A U G U S T & S E P T . 2 0 0 9 V O L . 3 , I S S U E 7

- P I S T L E

O F F I C E O F V O C A T I O N S A R C H D I O C E S E O F G A L V E S T O N - H O U S T O N

Nine New Seminarians for the Archdiocese

The nine new seminarians pose for a picture outside of the Downtown Chancery of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston during their orientation day on August 12. Bottom row, left to right: Vu Hoan Do, Vietnamese Martyrs Parish; Francis Cao, St. Christopher Parish; Mychal English, Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral; Middle row, left to right: Michael McFall, St. Michael Parish, Jasper; Matthew Giacomuzzi, St. Clare Parish; Frank Sreshta, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish; Top row, left to right: Preston Quintela, St. Helen Parish, Alberto Gonzalez, Prince of Peace Parish; and Nicolas Ramirez, Prince of Peace Parish.

We feel very blessed and grateful to God for the nine new seminarians that have entered into priesthood formation for this great Archdiocese. We thank these men for their courage in saying “Yes” to the Lord. We would also like to thank everyone who has played a key role in the life of these men---family members, the priests who have encouraged them, their parish communities, their friends, and all who they met along the way to encourage them to follow the Lord very closely. These are ordinary men who strive to do extraordinary things with the Lord by their side.

Let us all renew our pledge to work together in this part of the Lord’s vineyard. Let us each be an instrument in assisting young men and women to live out their Baptism, to listen to the call of the Lord and to make way for the Spirit to draw them ever closer to real joy in Christ.

Fr. Dat Hoang Director

Page 2 X - P I S T L E A U G . & S E P T . 2 0 0 9

Junior National Convention—Knights of Peter Claver

The Bi-Annual Junior National Convention of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. Youth Division (Junior Knights and Junior Daughters) was held recently at the Westin Galleria Hotel. There were approximately 1,000-1,500 young people in attendance. For the first time, organizers planned a “Vocation Fair” for the attendees. Representatives from various Religious Communities along with Seminarians from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston shared information and conversation with the young men and women as well as their chaperones.

Bottom: Fr. Gerry Kelly, a Marykoll priest, shares with attendees.

Jesuit Scholastic Danny Tesvich and 2 Jesuit Volunteers speak to young people about the new Cristo Rey High School opening this Fall in Houston by the Society of Jesus.

Left to right: Mrs. Gene Phillips; Christian Mondragon, Semi-narian; Mr. Gene Phillips, Sr., Su-preme Knight, Knights of Peter Claver; Daniel Root, Seminarian; Matt Giacomuzzi, Seminarian.

Left to right: Sr. Pauline Troncale CCVI, Office of Vocations; Sr. Zachary Bertrand CVI; Supreme Knight Mr. Gene Phillips, Sr.; Sr. Mary Margaret Rosberg CVI; Sr. Kim Tran CCVI.

Myriam on Mission

The first ever “Myriam on Mission” service project was held recently at the community center at the “The Historic Oaks on Allen Parkway.” Twenty-three young ladies gathered at the Incarnate Word Convent to share some prayer and song before heading out to the site to visit and play games with children from the apartment complex. The children really enjoyed the “face painting” experience provided by the young ladies. The children received a lunch which was provided by the Harris Co. Hospital District. The Sisters also had the opportunity to visit with the

“…whatever you did for the least of these… you did for me.”

Senior Citizens at the Community Center. This service project was organized by the Office of Vocations and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. “Myriam on Mission” is an outgrowth of the Myriam Dinner for young ladies interested in exploring life as a Religious Sister. The participants were accompanied by Sisters from four different religious communities. Afterwards all returned to the Incarnate Word Convent for a hamburger lunch provided by the Serra Club of Southwest Houston as well as shared reflection time on their experiences. All received a certificate stating that they had been awarded service hours for their efforts. By: Sr. Pauline Troncale, CCVI

Matthew 25:40

Page 3 X - P I S T L E A U G . & S E P T . 2 0 0 9

Explore Retreat: Early in the Summer the Office of Vocations had their Explore Retreat. This spiritual and learning experi-ence of what priesthood and seminary life is like was coordinated and facilitated by archdiocesan seminarians. More than 50 high school students attended the yearly event held at St. Mary’s Seminary. Chase Hilgenbrinck, former professional soccer player who entered the seminary to follow God’s call, was their main speaker. Fr. T.J. Dolce who was ordained for less than a month celebrated one of the Masses and shared about his vocation call during his homily. Parents attended a parent session and joined their children for Mass and a reception afterwards.

Life Awareness: Last July the Northwest Serra Club, the Holy Name Passionist Community, and the Office of Vocations hosted their yearly vocation discernment retreat. There was a great number of young people who participated and met with priests, religious and seminarians. The closing Mass was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Vincent Rizzotto. Life Awareness is a yearly retreat for men and women ages 18 to 45 who are thinking about the priesthood or religious life.

Vengan y Vean: The following week after Life Awareness the Office of Vocations had the Spanish version of the retreat called “Vengan y Vean.” It had 25 Hispanic young adults and it was facilitated by priests, religious, seminarians and consecrated laity. Bishop Vasquez visited the young people for the Saturday morning Mass where he encouraged and congratulated them for taking the step in attending the retreat and discerning God’s call on their lives.

Chase (light blue shirt on left) makes the sign of the cross as he leads the young into a prayer after a good soccer match at St. Mary’s Seminary .

Fr. Dat Hoang  Sr. Pauline Troncale, CCVI Director   Associate Director vocations@archgh.org  ptroncale@archgh.org 713‐652‐8239   713‐652‐8236 

Office of Vocations Archdiocese of Galveston‐Houston 1700 San Jacinto, Houston, Texas 77002 

www.archgh.org/vocations Fax: 713-759-9151

Page 4 X - P I S T L E A U G . & S E P T . 2 0 0 9

Future Events DISCERNMENT OPPORTUNITIES The Sisters of Divine Providence offer monthly discernment gatherings. Upcoming dates are September 29, October 26, November 24 and December 7. For more information: Contact vocationministry@cdptexas.org DESCUBRE EL CAMINO MENOS RECORRIDO La Oficina de Vocaciones hace la invitacion a todos los jóvenes de 18 hasta los 35 años de edad a su reunión mensual de discernmiento para la vida sacerdotal o religiosa. Viernes, 25 de septiembre en St. Dominic Center. Inicia con a las 7pm. Contacto: 713-652-8239 vocations@archgh.org DISCERNIMIENTO PARA MUJERES Las Hermanas Carmelitas de Santa Teresa tendrán sus reuniones mensuales de discernimiento para jovencitas de 18 a 30 años de edad cada 4to domingo de mes en Mt. Carmel House of Prayer (9600 Deer Trail Dr. Houston, TX 77038) Contacto: Hna. Elsa M. Galdeano 281-999-4435 ó 281-445-8830 Email: gelsamargarita@yahoo.com PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY: October 25, 2009 JUBILEE MASS: Celebration of 25, 50, and 60 years of service as priests and religious. Oct. 25 in All Saints Church at 4pm.