Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin (USA), OFFICE OF VOCATIONS

"Opening the Door to God's Call"

Several times each year, we have gatherings for young men to discuss how to listen to and discover God's call in a world of busyness and distraction. In particular, there will be an invitation to consider the call to priesthood. Typically we have an older priest and a younger priest share personal stories of God's call in their lives. We will also have a seminarian share how he is discerning the Lord's call right now in his life. The evening begins with Evening Prayer at 5:30pm and will be followed by supper, the presentations, and a question-answer session. To register for this evening, please call the Office of Vocations at (608) 791-2666 or email Father Hirsch.

The dates for this year are:
· Tuesday, February 10, 2004, St. Bernard Parish, Abbotsford
· Thursday, April 15, 2004, 5:30-8:00 pm, St. Bede Monastery, Eau Claire.

More information on the Feb. 10 date:

Who: High school age and older. -- When: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 -- Where: St. Bernard Parish, Abbotsford.

Address: 101 W. Cedar St. St. Bernard Parish phone: 715-223-3331
Directions: Coming from East or West take Exit Hwy 13, but not Business 13. Drive north into town. At thestoplight continue going north. Shortly after passing the County Market Grocery Store, turn left on Cedar Street. Continue west over the railroad tracks and take first left after the railroad crossing. You will see the Church complex in front of you.

Registration: To register for this evening, please call the Office of Vocations at 608-791-2667 or email Fr. Joseph Hirsch, Director of Vocations at jhirsch@ dioceseoflacrosse.com.

Announcements: Would all pastors in the deaneries surrounding Abbotsford please announce this in their bulletins, schools, and religious Ed class, as well as invite some of the young men from your parish. Your help is necessary and deeply appreciated.

St. John Vianney College Seminary Open House

(Thursday, February 19, 2004, from 6:00pm to Saturday February 21 at noon)

Twice each year, SJV holds an open house for young men of high school and college age who are considering entering the college seminary to discern a call to the priesthood. The men arrive on Thursday evening and join the seminarians and other guests from the campus of the University of St. Thomas for Benediction, Mass, and a talk by one of the senior seminarians. The next day, the men attend some morning classes with the seminarians, afterward listening to the rector outline the details of being a college seminarian. After a Friday evening a socializing, the men attend a closing Mass Saturday morning.

To find out more about the Open House,Click here. To attend attend an Open House, email Father Hirsch or call the Office of Vocations at (608) 791-2666.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary Open House

(Saturday, February 7, 2004, from 2:00pm to Monday, February 9, 2004 at 1:00pm, or Saturday, March 6, 2004, from 2:00pm to Monday, March 8, 2004 at 1:00pm)

IHM Seminary also hosts open houses. Once again, contact Father Hirsch at (608) 791-2666 if you would like to take advantage of this experience.

Dare to Follow Days

This retreat is an excellent opportunity for boys and young men from 7th grade through college, held in three different sessions each summer. Contact Father Hirsch at (608) 791-2666 if you or your son are interested in attending one of these fun retreats. There will be pick-up points throughout the diocese.

· Dare to Follow Retreat for Grades 9 and 10: Sunday, June 27, 2004, 6:00pm to Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 1:00pm at Holy Cross Center, La Crosse.
· Dare to Follow Retreat for Grades 7 and 8: Wednesday, June 30, 2004, 6:00pm to Friday, July 2, 2004 at 1:00pm at Holy Cross Center, La Crosse.
· Threshold Retreat for Grades 11 and above: Wednesday, July 7, 2004, 5:00pm to Friday, July 9, 2004 at 1:00pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona.

Fr. Brian Konopa observes to miniature golf game of a participant at Dare to Follow Days.

Hearing God's Call:

TEAM Vianney is a Catholic movement of Senior High Men (9th-12th Grade) in the Archdiocese of St. Paul. Once a month they have meetings on campus open to young men of high school age. On the following dates we will plan to bring interested young men from the Diocese of La Crosse to spend an evening and overnight on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Students will stay at the seminary with our seminarians. This will be a good opportunity to listen to dynamic speakers and to meet seminarians and other high school students who are seeking to grow in what it means to listen to God's call. Call the Vocations Office for more details at (608) 791-2666.

The dates for Team Vianney are:
· Thursday, February 5, 2004
· Thursday March 4, 2004
· Thursday April 1, 2004

 

2002-2004. Office of Vocations, Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin (USA). Questions and Comments? Contact The Administrator.