Office of Vocation Promotion guides the faithful in discerning God’s call
By Eileen Jevis
Staff writer
Fathers Jason Hage and James Buttner are taking the Fisherman’s Club — a vocational discernment program — on the road. The pair are visiting colleges throughout the diocese to speak to students about their call to serve God and be open to the plan He has for them. The new initiative of traveling to Newman centers is based on a successful program in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond in Virginia. In tandem with in-person visits to the Newman communities, the vocations office is also offering monthly online meetings for both men and women.
Fr. Jason said the approach to discernment is based on hospitality and relationship building and focusing on people rather than programs. “The [Newman centers] opened the door to us and we are able to walk with the students on their spiritual journey. We celebrate Mass and have dinner and conversation in a low-key, relaxed environment.”
“As we visit the Newman centers around the diocese, we are encouraging students to first and foremost hear the call to holiness,” added Fr. James. “Prior to any question of a particular vocation is the ‘Universal Call to Holiness’ and this is a call that is addressed to everyone.” Fr. James said that he and Fr. Jason have been discussing with the students how to hear God’s voice and how to respond to His call. Every vocation (religious life, ordained ministry, married couples and dedicated single people) derives from the fundamental call to holiness, explained Fr. James. “As a result, every ‘job’ or role can be an opportunity to serve the Lord and pursue holiness — from priests to physicians, from sisters to social workers and from missionaries to mothers,” he said.
Their first visit was to SUNY Binghamton, where approximately 40 students attended Mass and a discussion group. Several students stayed after the program to ask questions privately. “When you see these young adults interact with us, there is a lot of hope,” Fr. Jason said. “This age group is at a critical stage in their lives and there are a lot of young people in the diocese that are actively thinking and praying about a call to holy life. When I walk away from these moments, I am deeply encouraged.”
Fr. James said the students they meet are on different career paths and their goal is to help them recognize that Jesus is calling them to proclaim the gospel in their lives and workplace. “We encourage students to prayerfully consider a religious vocation and to help them make sense of that invitation from the Lord and encourage them to respond to Jesus with trust,” he said.
Michael Huynh, director of Campus Ministry at Hall Newman Center at SUNY Oswego, said the visit by Fr. Jason and Fr. James was energetic and the students were very engaged. “They were personable and were able to build a natural rapport and draw the students into conversations,” Huynh said. “I often remind our young people that college is not just about getting a degree. For some of them, it is also a time when they start to discover how God needs them to serve this world in their own unique way.”
Albany native Zeke Caldon, a junior majoring in meteorology at SUNY Oswego, said he attended the vocation event to think about his future. “I understand that vocation has a broader scope, and I learned more about the dignity of each vocation,” he said. “I learned that when you feel at peace, it means you are on the path that God has set for you.”
Father James said the students are eager to talk about their faith, learn more about discernment and ask questions about how to grow closer to the Lord. “It is a reminder that the Lord is present and at work on these campuses and in the hearts of these young adults. Jesus is indeed calling young people to follow Him, and it’s a privilege to be able to witness that reality and assist the students in understanding and responding to their call.”
A place for women
The Women’s Discernment Group, called FIAT, is a monthly Zoom meeting that women from all areas of the diocese can join. The program took root three years ago when Alyson Radford, a parishioner in the diocese, reached out to Father Jason asking about resources for women who are discerning a vocation. Radford and Melissa Buttner, M.Div., joined forces and now co-facilitate the meetings to educate and support women who want to broaden their faith and understanding of what God is calling them to do.
The meetings are an opportunity for women to get to know one another, share their highs and lows and support each other in prayer, Melissa said. “The topics we discuss are about discernment — but in different areas within that.” Melissa said they have guest speakers from women on different vocational paths — whether married, single or religious sisters. The group is currently reviewing Pope St. John Paul II’s study, “On the Dignity and Vocation of Women,” his definitive teaching on the gift of womanhood. “It’s brought up a lot of rich topics on who we are as women, how our identity comes from Christ, and how we, as women, bring unique and complementary gifts to the world and to the Church,” Melissa said. If you are interested in joining the group, contact the Office of Vocation Promotion at https://vocations-syracuse.org/.
National Vocational Awareness Week is celebrated November 3-9, 2024. “As Catholics, we firmly believe that God has a plan for our lives,” Fr. Jason said. “He calls some to marriage, some to priesthood and diaconate, and others to religious life or to live as generous single people.” The staff in the Office of Vocation Promotions are always available to guide and counsel anyone interested in discovering their purpose. For more information, visit the website or contact the Office of Vocation Promotion at 315-470-1468 or via email at [email protected].
