College

I too was 20, like you. I enjoyed sports, skiing, acting. I studied and I worked. I had desires and worries. In those years, now so long ago, when my native Land was wounded by war and then by the totalitarian regime,
I sought the meaning to give to my life. I found it in following the Lord Jesus.

National Meeting of Young Catholics of Switzerland (2004)
Address of John Paul II



Here I Am Lord
Andrew Dinners
A Day at Mundelein
Exploring Priesthood Weekend
Bread of Life Retreat




Here I Am Lord:

"Here I Am Lord" is a Vocations Conference. This year the National Conference will be held on March 4-7, 2010 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in St. Charles, IL. The goal of Here I Am Lord is to bring teens and young adults together to learn and experience the beauty and joy of all Christian Vocations. Click on the file below for more information.

"About Here I Am Lord Conferences"

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Andrew Dinners:

This opportunity consists of dinner, evening prayer, informal conversations and the sharing of vocation stories with priests, an auxiliary Bishop, and those men who are interested in the priesthood. 2008-2009 Scheduled Andrew Dinners are as follows:


 
Date Host Parish Time Contact Name Contact Phone Vicariate
22-Nov-09 St. Mary of the Annunciation 5:30 p.m. Fr. Robert Fedek 847-223-0010 I
25-Oct-09 Our Lady of Perpetual Help 6:00 p.m. Fr. Jack Jura 847-966-8145 II
01-Nov-09 St. Agnes of Bohemia 5:30 p.m. Fr. Rene Mena
Fr. Andre Beltran
773-522-0142
312-243-7400
III
06-Dec-09 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Melrose Park
6:00 p.m. Fr. Michael Scherschel 773-637-6565 IV
06-Dec-09 St. Michael
Orland Park
6:00 p.m. Fr. Adan Sandoval 708-349-0903 V
04-Dec-09 St. Joseph College Seminary 6:00 p.m. Fr. Gerald Walsh 773-973-8848 SJCS

For more information or to register, please call the contact listed or Fr. Brian Welter at 312-534-8298 or bwelter@archchicago.org

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A Day at Mundelein

Spend a day “as a seminarian” attending class, praying with the community, sharing meals together, and joining in our community Mass can be very helpful for discernment. You are encouraged to consider joining us this upcoming year. Contact Fr. Chris Ciomek at 847-970-4841 or e-mail him if interested.

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Exploring Priesthood Weekend

Discernment weekends are hosted by Mundelein Seminary on the following dates:

October 8–10, 2010
January 7–9, 2011
April 8–10, 2011

These weekends will feature presentations on:

• Practical steps in discerning one's vocation
• Becoming more fully a disciple of Jesus Christ
• Vocational journeys of priests & how they came to understand God's call
• Prayer opportunities including the celebration of the Eucharist and Night Prayer
• Seminarian-led presentation on what life is like in a seminary, including its main components: academic, human, spiritual, and pastoral formation
• Additional opportunities to talk with seminarians candidly about their lives and vocations

We encourage men to make full use of the Weekend by asking questions, visiting our chapels for prayer and meditation, and utilizing the recreational facilities (gymnasium, pool, racquetball courts, weight room, lake, wooded paths) and by listening more closely to the voice of God speaking to their hearts.

Exploring Priesthood Weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, about 40 miles north of downtown Chicago. Mundelein Seminary is easily accessible by car or train (Metra Milwaukee District North Line). Transportation is also available to and from O'Hare Airport. The address is 1000 East Maple Avenue, Mundelein, IL 60060 and phone number is 847-970-4814.

You can obtain further information or make a reservation by contacting Fr. Brian Welter at 312-534-8298, bwelter@archchicago.org.

If you will be studying for a diocese other than Chicago, please contact your diocesan Vocation Director. There is no fee for the Weekend, and dress is casual.

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Bread of Life Retreat (Formerly Youth 2000)

A Bread of Life Retreat will be held on April 16 – 18, 2010 at Guerin College Prepatory High School at 8001 W. Belmont Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171. Save the Date fliers with be available soon.

The charism of the Bread of Life Retreat is to lead youth and young adults, ages 13 through 30s, through prayer and instruction before the Blessed Sacrament to a personal encounter and ever-deepening union of hear and mind with the Eucharistic heart of Jesus Christ.

The primary goal of the Bread of Life retreat is to inspire and prepare youth and young adults to live and give witness to the Gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, especially in this decade of evangelization called by the John Paul II.

“Set the Eucharist at the center of your personal life and community life: love the Eucharist, adore the Eucharist, and celebrate it…Live the Eucharist by testifying to God’s love for every person.” John Paul II, World Youth Day, Rome 2000

“Every part of the Bread of Life Retreat is meant to help you grow in true and lasting love for Jesus Christ in His Church so that you can live as a Catholic in the culture of today with a deep peace.” Cardinal Francis George

The Bread of Life Retreat is the official youth retreat for the Archdiocese of Chicago and is sponsored by the Office of Catechesis & Youth Ministry.

For more information visit website: www.youthministry.archchicago.org
or contact Darius Villalobos at 312-534-8031 or at dvillolobos@archchicago.org.

Bread of Life 2010 Flier


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And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men."
Mark 1:17
 
Fr. Brian Welter, Vocations Director
Archdiocese of Chicago

vocations@archchicago.org
www.chicagopriest.com