They're teaming up to boost vocations

When Rev. John Molyn left his position as head of the diocesan Vocations Office in the fall to become pastor of St. John the Baptist parish in Valatie, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard decided to explore new forms of vocations ministry.

As a result, a new "vocations team" has been appointed to succeed Father Molyn: Rev. Thomas Konopka, pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Greenwich; Rev. James Walsh, associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, Delmar; and Sister Katherine "Kitty" Hanley, CSJ.

Sister Kitty is vocations director for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and a faculty member and spiritual formation director for St. Bernard's Institute, the Diocese's graduate school of theology and ministry. All three will continue in their current positions as well as serving on the team.

The trio were chosen from names submitted by the priests of the Diocese because of their commitment to religious life, their energy to take on this challenge and the way they model their vocations for others, said Sister Kitty. "We're thrilled and delighted," she remarked. "We all really believe in this."

Each member of the team has taken responsibility for one specific aspect of vocations work:

* Father Konopka is serving as a contact, companion and mentor for seminarians preparing for diocesan priesthood, visiting them about twice a year;

* Father Walsh is the contact person for men who are discerning whether they are called to the priesthood, leading a support group and guiding them through the application process; and

* Sister Kitty provides basic information, particularly to parishes looking for resources or guest speakers on vocations. She has also been leading a support group for some time for women interested in religious life, and is re-editing a booklet titled "Call and Response" on the work of religious communities in the Diocese.

Much of the team's work will involve education, she explained. The Diocese instituted the "Future Full of Hope" vocations program more than a year ago, and at least 50 parishes now have vocations committees up and running.

But "many Catholics do not know what Father does all day after he says Mass, don't know what Sister does all day and don't know any Brothers at all," she said. The team may speak to a parish vocations committee about their ministry or arrange for a candidate to "shadow" a priest in his daily duties.

In addition, the team will distribute videos, handouts and a poster that is now being designed, and take vocations ministry into the future by developing the office's web page.

Sister Kitty noted that the Vocations office is open to "second-career" vocations, as is evidenced by the Diocese's newest priest, Rev. Mark Cunningham (see separate story), who is 51. Two novices of the Sisters of St. Joseph are also in their 40s and 50s.

"There's no magic age," she said. "The question is not, `How old are you?' but `Do you have the stamina?'"

While the team hopes to be contacted directly by those who may feel called to a vocation, Sister Kitty said that most people approach their parish priest first. She hopes those priests will refer people to the team and added that the trio hope to have "a presence in areas other than the Capital District."

That Catholics of the Diocese are interested in vocations is obvious, said Sister Kitty. At an Advent evening of reflection for parish vocation committees, bad weather and the fact that the gathering was on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception led organizers to believe they would have a small crowd. Instead, 65 people attended.

"The Diocese has always been very supportive of vocations," the new team member stated. "This is a deepening of the commitment that was already there. We're very interested in feedback for ways we can be of service."

(Contact the vocations team at 453-6670.)

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