group than those ordained in recent years, with an average of about 29.5 years old. Last year’s class of 13 had an average of nearly 33. They were welcomed as young men at Abramowicz Preparatory Seminary, for seminarians coming from Poland; Tuite House, for African-American and African young men discerning a call to the priesthood; and Casa Jesus, a house of discernment for young men from Latin America. The Catholic New World congratulates them.

Profiles at:

catholicnewworld.com/cnwonline/2008/0511/4.aspx

 

[mahalia]

May the powerful intercession of saint John Vianney be with them and may God bless their work and sacrifice abundantly!

 

[chicago]

Alas, not one native ordination.

Archdiocesan Vocations Director Fr. Joe Noonan has, along with the leaders of particular programs/houses established for immigrant men’s discernment, accomplished a notable endeavor of attracting and fostering vocations from abroad. Yet it leaves us to question where and why the Archdiocese has been on developing potential priests from among its own. This has, largely, been the story year after year in Chicago of late. Indeed, without the immigrant priests (who I am certainly thankful for) the Archdiocese of Chicago may well have had very few, if any, ordinations most years.

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Alas, not one native ordination.

Archdiocesan Vocations Director Fr. Joe Noonan has, along with the leaders of particular programs/houses established for immigrant men’s discernment, accomplished a notable endeavor of attracting and fostering vocations from abroad. Yet it leaves us to question where and why the Archdiocese has been on developing potential priests from among its own. This has, largely, been the story year after year in Chicago of late. Indeed, without the immigrant priests (who I am certainly thankful for) the Archdiocese of Chicago may well have had very few, if any, ordinations most years.

That certainly is bothersome and problematic. One is left to wonder what needs to be done (or needs to perhaps cease!) to start attracting local men to the priesthood. The vocations are out there.

 

[chicago]

The vocations are out there.

Indeed, they are… especially in an Archdiocese as large and significant as this. They just need to be properly developed. I’d like to hear the Cardinal Archbishop and his vocations director comment upon the situation and what they think has gone wrong (as well as to what degree they take responsibility for it.)

 

[bilop]

Alas, not one native ordination.

Archdiocesan Vocations Director Fr. Joe Noonan has, along with the leaders of particular programs/houses established for immigrant men’s discernment, accomplished a notable endeavor of attracting and fostering vocations from abroad. Yet it leaves us to question where and why the Archdiocese has been on developing potential priests from among its own. This has, largely, been the story year after year in Chicago of late. Indeed, without the immigrant priests (who I am certainly thankful for) the Archdiocese of Chicago may well have had very few, if any, ordinations most years.

This is interesting to me.

New York has refrained from recruiting foreign seminarians.

We have been ordaining 5-10 new priests per year recently, which is not great for such a large diocese, although there are reports of increased interest following the Pope’s visit.

Does anyone have any insights on these dramatically different vocation strategies?

God Bless

 

[chicago]

Does anyone have any insights on these dramatically different vocation strategies?

While I can’t speak in any way for the people in charge here, I do find it notable that this tact seems related to a desire to reach out and minister to particular immigrant groups and cultures which have not necessarily been providing their own vocations from among the resident population to an extensive degree.

As such, what amounts to a minor seminaries program for these men has been established with Casa Jesus for Hispanic men, Bishop Abramowicz Semninary for the Polish, and Tuite House for future potential priests hailing from African cultures.

As the website of Casa Jesus reads:

We try to focus our outreach to seminaries serving larger dioceses which have an abundant number of seminarians. Because of the growing Spanish-speaking population in Chicago that is primarily Mexican, and the lack of Hispanic priests, we feel this outreach is essential to increasing the number of priests able to serve the needs of the community. For many years, the priests of Chicago have served as missionaries in different parts of the world. Now, in our present situation, we too must see our Hispanic community as mission territory.

