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Vocations

Where are our Seminarians this Summer?

As we prepare to welcome summer, we also welcome back our four seminarians, Bruce, Greg, Morgan, and Nathan to the Archdiocese.

  • Bruce will be completing a Clinical Pastoral Education Unit at a hospital in London, ON. He will then return to the diocese at the end of the summer to begin his pastoral year at Divine Mercy Parish in Dartmouth for the year.
  • Greg returns to the Catholic Diocesan Centre this summer and will support the ministry and work of our team in the Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax Office.
  • Morgan will spend the summer serving at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica assisting the pastoral team at the parish and taking on the role of Cathedral tour guide for the summer.
  • Nathan joins the team in the Office of Pastoral Life and New Evangelization at Catholic Diocesan Centre. He will help out with a number of initiatives and projects, most notably our annual youth conference Steubenville Atlantic.

 Last week we shared with you an update from Bruce and Morgan. This week we offer a glimpse of what Nathan was up to this year.

Nathan Hoffman
Home Parish: Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica
Studying at St. Augustine’s Seminary, Toronto, ON

Over the past academic year, I have been completing a one-year Philosophy Diploma at St. Augustine’s Seminary. This is my second out of seven years in Seminary formation. St. Augustine’s philosophy program is an intensive introduction to Catholic philosophies. Through our courses we learn how to engage with different philosophical and social viewpoints from a Catholic perspective. It also provides a strong philosophical foundation for my future theological studies. Some of my favorite courses from this program include Metaphysics, Philosophy of Nature and Natural Theology, and Contemporary Philosophy. Metaphysics and Philosophy of Nature and Natural Theology were especially interesting for me as they tackle the fundamental realities of existence, being, at what we can learn and know about God through our reason. Contemporary Philosophy engaged me by presenting the philosophical origins of many of the worldviews found in the culture and helping me to formulate a Catholic response to them. Overall, the academics of the past year have made me excited to continue my theological formation in the coming years.

In addition to studies, I have been spending most weekends serving at a Parish just outside of Toronto. Some of my highlights at the Parish include: helping to lead children’s liturgy, serving at Mass, and giving a reflection and sharing my vocation story at all the Masses one weekend. All of these experiences have been a blessing and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned back home in Halifax.

  • * Prayer to Know One's Vocation

    Lord, my God and my loving Father, you have made me to know you,
    to love you, to serve you, and thereby to find and to fulfill myself.
    I know that you are in all things, and that every path can lead me to you.
    But of them all, there is one especially by which you want me to come to you.
    Since I will do what you want of me, I pray you, send your Holy Spirit to me:
    into my mind, to show me what you want of me; into my heart,
    to give me the determination to do it, and to do it with all my love,
    with all my mind, and with all my strength right to the end.

    Amen

  • * Heavenly Father

     

    St. John Vianney 352x600

    Saint John Vianney


    Almighty and Eternal God, You have poured out on your priests the blessing of the Holy Spirit
    as they share in the priesthood of Christ your Son. We praise You for giving this gift to Your Church.

    Through Your priests, Your people are sanctified and invited into the mysteries of Christ. We thank You for their generous service. Grant to your priests the gift of joy in ministry and life.
    Renew them each day in their consecrationfor the salvation of the world.

    Lord, hear our prayers for those You are calling into Your service now.
    Bless them with an openness to Your will and a love for Your holy people.

    May all your priests be renewed in holiness through the example of your servant St. John Vianney.
    Filled with the fire of your love, may they do all for your greater glory.

    We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

    Amen.

  • * Discernment Community Application

    University Chaplains pic lightened

     
    "A place where people gather to freely discern their vocation to holiness and mission."

    Holy Cross Chaplaincy exists to live lifelong community, giving students an experience of relationship that lays deep roots for their whole life long. The Household Program is more than a place to live; it is a way of life meant to form young people into lifelong relationship and fulfilling vocation. It’s the heart of our community and the primary place we live out our “why.” Participants in the household program commit to three ideals:

    1. Deep relationship with God
    2. Healthy community life with each other and the outside community
    3. Vocational discernment

    These three things, lived well, hopefully help to form program participants into activated parish leaders, fulfilled in their vocations.

    Discernment Community Application (fillable PDF)
    email the Application back to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
    www.hcchaplaincy.ca

     

  • * Vocation to the Priesthood

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     “The priesthood is not a career, it is way of being.
    It is a life of sacrifice and service because it is the life of our Lord.“
    Vocations Centre Sydney

     

    • Every Catholic man, at one point in his life should consider a Vocation to the Priesthood, even if he is not intending to become a priest.
    • Many men today, do not have a clear understanding of what a Priest is, and what it means to be a Priest.
    • Being a Priest means devoting yourself to the people of God, to be their Shepherd at all points of their life.
    • Please see the link below to learn more: www.vocationcentre.org.au/home/what-is-a-vocation/priesthood