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Emerging from Lockdown
It is something I have done thousands of times over the last 11 years of priesthood. Walking out of the sacristy and into the sanctuary to begin the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It can become routine … more
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Drive-by Celebrations
During this time of lockdown and quarantine it has been difficult to stay positive and not be discouraged. One of the greatest challenges, in addition to not being able to attend Mass, has been the … more
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Shattering The Illusion
Most people like either having control or being in control. It gives us a sense of comfort or assurance that everything is in order or that there is a plan in place that we are following. This idea … more
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A Lent Like No Other
We can open the church now that the Mass is over.” Those words this past Sunday filled me with not only a deep sadness but also just seemed so antithetical to everything that the Mass, the … more
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The Question of Loneliness
Recently I was at a young adult gathering and the topic of celibacy was on the forefront of many people’s minds since it has been covered in the press regarding the Amazon synod and the document … more
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Learning from Rosie
A few weeks ago I was finishing a three-year program for spiritual direction at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. Since this was a course focused on spirituality much of our time was … more
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Reasons for Hope
It seems sometimes that we are surrounded by bad news. There are so many depressing stories at home and abroad that it can appear we are living in dark times. Additionally, each new report that comes … more
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Forgetting Advent
A few weeks ago, just before Halloween, I was in the car looking for something to listen to on the radio. As I scrolled through the channels, I was very surprised when I heard Christmas music. I … more
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Walking With The Lord
At the heart of any vocation to the priesthood should be the desire to bring Jesus to the people. Our ministry and ordination puts us in the unique and privileged position of bringing the Good … more
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The Value of Kindness
A few weeks ago, I was asked to give a morning of recollection to seventh- and eighth-grade students at one of our elementary schools in the upper counties. The principal told me … more
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A Foretaste of Heaven
One of the most beautiful times of the Church year is the spring, when many dioceses throughout the world celebrate the ordination of their new priests. During my years as a seminarian and now as a … more
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The Hub of a Wheel
One of the interesting aspects of vocation work is the amount of traveling that is part of this ministry. It has afforded me the opportunity to visit many new places and to meet a diverse group of … more
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It’s Not About Numbers
Ask any vocation director and he will tell you that the one question we are consistently asked is, “How many guys do you have?” This could refer to discerners, seminarians, men to be ordained or … more
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The Gift of Fraternity
Over the last three years I have been going out to Mundelein Seminary in Chicago taking classes in spiritual direction. This nine-week program, spread out over three years is facilitated by the … more
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Clinging to the Cross
Every year during the Easter Triduum, the vocations office of the Archdiocese of New York joins the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre to run a retreat for the men who are considering a … more
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The Healing Power of the Sacraments
A few weeks ago, I had the great blessing to be with Father Ubald Rugirangoga for an event at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture. The event was covered by Catholic New York and appeared in a … more
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Seeking the Truth
One of the best aspects of my position as vocation director is the opportunity to meet so many different people who are dedicated to the Church and her mission throughout the United States. Earlier … more
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Away With the Lord
During the course of the year, my office has two separate silent retreats for men who are discerning the priesthood. The first of these is at the beginning of the Advent season and the second during … more
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Learning to Ponder
We live in a world that is increasingly noisy. Here in New York, it seems that there is a constant cacophony of sound surrounding us. As frustrating as that can be, it is especially challenging to … more
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Silent Retreat Shows the Value of Unplugging
A couple of months ago, I was on my annual retreat in Chicago at Mundelein Seminary. There were about 70 priests together on this silent, self-directed time to rest and pray. The only conversation we … more
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