Also, this from the August 2004 newsletter of Fr. James Preta, Rector of St. Joseph’s College Seminary:

The Tuite House, located at St. Columbanus Parish in Chicago, was founded in 2000 as a house of formation and discernment for African-American and African men who desire to become priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago. The program was named after Fr. Howard Tuite, a priest of the Archdiocese who has devoted his entire priestly ministry to the African-American community. It is a one year residential program for post-college age men.

        The program has two components: Parish ministry (primarily in an African-American parish) and academic course work (at St. Joseph College Seminary).

        Beginning this Fall, the Tuite seminarians will become full-time, residential students at St. Joseph College Seminary.  The program will prepare these men for admission to Mundelein Seminary the following year.  The Tuite seminarians will be given a weekend pastoral assignment in a predominantly African-American Chicago parish while taking full advantage of the educational and formational opportunities available to them at St. Joseph College Seminary and Loyola University Chicago.

And from the Bishop Abramovicz Seminary:

Many nationalities make up the body of Holy Mother Church and though united in their common faith, they express this faith in the different languages, traditions and customs of their particular countries. In 1999/2000, in response to a need for Polish priests, the Bishop Alfred Abramowicz Seminary was founded, named in memory of Bishop Abramowicz who died in 1999. Bishop Abramowicz served the needs of the Polish community (Polonia) in Chicago for many years through a number of worthy endeavors, such as the Catholic League for Assistance to the Religious in Poland. As a pastoral leader, Bishop Abramowicz was aware of the lack of vocations; there was a diminishing numbers of those being called to the priesthood here in the U.S., and at the same time he observed in the Polish priests visiting here qualities of a true missionary Chicago Archdiocesan statistics state that 55 parishes have at least one mass celebrated on Sunday in the Polish language and often two or three. The American press reports that Poles are one of the largest ethnic groups in America, especially in Chicago. Based on these facts, the need for Polish priests seems evident. Polish seminarians recruited ultimately to serve in the Archdiocese of Chicago face a daunting and difficult task.
They must adjust to an unfamiliar environment; must learn to speak the English language; and they must familiarize themselves with the customs and culture in the U.S. in a fairly short time frame. For this reason, the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary was founded. Its purpose was to serve as a first stop for newly arriving recruits from Poland. (After one year, they transfer to the Archdiocesan Seminary in Mundelein-- Saint Mary of the Lake).

Polish seminarians coming to Chicago soon learn that the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary is a setting for intense learning, acclimation and work. Realizing the challenges of this transitional phase, seminary superiors are trained to provide a strong spiritual support and guidance system.

 

[chicago]

Well, whaddya know? Apparently there IS a native vocation this year (and an alumnus of Quigley, to boot), after all; albeit not to the Archdiocesan priesthood, specifically, but to be ordained for the Society of St. John Cantius. Here are the profiles of the two men being ordained for this religious community:

Being ordained at St. John Cantius on May 29 are:

Bartholomew Juncer, S.J.C., 50, was born in Waukegan, IL and graduated from St. Bartholomew Grade School in Waukegan and Quigley Preparatory Seminary (North). Juncer earned two B.A. degrees in Theology and communication arts, as well as an M.A. in religious education, from Loyola University in Chicago. He also earned his M.A. in school administration from DePaul University. Juncer’s professional career includes 25 years as a Catholic high school educator, the first four as a teacher and the last 21 as an administrator, including 10 years at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. He will celebrate his first Mass at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, at St. John Cantius Parish, 825 N. Carpenter, Chicago. He will be assigned to St. John Cantius Parish after his ordination.

Anthony Rice, S.J.C., 45, was born in Tuscaloosa, AL, and graduated from Holy Spirit Grade School in Tuscaloosa and Tuscaloosa High School. Rice earned a B.S. degree in secondary education/history and an M.A. degree in student personnel from the University of Alabama. He served at various times as the Director of Student Activities at North Carolina Wesleyan College, the University of South Carolina/Sumter and Georgia Southern University. He will celebrate his first Mass at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, at St.John Cantius Parish. He will be assigned to St. Peter Parish, 27570 Volo Village Rd., Volo, after his ordination.

