NORWALK- On March 20th, lay faithful joined seminarians, priests, permanent deacons and religious from the Diocese of Bridgeport to pray for Vocations at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk.
“What a beautiful grace-filled night as so many came together to support those in formation and to pray for vocations,” said Msgr. Walter C. Orlowski, VF, KCHS, Dean and Pastor. “I was thinking to myself: what if tonight a man or woman is called to the priesthood or religious life? Or a married man might be called to the permanent diaconate? Our God does indeed work in wonderful ways. As Fr. John Connaughton, Director of Vocations, said so beautifully, ‘Let faith be your guide. Do not be afraid.’ ”
After the Holy Hour, a reception was held in the Masterpool Great Room, where some of the seminarians shared how they discovered their vocations, and how the road to the priesthood is not always a straight one.
Several years ago, seminarian Ferry Galbert was working as an RN at Stamford Hospital in the stroke unit. Through the discernment process, he realized that although you might think you know what you want to do with your life, sometimes God has other plans. “This is not someplace where I thought I’d be,” he offered with an engaging smile. “But I can tell you this: when you say ‘yes’ to what God has in store for you, there is peace. Where I am, is where there is peace.”
By Ann Yannetti