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Too young to hear God's call to be a priest
or religious? No way!! Over one-half of the priests heard
the call to priesthood when in grade school. The age of 11
seems to be a favorite time for Jesus to first plant the idea
of priesthood or religious life in a young person's heart.
Sometimes others will bring the idea up to you.
If you have thought about priesthood or religious
life, take it seriously. You are not too young to begin
thinking about your future. Read on.
Everyone is called by name to have a mission
in life. Everyone is called to be a disciple of Jesus, to
be a good person, to be holy. In addition, each person is
called to a more specific task in life, some to marriage
and family, some to priesthood and religious life, and some
to the single life.
What's happening in Grade School?
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Prince Gallitzin Vocation Club:
Every grade school student in the diocese is encouraged
to actively participate in the Prince Gallitzin Vocation
Club. Belonging is simple: all one needs to do is pray.
Father Gallitzin is our own model of what it means to
be a great priest. Take a moment to read his story:
Father Demetrius Gallitzin, the pioneer
of our Catholic Faith in Central Pennsylvania, was born
a Russian prince in 1770. He left his claim to royalty and
came to America in 1792 to become a priest. He was ordained
in Baltimore in 1795 by Bishop John Carroll, the first Catholic
Bishop of the United States. It was a sick call which brought
him to the mountains of central Pennsylvania, to McGuire's
Settlement (whose name he later changed to Loretto.) It
was here, on Christmas eve in 1799, that Mass was celebrated
for the first time in the newly erected church of St. Michael.
He spent the remainder of his priestly life ministering
to God's people in what is now the diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
He died in 1840, and his statue and tomb are located in
Loretto. We honor Father Demetrius and admire his missionary
spirit. May God bless our diocese with more young men who
have the desire to serve God as generously and courageously
as our own Prince Gallitzin.
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Come and See Day:
Every spring there is a special vocation day for students
grades 6 to 8 at the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House. Priests
and seminarians are on hand to enjoy a fun day together
that includes sports, prayer, great food and interesting
conversation on what it takes to be a priest!
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Camp Zacchaeus, Our Summer Youth Camp:
is sponsored by the Diocesan Youth Office each August and
offers a great week of swimming, fishing, hiking, and a
zillion fun games! We play and we pray. There is Mass each
day, we have daily Bible Study, cabin rosary, and each day
ends with a great bonfire. Father Byrnes is camp chaplain,
and there is a committed team of college students and adults
who are on hand to make certain that the excitement never
stops!
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