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Chicacgo - you aren’t the least bit surprised to find out Chicagoans are getting ordained to the priesthood outside of the diocesan priesthood are you?

I grew up in a diocese that had a dearth of vocations… The diocesan newsletter would publish in an annual issue the names and photos of men from that diocese studying for the priesthood anywhere… It was embarassing (at the time) to see that YES there were men who answered the call and YES there were as many as 20 from the diocese- and only 2 or 3 of them FOR the diocese! All of them joined religous orders or OTHER diocese.

That was very telling.

 

[chicago]

Chicacgo - you aren’t the least bit surprised to find out Chicagoans are getting ordained to the priesthood outside of the diocesan priesthood are you?

Oh, of course not! In fact, I wish that the Archdiocese, itself, would admit to it rather than playing denial games (as if NO ONE from the diocese is getting ordained if they aren’t getting ordained FOR the Archdiocese.) I’m certainly happy and heartened to discover when men are ordained to be priests in their religious communities.

That said, what I’m wondering is why there are not any ordinations to the ARCHDIOCESAN priesthood from among the native Chicagoans (understood widely here as anyone from the area - not just in the parochial manner of “city” kids, alone.) It is a serious issue when a diocese can not produce ANY native vocations for ministerial service. That is how a diocese dies out. In order to be self sustaining, it is essential that there are men from that diocese ordained to its own secular priesthood. When there are not such ordinations, there is a matter of serious question as to what the challenges and problems are that make that situation so.

 

[ProVobis]

That said, what I’m wondering is why there are not any ordinations to the ARCHDIOCESAN priesthood from among the native Chicagoans (understood widely here as anyone from the area - not just in the parochial manner of “city” kids, alone.) It is a serious issue when a diocese can not produce ANY native vocations for ministerial service. That is how a diocese dies out. In order to be self sustaining, it is essential that there are men from that diocese ordained to its own secular priesthood. When there are not such ordinations, there is a matter of serious question as to what the challenges and problems are that make that situation so.

Chicago, do you know how many are currently studying for the priesthood in the archdiocese? Or studying away hoping to be ordained for the archdiocese?

 

[chicago]

Chicago, do you know how many are currently studying for the priesthood in the archdiocese? Or studying away hoping to be ordained for the archdiocese?

In many of the Catholic parishes, there are posters hung in vestibules listing (complete with pictures) Chicago’s seminarians. At present, it is something of a complete listing of those men at major seminary by year of study, “preseminarians” in philosophical “catch up” study, and college level seminarians. It does not include men in various discernment programs who have not applied or been formally accepted into the “seminary system” of the Archdiocese of Chicago. I am uncertain whether it includes men who are members of the institutions “Casa Jesus”, “Tuite House”, or “Bishop Abramoviz Seminary.”

The list includes a varying number of men; anywhere from 2 or 3 in one of the years of college seminary to maybe as many as a dozen in other classes. But I’d have to go count them up while looking at a poster to give anything more exact. This number would include anyone of immigrant background who is studying for the Chicago priesthood if he has formally entered these levels of discernment/study. So sorting out who, exactly, is native and who has been recruited from elsewhere could prove a bit challenging from that resource, alone.

I can say that there are a few more native vocations among these men than in previous years. Which is encouraging. Though it is by no means a particularly significant number.

It is also notable that the challenges in reorganization of the high school and college seminary dating to the early 90’s (which may have led to a loss of some vocations) had started to turn around, whereby there are now perhaps a dozen relatively recent alumni of Quigley enrolled at the college and major theologate levels of seminary for the Archdiocese of Chicago. How the closing of Quigley and concurrent establishment of a unique discernment program for high school students will affect the future development of vocations among youth remains to be seen.

I am uncertain as to what degree other recruitment and discernment programs for adult men (such as InSearch) have been fruitful and produced vocations for the Archdiocese from among the participants.

Last year the Archdiocese reorganized its vocations program and office to focus on more extensive (and regionalized) recruitment efforts along with retooled discernment programs in the hope of attracting and fostering more native vocations. How that seems to be going thus far, you’d have to ask of people closer to it.

