Discernment house now open

The sign outside still says "rectory," but the building next door to the former St. Anne's parish in Waterford has become something quite different: St. Isaac Jogues "house of discernment" for men considering the priesthood.

It opened less than a month ago, but four men have already moved in:

* James Ebert and Qui Vo, candidates for the priesthood in the Albany Diocese who will enter the seminary next year;

* a young man named Dan (last name withheld) who is considered a "serious discerner" of a priestly vocation; and

* Rev. James Walsh of the diocesan Vocations Team, who divides his time between leading the group and serving as associate pastor of St. Pius X parish, Loudonville.

'Hub' for vocations

"When your diocese doesn't have a seminary," Father Walsh told The Evangelist, "you're at a disadvantage, because you don't have a 'hub' for vocations" -- a place for men thinking about a call to the priesthood to gather and learn about what that call might mean.

But the Albany Diocese heard about houses of discernment in other dioceses, and the Vocations Team decided the idea might work here, as well.

St. Anne's parish had just closed in June (the church has since been leased to a Wesleyan Methodist parish), so the fully-furnished, six-bedroom rectory was available. The idea quickly became reality.

At home

For Mr. Ebert, Mr. Vo and Dan, it also became home. The two candidates work part-time and participate in the pre-theology graduate program at Siena College in Loudonville. Mr. Ebert also takes classes at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany. Dan works full-time but participates in the "spiritual life" of the house.

"I'm a homebody, very close to my family," stated Mr. Ebert, a Siena alumnus. "This is a good stepping-stone. I'm able to see my family, my friends. I feel very comfortable here."

The candidates said that living in the house of discernment is giving them a chance to learn more about the priesthood before entering the seminary. The house's residents and Father Walsh have morning prayer together as often as possible, given their varying work and study schedules, and get together for Mass in the evenings in the house's chapel.

The residents have one free weekend each month and a curfew on certain nights. A large calendar in the kitchen notes items like "Dan -- work" and "Qui -- class" to keep everyone's agendas straight.

Together

All four men eat dinner together at least three days a week. Since God speaks to us through the people we meet, said Father Walsh, "I like to talk to the guys [at dinner] about what people are saying to them in the events of their lives."

The priest also talks to the others about his own days, giving them insights about a priest's everyday work: for example, how to deal with a couple who need sensitive treatment in order to feel comfortable marrying in the Church and remaining Catholic.

"I explain to these guys, `This is the situation. You've got to be pastoral,'" Father Walsh noted. "One of my responsibilities is to fill in the gaps. The seminary is good at `head stuff'; they'll know theology inside out. But it's the little things that help you love your people more efficiently."

Bonuses

The group also meets with Rev. Thomas Konopka, another member of the diocesan Vocations Team, to discuss topics like prayer and meditation.

Another plus is that the residents are getting to know one another, an important thing for men who may well spend the next six years attending the same seminary.

"This is a brand-new experience, but I'm open to new experiences," remarked Mr. Vo, who works as an organist at St. John/St. Ann's parish in Albany. "I want to get to know the area of service" through Church ministry.

He was referring to an upcoming development for the house's residents: They will be assigned some sort of ministerial work to get to know different areas of the Diocese. Father Walsh said the men may work for a few months in a nursing home, then in a soup kitchen, college campus ministry office, religious education class and so on.

Getting the basics

By the time the men actually leave for the seminary, they hope to "hit the ground running."

Father Walsh noted that the group is even learning to cook for themselves, since today's priests can't assume they'll have housekeepers, boasting: "Qui is an excellent Vietnamese cook!"

As the residents of St. Isaac Jogues House settle into their new home, they're also sharing the space with discernment groups that meet there once a month -- college-age men who are beginning to consider a call to the priesthood. The residents will speak to the group about their own experiences so far.

Having a "focal point" for vocations, said Father Walsh, "helps us raise awareness. People can identify with this as a place where discernment takes place -- and the guys are getting a chance, before they go to the seminary, to get to know the Diocese."

Discussions

St. Isaac Jogues House can house five men in addition to Father Walsh, but men must be considered "serious discerners" of a call to the priesthood to apply. Father Walsh said that he generally knows such men because they've attended his monthly discernment group.

Serious discerners can live in the house for up to a year as they decide whether they will apply for the priesthood, and are expected to pay a modest amount for room and board. Candidates who have already been accepted to study for the priesthood for the Albany Diocese have their room and board covered. They complete a year of pre-theology studies while living in the house.

(Two open houses will be held in the next few months to acquaint former St. Anne's parishioners, neighbors and other interested parties with St. Isaac Jogues House. For information, call the diocesan Vocations Office at 453-6670.)

(10/2/03) [[In-content Ad]]