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.