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Hmmm…

Maybe Chicago needs to make sure Pope Benedict visits Chicago next time! It seems like wherever a pope visits, vocations get answered.

Start looking at ordinations that occur 6-11 years after a World Youth Day in a region. I think the results would be telling.

That being said, one diocese I know of that has had MUCH SUCCESS in recruiting vocations charges parish pastors with the responsibility of coming up with the names of 2-3 guys a year to send to the Vocations Director, who in turn get a letter inviting them to a Mass cathedral and a dinner with the bishop afterwards.

As HUGE of a no-brainer as this sounds…

You have to ASK for vocations! (Not just pray for them in a really vague way.)

It amazes me that 13+ years ago my friend Jorge and I were doing a volunteer project at a parish on a Saturday afternoon as High School seniors… A gent in street clothes came over and made some small talk - we figured out he was the pastor (this wasn’t our parish). In the course of the chat he learned we were Catholics, going to Catholic high school, and active in our home parishes. After some pleasantries he moved on and we continued our landscaping.

Two guys, beautiful early summer day, both Catholic, volunteering when we could have been drinking beer our older brothers bought us, or playing basketball or whatever…

Did he even casually suggest “You guys ever think about being priests?”

Nope.

Months later I found out that priest was the vocations director for the diocese. That explains why the diocese never had more than 4 seminarians at once in the seminary during the 80s and 90s. Usually it was 2.

You gotta ask for em to get em. The new DoV asks. He gets.

 

[ProVobis]

chicago and simple sinner, thanks for the replies. Good analysis.

 

[chicago]

That being said, one diocese I know of that has had MUCH SUCCESS in recruiting vocations charges parish pastors with the responsibility of coming up with the names of 2-3 guys a year to send to the Vocations Director, who in turn get a letter inviting them to a Mass cathedral and a dinner with the bishop afterwards.

As HUGE of a no-brainer as this sounds…

You have to ASK for vocations! (Not just pray for them in a really vague way.)

It amazes me that 13+ years ago my friend Jorge and I were doing a volunteer project at a parish on a Saturday afternoon as High School seniors… A gent in street clothes came over and made some small talk - we figured out he was the pastor (this wasn’t our parish). In the course of the chat he learned we were Catholics, going to Catholic high school, and active in our home parishes. After some pleasantries he moved on and we continued our landscaping.

Two guys, beautiful early summer day, both Catholic, volunteering when we could have been drinking beer our older brothers bought us, or playing basketball or whatever…

Did he even casually suggest “You guys ever think about being priests?”

Nope.

Months later I found out that priest was the vocations director for the diocese. That explains why the diocese never had more than 4 seminarians at once in the seminary during the 80s and 90s. Usually it was 2.

You gotta ask for em to get em. The new DoV asks. He gets.

It’s interesting that you mention this. Back in the day, such was expected of parishes in sending on a couple of boys each year to the minor (high school) seminary here. The priest and nuns picked out a couple of 8th graders and basically told them, “You’re going to Quigley.” The parish would often even pay tuition in whole or part. Last year, when Quigley closed, one of the reasons given was low enrollment. Maybe if the Archdiocese had just returned to dedicatedly identifying specific boys from the parishes who might make good candidates and sending them off to seminary, they could have had more priests.

 

[rien]

Alas, not one native ordination.

Archdiocesan Vocations Director Fr. Joe Noonan has, along with the leaders of particular programs/houses established for immigrant men’s discernment, accomplished a notable endeavor of attracting and fostering vocations from abroad. Yet it leaves us to question where and why the Archdiocese has been on developing potential priests from among its own. This has, largely, been the story year after year in Chicago of late. Indeed, without the immigrant priests (who I am certainly thankful for) the Archdiocese of Chicago may well have had very few, if any, ordinations most years.

I think this calls into question the argument an orthodox Bishop draws vocations. Bishop George is orthodox but native vocations are near non-existent in Chicago.

Maybe the problem is bigger than simply orthodoxy?

