August day set for vocations Q&A

The associate pastor of St. Pius X Church in Loudonville and member of the diocesan Vocations Team is hosting a "Thinking of Priesthood Day" on August 5 at the parish. He hopes single men between their junior year of high school and age 45 consider the possibilities the priesthood holds for them.

"It's a day of information about the priesthood and prayer for people who have thought about priesthood," Father Walsh said.

The day will include prayer, presentations, and opportunities for questions and answers, but Father Walsh isn't making a hard sell or trying to pressure men into joining the priesthood.

A seminarian and seminary applicant from the Albany Diocese will be among the presenters, and they will answer many questions, such as:

* How do you know if you're called to be a priest?

* What does a priest do all day?

* What are the requirements and qualities needed for priesthood candidates?

* What's it like being in the seminary?

* What about finances and the application process?

* Where do you go from here?

Father Walsh has hosted another such day since joining the Vocations Team and kept in touch with some of the men who came to that event. He feels confident that there are good candidates for priesthood in the Albany Diocese and encourages men who are thinking about priesthood to "talk to people, pray about it, get involved in ministry.

"When I thought about this commitment, I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. If you ask God for the grace to discern, He will give it to you."

("Thinking of Priesthood Day" takes place August 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at St. Pius X Parish Hall in Loudonville. Lunch will be provided. For information, call 453-6670 or 462-1336.)

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