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As is true for many priests, Rev. Joseph Dworak originally planned another career. 

"I studied chemical engineering at RPI and was going to pollute the planet," he said with a laugh. 

A small inner voice detoured him one day near the end of college: "I went to church to pray and ask the Lord for direction."

He was led to enter studies for the priesthood. But even then, he realized that he had time to reconsider. 

"The seminary is a time of discernment as well as training," said Father Dworak, pastor of St. Mary/St. Paul's parish in Hudson Falls. His doubts slowly evaporated: "At my ordination, I knew it was God's will."

His insights encouraged a group of men who attended a recent pasta dinner with priests, seminarians and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard. The effort by the Albany diocesan Vocations Office takes a direct approach to reaching potential priests. 

Come and eat
"We're trying to get priests and parish life directors to identify single men that have the gifts and talents to be good priests and invite them to dinner," said Rev. James Walsh. He and Sister Rosemary Cuneo, CR, make up the vocations team for the Diocese. 

The dinner, held at St. Michael the Archangel parish in South Glens Falls, was the third of five such events. The others were in Glenville and Herkimer. Each has drawn eight to 12 men - most young, some middle-aged. 

Two more dinners are scheduled: Oct. 20 at St. Augustine's parish in Troy and Nov. 9 at St. Mary's in Oneonta (see www.albanyvocations.org). 

The potential candidates at the recent dinner were contemplating their futures and life's big decisions. Most of the priests and seminarians who spoke had shared those concerns and questions - and, often, so had their parents. 

For example, when Father Dworak mentioned that he was considering a vocation, he recalled, "My father thought I was crazy."

Today, young men considering the priesthood report similar reactions. Vocations officials have said that family resistance is often the major barrier on the path. 

Others had to overcome their own doubts and negative feelings. Rev. G. Anthony Childs, pastor at St. Michael's and host of the dinner, recalled that after his mother died of cancer when he was young, "me and God were not on the best terms for a while."

He drifted back to the Church after joining a faith-sharing group under the Renew 2000 program and later joined the parish council.

When a previous vocations effort, "Called by Name," occurred, Father Childs said that "seven or eight people named me as a likely candidate."

Rev. Peter Pagones said he first mentioned an interest to his mother when his age was measured in single digits. The interest persisted. 

"Later on, I realized, 'I will never know unless I pursue it,'" he said, telling the dinner attendees with conviction: "I couldn't think of anything that would give me more fulfillment and help me see that there's more to life."

Dinners with a bishop have been used in other dioceses. 

"Archbishop Harry Flynn [of St. Paul/ Minneapolis, a native of the Albany Diocese] said that every one of his seminarians originally sat around his table and had pasta with him," Father Walsh noted.

For most of those who have attended a dinner so far in Albany, he added, "This is their first exposure, but most had thought about [a vocation] already."

As people settled down to dessert, Father Walsh challenged them to heed their deeper desires. Speaking afterwards, he said: "We ask to take a chance on the Lord and take a look at their life - and, if that means taking a further look at the priesthood, that they have the courage to do that."

As did his peers, Rev. Dominic Ingemie, pastor of St. Peter's in Saratoga Springs, said he never regretted taking that step. 

"My vocation and choice has been confirmed over and over," he stated. "It's been an incredible privilege."

Unexpected
Some of the priests' worst fears were converted into blessings. 

"My father told me that his only regret would be that he wouldn't have any grandchildren," recalled Father Pagones. "I told him, 'God will bless you in other ways.'"

After his ordination, Father Pagones' parents' house became a hangout for neighborhood youths. 

"My father ended up telling me, 'I was afraid I wouldn't have any grandchildren. Now I have too many.'"

(08/13/09)[[In-content Ad]]

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