Vocations in the Diocese of Harrisburg

Clergy and Consecrated Life

Heavenly Father, We ask you to bless our diocese with selfless hearts that are willing to serve You, by serving Your Church. Lord Jesus raise up from our homes those called by the Father: courageous and humble men to the Priesthood, faithful people to Consecrated Life and holy men and women to the sacrament of Marriage. Holy Spirit, help us to live our universal vocation to holiness, by listening to the Father’s voice and responding with a sacrificial love.

Discerning God’s Will

You were created by our loving Father for a reason, a purpose. God the Father knew who He was creating and why. You have been charged by Him to undertake a mission, entrusted only to you. He is always calling us to our mission, our vocation.

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PARISHES
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DIOCESAN PRIESTS
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PERMANENT DEACONS
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MEN RELIGIOUS
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WOMEN RELIGIOUS
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SEMINARIANS

A Message from the Vocations Director

Welcome! Discerning how God is calling you to love and to serve Him is not an easy task, nor can it be done alone! If you are seeking assistance in discerning God’s call in your life, please do not hesitate to reach out to your parish priest and to me to explore that call more deeply. While the Office of Vocations does mostly focus on the Diocesan priesthood, we are happy to support and provide resources for any vocation that you might be discerning. You are not alone! Be assured of our prayers for you as you pursue God’s will in your life.

Resources: “To Save a Thousand Souls” by Fr. Brett Brannen; “Discerning your Vocation” by the Community of the Beatitudes; www.DiocesanPriest.com and www.VocationNetwork.org

Remember: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27

I look forward to meeting you!

In Christ,

Fr. Joshua Weaver

Vocations in Service of the Church

  • Priesthood
  • Diaconate
  • Consecrated Women & Men
  • Priestly Discernment

Priests

The Office for Priests is concerned with the life and work of the priests in our diocese.

Deacons

The Office for Deacons is concerned with the life and work of permanent deacons in our diocese.

Consecrated Life

A community can include sisters or brothers, or priests, who share a common vision and mission.

Seminarians

A man called to priesthood must be open to be molded or formed by the Church into a man of virtue, prayer, integrity, and holiness.

Quo Vadis Days is a time of recreation, fellowship, prayer, and discussions to help you explore our Lord’s call in your life. There will be priests, seminarians, and other young men like yourself gathered together for these days. Activities will include prayer (Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, etc.), games, bonfires, recreation and sports (soccer, capture the flag, volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, flag football), talks, great food, and discussions.

For more information, please visit: https://www.hbgdiocese.org/event/quo-vadis-days/

Loving and Generous Father,
it is You who call us by name
and ask us to follow You.

Help us to grow in the love
and service of our Church and
give us the grace and courage
of Your Holy Spirit to shape its future.

Grant us faith-filled leaders
who will embrace Christ’s Mission
of love and justice.

Bless the Church of Harrisburg
by raising up dedicated and generous servants
from our parishes, schools, families, and friends
who will serve Your people as priests, deacons,
and consecrated women and men.

Inspire us to know You better
and open our hearts to hear Your call.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

O Mary, Queen of the Clergy. Pray for us.
Pray for our priests and religious.
Obtain for us many more. Amen!

Forming Our Priests

The following are the seminaries where men studying for the Diocese of Harrisburg are currently being formed.

Mount Saint Mary Seminary
16300 Old Emmitsburg Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727-7797

PH: 301-447-5295
https://seminary.msmary.edu/

Pontifical North American College
00120 Vatican City State
Europe

PH: 001-39-06-68-49-31
Fax: 011-39-06-686-7561
www.pnac.org

Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary
558 South Avenue
Weston, MA 02493-2618

PH: 781-899-5500
www.psjs.edu

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
100 East Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096-3002

PH: 610-667-3394
www.scs.edu

What is Life Like in a Seminary?

Each year, the Office of Vocations provides opportunities to visit seminaries. Finding out what life in a seminary is really like is a big help in discerning one’s vocation.

Annual Catholic High School Students visit to the Mount

What’s it like to be seminarian? All Catholic High School juniors and seniors are invited to join us to visit Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. It’s a great chance to find out what a day in the life of a seminarian is like.

Annual Visit to St. Charles College Seminary

Each year, a group of men visits St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in
Philadelphia. Get your questions answered about seminary from seminarians.

Contact Vocations with questions or to register for any visit.

Other Opportunities

If you cannot make scheduled visits or would like more information on visiting seminaries, please email Vocations. Arrangements can be made for private visits and tours.

Vocations Contacts

Very Reverend Mark M. Speitel

Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life

Office: 717-657-4804 x350

Rev. Joshua R. Weaver

Director of the Office of Vocations

Office: 717-657-4804 x282

Very Rev John B Bateman JCL, VF

Director of Formation for Permanent Deacons

Office: 717-657-4804 x282

Deb Kerstetter

Administrative Assistant

Office: 717-657-4804 x282