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{multithumb thumb_width=200 thumb_height=300 caption_pos=disabled}Deacon Lecias Looks Forward to Ordination in His Adopted Home of West Virginia


Colleen Rowan Photo/Courtesy of The Catholic Spirit - Pictured is Rev. Mr. Michael Lecias, who will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling June 5.
By D.F. Kratzer/Courtesy of The Catholic Spirit
WEST VIRGINIA—Rev. Mr. Michael Lecias, a native of the Philippines, said he first learned of West Virginia from John Denver’s “Country Roads,” now many years after hearing the song about “Almost Heaven, West Virginia,” Deacon Lecias will be ordained a priest for his adopted home.

Deacon Lecias will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston by Bishop Michael J. Bransfield at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling June 5. His first contact with the diocese was in 2002, when he began to contact Father John Gallagher, then the diocese’s Vocations director, at the prompting of a missionary friend from the Order of St. Augustine.

For the next few years, Deacon Lecias continued his academic studies in Canada. In 2004, he returned to the Philippines to pursue a master’s degree and to teach at two universities. During this time, “I was so involved in the campus ministry and I gave retreats to students and planning for the retreats. ... Being involved in the campus ministry, I was drawn back to the world of priesthood,” Deacon Lecias said. “And every time I (went) to Mass everyday, I could see myself at the altar celebrating Mass.”

In 2005, Deacon Lecias contacted Father Gallagher again and was accepted as a seminarian for the diocese. He arrived in West Virginia in April 2006 and was assigned to St. Alphonsus Parish in Wheeling before he began his studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., in the fall.

In addition to his studies at the seminary, Deacon Lecias spent his 2007 summer assignment at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston, had a pastoral year at St. Leo Parish in Inwood from 2007 to 2008, spent time in Mexico to study Spanish and worked at the United Nations during the summer of 2008 and was assigned as a deacon at the Cathedral of St. Joseph during the summer of 2009.

In every corner of the diocese he has served, Deacon Lecias said the people have been wonderful and kind. Also, he said, Bishop Bransfield is very supportive of him and the entire presbyterate of the diocese.

Deacon Lecias said he looks forward to his ordination and is excited to find out where he will serve in the state he has made his home. “I know I am far from my family, but living here,” he said, “this is a grace from God, this is a fortunate thing and this is a new place to explore.”



Quo Vadis Camp – June 29 through July 2, 2010 at Camp Tygart, Huttonsville, WV

Quo Vadis is Latin for “Where are you going?”

The Vocations Office is once again sponsoring Quo Vadis Camp. Boys in grades 6, 7 and 8 are invited to Camp Tygart where they will participate in spiritual talks, prayer, the celebration of the Mass, and discussion about how God guides one’s life. Campers will also enjoy outdoor activities offered at Camp Tygart including hiking, swimming, canoeing and horseback riding. Interested youth should contact their pastor to express interest and for more information.

 
Adopt a Seminarian

Parishes, Schools, Organizations Offer Prayers, Care Packages and Support for the Future Priests of West Virginia

By D.F. Kratzer
WEST VIRGINIA—Each year, faithful throughout the diocese “adopt a seminarian,” committing their prayers, encouragement and support to the future priests of West Virginia. Through the diocesan Office of Vocations, parishes, diocesan schools, organizations and individuals sponsor seminarians, sending cards, care packages, financial assistance and other items of gratitude and support.

“We’re connecting our people so they can start standing by these men who are students and, God willing, one day stand by them as priests,” said Father Paul Hudock, director of the diocesan Office of Vocations.

"Seminarians,” he continued, “are normal guys, they are a lot like our own brothers or a lot like our own cousins, our own sons ... they need encouragement.”

Father Chris Turner, vocations promoter and pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Wheeling, said that “it is important for parishes and individuals to support vocations because it gets them thinking and praying for vocations in general.”

Sponsoring seminarians, he continued, is rewarding for the seminarian and those providing support because it “connects the need for vocations with something concrete.”

For those who wish to sponsor a seminarian, first and foremost, Father Hudock said, is to “get together and pray for seminarians, pray for men who are in discernment and for all our young people who are trying to listen to God’s call.”

He and Father Turner said there are a number of other ways individuals, parishes, schools and organizations can support seminarians, including sending pictures, cards, monetary gifts and care packages—which Father Turner said are great to receive during exams—among other items.

Father Turner also encouraged sponsors to “be creative” and consider how they can make an impact on their seminarian and encourage correspondence, developing a relationship.
“Correspondence and interaction while you are in formation,” Father Hudock said, “is helpful because the priesthood is a whole experience of making continual friendships throughout your life, throughout your priestly career. So those friendships can start right there in seminary and they continue on throughout your life of ministry.”

To sponsor a seminarian or for more information, contact Pat Templeton, secretary for the Office of Vocations, at 233-0880, ext. 235, or via e-mail at ptempleton@dwc.org.
 
Coming Events

Evening of Discussion and Prayer: Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, Thursday January 29, 2009. Fr. Paul Hudock will be leading a discussion on “Love, Commitment, and Life.” This evening is open to both men and women and will explore how young adults can discern their vocational call to marriage, religious life, or the priesthood. Discussion at the Chapel of Mary and Joseph will begin at 7:30 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration will follow from 8:00 to 8:45 p.m.

Evening of Discussion and Prayer: St John University Parish, Morgantown. Wednesday February 4, 2009. Fr. Paul Hudock will be leading a discussion on “Love, Commitment, and Life.” This evening is open to both men and women and will explore how young adults can discern their vocational call to marriage, religious life, or the priesthood. Discussion takes place at Newman Hall and will be part of the “Newman Night” which starts at 8:00 p.m.

Vocation Awareness Weekend: February 6, 7 & 8, 2009, Paul VI Pastoral Center, Wheeling. This weekend is geared to men and women ages 18 and older. This weekend is hosted by members of men’s religious communities such as the Capuchin and Jesuit Orders, members of women religious communities such as the Congregation of St. Joseph and the Sisters of Charity, and Diocesan priests of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

Come and See Weekend: March 6, 7 & 8, 2009, Priestfield Pastoral Center, Kearneysville. This weekend is for men only ages 17 and older and is sponsored by the Franciscans Third Order Regular and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

Ordinations to the Diaconate:
Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Ordination to the Priesthood:
Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

 

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston · 1300 Byron Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 · Phone (304) 233-0880

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