Announced at the Vatican by His Holiness Pope Francis March 13, 2015 during the Great Fast (Lent), the Jubilee Year of Mercy will commence on the feast of the Maternity of Holy Anna (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) and will … Continue reading →

Over the weekend of October 16, 17, and 18, I had the privilege of attending the “Come and See” Retreat at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. From the moment I walked in the doors to the moment I left on Sunday evening, I felt extremely welcomed and part of a new family. It was so great to meet the other 19 “retreatants” coming from the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and the Eparchies of Passaic, Parma, and Phoenix. Together, we found ourselves in deep prayer throughout the weekend and also had many opportunities to speak candidly with the current seminarians about their journey.

Now a senior in college, I have considered the priesthood since my youth, and being able to hear the different stories and perspectives of the seminarians was very helpful for my own discernment. Of course, we also had time for recreation, when we enjoyed some friendly competition during an exciting game of bowling complemented with ice cream.

One of my favorite parts of the retreat was visiting local Byzantine parishes for Sunday Liturgy with our respective Seminarian Mentors. During my visit to St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church in North Huntingdon, I was able to further experience life as a seminarian and priest through teaching, worship, and service to the community. I feel so blessed to have had this Come and See experience and I look forward to continuing my discernment through prayer and conversation with the seminarians. Continue reading →

Houston Parish Outreach Provides ‘A Pleasant Way to Meet the Lord’ For more than two years a small group of Catholic women (and now one man!) has been coming together every Wednesday night in their apartment complex, Kingwood Senior Village … Continue reading →

The annual Fall Retreat for clergy of the Archeparchy was held Oct. 4-8 at Antiochian Village near Latrobe, Pa. Coordinated by members of the Archeparchy’s Presbyteral Council, the five-day respite was led by retreat master Most Rev. Peter Libasci, Bishop … Continue reading →

‘Family: The Foundation of Consecrated Life’ What Laity can Learn from Consecrated Lives (Part 3 of 4) The theme for this year’s St. Nicholas Event is “Family: The Foundation of Consecrated Life.” This theme highlights two major overlapping events: the … Continue reading →

National Vocation Awareness Week (Nov. 1-7, 2015) is an annual week-long celebration in Catholic Churches of the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew prayers and support … Continue reading →