Ordination 2024!
On Saturday June 5th, Fr. Sebastian Aristizabal was ordained to the priesthood at St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Alter Server Awards
Poster and Essay Judging
Seminarians travel the Camino trail
"Dear Mary Mother of Vocations,
Hola from your pilgrims in Spain. As we head back home, we wanted take the time to share with you a little bit of our Camino experience.
Portugal was fantastic. On June 7th we landed in the ancient city of Lisbon. During our two days there we saw history unfold before our eyes as we visited the birth place of St. Anthony of Lisbon (aka. St. Anthony of Padua).
Next, on the Feast of Corpus Christi we headed to the pastoral city of Fatima and walked through the holy homes of Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco. With thousands of other Catholics we venerated Our Lady of the Rosary in the very place she appeared a century ago.
On June 9th our costal Camino began in Porto. The beauty of the coast shimmered in the sun as we walked along the Atlantic shore for four days. At each moment, the scenery reminded us of our great Creator. And one of the great things about Portugal is that there as many churches as there are cafés.
On June 16th, we crossed over from Caminhas, Portugal into Guardq, Spain. We continued to be stunned by the beauty around us, with the rocky beaches to our left and the mountainous forest to our right. Along the way me made friends who became our companions on the journey. We joined them as we headed into the mountains of Meis and stayed near a small monastery.
Finally, on June 22nd, we took a boat into the city of Padrón and from there we walked about 19 miles to Santiago de Compostela. At last, we had a chance to rest for a couple of days as we stayed in the city where the Apostle St. James is buried.
The Camino was both joyful and challenging. We lost our way, but found friends. We were covered in pain, but surrounded by beauty. We exercised a lot, but ate very well. We had sleepless nights, but had great coffee. God always provided and He always will. Know that we have been praying for you all as we journeyed to Santiago and we hope you will pray for us as we journey back home.
Saint James, St. Anthony and Our Lady of Fatima — pray for us
Your seminarians,
Sebastian & James"
Hola from your pilgrims in Spain. As we head back home, we wanted take the time to share with you a little bit of our Camino experience.
Portugal was fantastic. On June 7th we landed in the ancient city of Lisbon. During our two days there we saw history unfold before our eyes as we visited the birth place of St. Anthony of Lisbon (aka. St. Anthony of Padua).
Next, on the Feast of Corpus Christi we headed to the pastoral city of Fatima and walked through the holy homes of Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco. With thousands of other Catholics we venerated Our Lady of the Rosary in the very place she appeared a century ago.
On June 9th our costal Camino began in Porto. The beauty of the coast shimmered in the sun as we walked along the Atlantic shore for four days. At each moment, the scenery reminded us of our great Creator. And one of the great things about Portugal is that there as many churches as there are cafés.
On June 16th, we crossed over from Caminhas, Portugal into Guardq, Spain. We continued to be stunned by the beauty around us, with the rocky beaches to our left and the mountainous forest to our right. Along the way me made friends who became our companions on the journey. We joined them as we headed into the mountains of Meis and stayed near a small monastery.
Finally, on June 22nd, we took a boat into the city of Padrón and from there we walked about 19 miles to Santiago de Compostela. At last, we had a chance to rest for a couple of days as we stayed in the city where the Apostle St. James is buried.
The Camino was both joyful and challenging. We lost our way, but found friends. We were covered in pain, but surrounded by beauty. We exercised a lot, but ate very well. We had sleepless nights, but had great coffee. God always provided and He always will. Know that we have been praying for you all as we journeyed to Santiago and we hope you will pray for us as we journey back home.
Saint James, St. Anthony and Our Lady of Fatima — pray for us
Your seminarians,
Sebastian & James"
Rev. Jeffrey Donovan Ordination to the Priesthood
Saturday, June 3rd at St. Joseph's Cathedral
Link to interview with Jeffrey Donovan
Pass the Chalice
Mary, Mother of Vocations Ministry, Inc. is an organization whose main goal is to promote vocations to the Priesthood, Deaconate and Religious Life. We work closely with Fr. David Baker, the Vocation Director for the Diocese of Buffalo.
