The annual 'Come and See' weekend retreat was held at the end of February at the Villa of Our Lady Retreat House in Mount Pocono. The retreat enabled participants to pray, talk with seminarians and Diocesan priests, and listen to presentations on discernment and seminary life.
Bishop James C. Timlin, Bishop Emeritus, joined
the group for lunch and informal conversation.
 |
Seminarian Ryan Glenn led a presentation and interactive session on
'The Rich Young Man' |
“The ‘Come and See’ weekend retreat was a great
experience. It helped me to get to know the seminarians and others who are
discerning a vocation to Diocesan Priesthood. One thing that really stood out
to me was the visit from Bishop Timlin. It was heartwarming to hear him tell
his vocation story and his life as a priest and Bishop. Towards the end of his
talk, he started to get emotional. He showed all of us that the priesthood is
not just a career, but a way of life.”
-Christopher
 |
Father Jeffrey Walsh (center), Episcopal Vicar for
Clergy,
celebrated Mass at the ‘Come and See’ weekend along with
Father Don Williams (left), Diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians,
and Father Gregg Loughney (right), assistant vocation director. |
“The weekend was a refreshing and humbling
experience. Being able to talk to discerners from all different parts of the
diocese helped me to reflect on my own discernment and know that there are
plenty of men in the Church of Scranton that are more than willing to serve the
Church in any path that God has planned for them.”
-Andrew McCarroll, seminarian
 |
Bishop James C. Timlin, Bishop Emeritus, joined the group for lunch and
informal conversation. He told his vocation story and life as
a priest and Bishop to those in attendance |
“This weekend is one of the most important
initiatives we offer in the Diocesan Vocation Office. Young men aged 18-35 have
the opportunity to really ‘retreat’ and step away from their busy lives to give
God a chance to speak to their hearts in a very special way. Support from our
seminarians, Assistant Vocation Directors, and other discerners allows them to
relax, pray, and ask questions that can appear frightening and overwhelming.
The experience of the seminarians, who have made this selfless commitment to
God, provides discerners the opportunity to clarify any misconceptions and
enables them to stay open and available.”
-Father Don Williams, Diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians
 |
| Eucharistic Adoration |
For more information about discernment and/or retreats sponsored by the Diocesan Vocation Office, please call 570-207-1452.