 

[bilop]

I think this calls into question the argument an orthodox Bishop draws vocations. Bishop George is orthodox but native vocations are near non-existent in Chicago.

Maybe the problem is bigger than simply orthodoxy?

It’s not just orthodoxy, it’s aggressive orthodoxy. Challenging the secular culture.

Also, large cities are generally among the most anti-religious environments in the US.

God Bless

 

[chicago]

It’s not just orthodoxy, it’s aggressive orthodoxy. Challenging the secular culture.

But, again, George is good at that. He’s been noted for even challenging Catholic collaborators and consultants who, perhaps, are not comfortable with a more active faith life that engages the culture while standing up for the unique value of Catholicism rather than compromising in deference for the variety of experiences (religious and otherwise) with which we tend to be comfortable as Americans. And he has repeatedly spoken of the significant challenge which we face as Americans who are infected with a Calvinistic culture. This man “gets it” and isn’t usually afraid to speak his mind.

Also, if I recall correctly, the cardinal used to ask every pastor to identify a couple of men who might make good priestly candidates when he came to their parish, sometimes meeting with these men, even.

Also, large cities are generally among the most anti-religious environments in the US.

You know, I’d have to seriously disagree with that. No where do I find faith more rich than within large cities (and often among immigrant culture of the city.) It is, indeed, where so many of our Irish, Polish, German vocations of years gone by came from. Chicago is a strong Archdiocese, significant to the country and world beyond even our own boundaries. Certainly, there are some significant challenges. But it isn’t exactly what one would consider an anti-religious environment. Catholicism is a significant part of the culture which (in ways more or less) pervades both city and suburbs.

 

[bilop]

But, again, George is good at that. He’s been noted for even challenging Catholic collaborators and consultants who, perhaps, are not comfortable with a more active faith life that engages the culture while standing up for the unique value of Catholicism rather than compromising in deference for the variety of experiences (religious and otherwise) with which we tend to be comfortable as Americans. And he has repeatedly spoken of the significant challenge which we face as Americans who are infected with a Calvinistic culture. This man “gets it” and isn’t usually afraid to speak his mind.

Also, if I recall correctly, the cardinal used to ask every pastor to identify a couple of men who might make good priestly candidates when he came to their parish, sometimes meeting with these men, even.

You know, I’d have to seriously disagree with that. No where do I find faith more rich than within large cities (and often among immigrant culture of the city.) It is, indeed, where so many of our Irish, Polish, German vocations of years gone by came from. Chicago is a strong Archdiocese, significant to the country and world beyond even our own boundaries. Certainly, there are some significant challenges. But it isn’t exactly what one would consider an anti-religious environment. Catholicism is a significant part of the culture which (in ways more or less) pervades both city and suburbs.

I don’t know. What’s the situation in Chicago with regards to Mayor Daley and the rest of the “machine” that claim to be Catholic but support the full agenda of the culture of death.

Has Cardinal George called them on that? I know in NY, Cardinal Egan only very recently called out Giuliani for unworthily receiveing Communion.

I’ve also heard that a fair number of heterodox Priests have free-reign, with the support of the machine., e.g Father Flagler.

I’m sure there is a fair amount of damage remaining from Cardinal Bernadin’s “stewardship”. I’ve read the stories of some of the disasterous Bishops he reccomended. I can only imagine the damage he caused in Chicago.

It also could be that in a very large diocese, the Bishops impact is muted.

God Bless

 

[chicago]

I don’t know. What’s the situation in Chicago with regards to Mayor Daley and the rest of the “machine” that claim to be Catholic but support the full agenda of the culture of death.

Has Cardinal George called them on that? I know in NY, Cardinal Egan only very recently called out Giuliani for unworthily receiveing Communion.

I’ve also heard that a fair number of heterodox Priests have free-reign, with the support of the machine., e.g Father Flagler.

Well, firstly, politicians do not an entire culture make. Honestly, I think that we probably focus too much attention on that. Important as it is, they are (ultimately) a relative few in relation to everyone else.

