Vocations weighed by Catholic teens and their bishops

The Congress, which is designed to bring young people and bishops together to listen to and learn from one another, addressed vocations and how God calls each person to live a life of holiness.

The Albany diocesan delegation included Brandon Pettit, a parishioner at St. Pius X Church, Loudonville, and a junior at Christian Brothers Academy; and Amy Scott, a junior at Ichabod Crane School and member of St. John the Baptist Church, Valatie.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard was among the 51 bishops gathered for the Congress. Also on hand as adult small-group facilitators were two members of our the Albany diocesan Vocations Team: Sister Kitty Hanley and Rev. Jim Walsh.

The goals of this year's Congress included assisting young people in naming how God is present in their lives, as well as developing strategies for the Church to invite and support young people as they discern their vocational call.

A vocations panel, which included priests, religious, married couples and single persons, was assembled to answer questions from the young people gathered. The questions the young people posed were profound and thought-provoking, such as "What happens when you don't respond to your vocational call?"

One of the married persons on the panel replied, "When you respond, the Church is more complete; when one denies the call, the Church is diminished."

Sister Ann Cassidy from the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas, responded, "We have to step up to the plate and be who we are called to be."

Brandon admitted being pleasantly surprised by the event, saying: "The Congress wasn't what I thought it would be. I expected it to be convincing me to be a priest. Instead, the Congress taught us how to listen to God's call. It was a great experience, and now I will be more able to listen for what God is calling me to do."

Bishop Hubbard provided the closing remarks of the Congress. To the young people, he said, "You inspire us, your shepherds," and he praised them for their enthusiasm and their willingness to share their faith with their bishops and others.

(12-13-01) [[In-content Ad]]