From our Vicar
Msgr. Hugh J. Shields
In speaking with many (Latino) men these past few years often I hear them saying: “I think God is asking more from me, but I am not sure what it is.”
For some, it may be that God wants them to spend more time with their family, to take on leadership roles in the community, to grow in goodness and holiness. And for some it might be that they are called to the permanent deaconate here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
I know that some of our men (and their wives) have felt that the “language barrier” in the Deaconate formation program would be an obstacle in responding to the “call” that the Lord is speaking to them. Not so.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be beginning a tract in Spanish for the preparation to serve as permanent deacon – preaching, baptizing, visiting the sick and imprisoned, guiding the faith formation programs for young and old, assisting at the altar as Mass is celebrated – basically acting as “person bridge” between God, His Church and our growing Hispanic population.
Afternoon informational sessions in Spanish are being held throughout the Archdiocese to explain the challenging and fulfilling call to the Permanent Deaconate. The next “Information Afternoon” will be at St. Agnes Parish, West Chester, on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.
If God has been inviting you, as a Hispanic committed Catholic man, to a life of greater service, I urge you to attend the Sept. 21 meeting, with your wife, to hear and discern what God might be asking of you.
“Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.”
Msgr. Hugh Shields is the Vicar for Hispanic Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
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