Now, that said, Chicago’s political environment is interesting. One must remember that the traditional Democratic “machine” here isn’t liberal. Rather, it is more traditional Democratic in nature. Most of those voters (while, perhaps in some cases, a bit more egalitarian than many a Republican) are likely more conservative in their values, even if they remain and vote the Democratic line. Actually, where the current Mayor Daley (as distinct from his dad) has made larger inroads is with the African American aldermen and in certain Hispanic wards. Again, these are populations which (as far as moral values are concerned) tend to not be pro-abortion or anything.

Are certain prominent Catholic politicians sometimes in general opposition to the Church’s teaching on this or that? Sure. Senator **** Durbin changed his pro-life position in the state legislature (and to a limited degree in the U.S. House) to be ardently pro-abortion in order to run for Senate. Mayor Daley has tended to favor expansion of benefits and rights for homosexuals. But, on the other hand, the state house leader Michael Madigan leans somewhat pro-life. So, certainly, the overall situation could be a lot worse. It’s been my understanding that the cardinal has certainly had numerous conversations with these men. Is it necessary that he “call them out” publically and try to make some sort of stand against them? And how does it connect with the topic at hand? What is THAT supposed to do for vocations? Draw political activists to the priesthood? Better, I think, to develop the life of the Archdiocese as best as possible in other ways less incindiary. Picking fights with politicians usually doesn’t accomplish much, after all, other than putting on a fireworks show. And sometimes it even backfires.

Concerning Fr. Pfleger, the cardinal has repeatedly expressed a certain displeasure with his ways. He has even questioned publically whether the man truly wants or ought to be a priest. But, of course, the cardinal earlier sought peace with his parish, walking door to door in an effort to evangelize. Ultimately, I wouldn’t make too much of this situation. He’s one pastor in a large Archdiocese. Sure, he gets a lot of play on a message board like this and even in the media. His social activism has a larger effect (probably for the good, in all honestly, even if you don’t agree with his tactics or beliefs.) But, locally speaking, he really isn’t affecting the day to day life of most Catholics or the Archdiocese beyond his own limited area of influence and occasional publicity stunts. Are there politicians who support him? I suppose so. But what difference does it make politically? It isn’t like the who’s the Mayor of Chicago is going to get decided based on what Fr. Pfleger thinks.

I’m sure there is a fair amount of damage remaining from Cardinal Bernadin’s “stewardship”. I’ve read the stories of some of the disasterous Bishops he reccomended. I can only imagine the damage he caused in Chicago.

Some of the auxiliaries (most of whom have now gone elsewhere) under Bernardin may have not been ideal. But they were something of natural selections just based upon the traditional “moving up the ladder” process. Who was named was essentially who might have been expected and considered promising. I don’t think it is necessarily reasonable to think that anyone else would have been named, instead, had another bishop been in town. Beyond the Archdiocese to the extent that Bernardin might have had influence, I suppose the same could be largely said. That’s just “Where the Church was” at that particular time in history.

Cardinal Bernardin was seen as the darling of the Catholic left. And, surely, he was. Though I don’t know if he was actually so liberal, himself. Was he “conservative” in the sense that other bishops might be thought? Well, no. But neither was he really anything but a great mind and lover of the Church; indeed her faithful servant. Problems with priests in the Archdiocese stem back to before he was around here. (Things were in some ways much worse when the much more conservative Cardinal Cody was Archbishop and faced financial scandal, among other troubles.) He just inherited them. He even is said to have tried (unsuccessfully) to put his foot down at times to genuine troubles. I find it to have been largely a sign of the times, more than anything. Actually, Bernardin can be seen as something of a hero in many ways. Not the least of which was his proactive policies on priestly sex abuse concerns. Had all the other bishops followed his lead, we may have not ended up with the problems we did a few years ago.

It also could be that in a very large diocese, the Bishops impact is muted.

I think that there is some truth to that, especially in our era. The bishop has to play the hand he is dealt and deal with what he has the best he can.