We are encouraging parishes around the diocese to consider sponsoring the “Pass the Chalice” program. This program increases the awareness and need for more priestly vocations in our diocese. It encourages families to make a personal commitment to pray for vocations daily by hosting the chalice in their home for one week.
If you would like more information on the “Pass the Chalice” program, wish to join our ministry or donate, please visit our website at https://www.mmvminc.org. or contact Susan Santandreau at [email protected] or Dina Pacillo at [email protected].
We are encouraging parishes around the diocese to consider sponsoring the “Pass the Chalice” program. This program increases the awareness and need for more priestly vocations in our diocese. It encourages families to make a personal commitment to pray for vocations daily by hosting the chalice in their home for one week.
If you would like more information on the “Pass the Chalice” program, wish to join our ministry or donate, please visit our website at https://www.mmvminc.org. or contact Susan Santandreau at [email protected] or Dina Pacillo at [email protected].
Details for Pass the Chalice
Prayer for Mary Mother of
Vocations Ministry
Dear Mary, Mother of Jesus, who calls each of us to share our gifts as members of His Body,
help us to grow always closer to your Son, in whom we find our purpose, our identity, and our vocations.
Pray that we may have the confidence to respond wholeheartedly to your Son’s call,
and help us to encourage each other to respond to your Son’s call in a spirit of wisdom and charity.
We ask you to pray for those called to serve as priests, deacons, and religious brothers and sisters,
and aid them with the love of your Immaculate Heart.
May your Immaculate Heart remind us always to live out our vocations in love and holiness.
Mary, Mother of Vocations … pray for us
Vocations Ministry
Dear Mary, Mother of Jesus, who calls each of us to share our gifts as members of His Body,
help us to grow always closer to your Son, in whom we find our purpose, our identity, and our vocations.
Pray that we may have the confidence to respond wholeheartedly to your Son’s call,
and help us to encourage each other to respond to your Son’s call in a spirit of wisdom and charity.
We ask you to pray for those called to serve as priests, deacons, and religious brothers and sisters,
and aid them with the love of your Immaculate Heart.
May your Immaculate Heart remind us always to live out our vocations in love and holiness.
Mary, Mother of Vocations … pray for us
Mary, Mother of Vocations Ministry, Inc. assists the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Buffalo and promotes Vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.
Presently, we are a non-profit 501 (c)(3).
Presently, we are a non-profit 501 (c)(3).
Mission Statement:
To foster and affirm vocations to the ordained priesthood, diaconate and vowed religious life
and through this ministry, affirm our members' common Catholic faith.
To foster and affirm vocations to the ordained priesthood, diaconate and vowed religious life
and through this ministry, affirm our members' common Catholic faith.
Where Is God Calling You?
What is a Vocation?
In the simplest terms, “vocation” means a “call.” In general terms your vocation is what God calls you to do with your life. Everyone is called to know, love and serve God in this life, in order to be happy with him forever in heaven. Yet each one does this in a different, individual vocation such as marriage, religious life, or the priesthood.
Ultimately discovering your vocation is a decision made through prayer, but also requires one make an informed decision, including advice from trusted friends, family and spiritual leaders.
In the simplest terms, “vocation” means a “call.” In general terms your vocation is what God calls you to do with your life. Everyone is called to know, love and serve God in this life, in order to be happy with him forever in heaven. Yet each one does this in a different, individual vocation such as marriage, religious life, or the priesthood.
Ultimately discovering your vocation is a decision made through prayer, but also requires one make an informed decision, including advice from trusted friends, family and spiritual leaders.
Mary, Mother of Vocations Ministry, Inc.
PO Box 386
Hamburg, NY 14075
PO Box 386
Hamburg, NY 14075