SEPTEMBER 2024
NEWSLETTER

… Life’s Calling

Located on the Flat of Beacon Hill, 19th century-made land along the Charles River, the Church of the Advent stands tall as an architectural landmark of Boston.

A Word from Fr. Eric Cadin

Brothers,

Welcome to our new VBlog for the Office of Vocations. Firstly, I want to say thank you to each and all of you for your Faith, your witness of priesthood, and your support of so many men responding to that voice of Jesus inviting them to follow after Him. I love being a Boston priest working with these men whom you inspire and whom Jesus calls to join us in this awesome mission.

Secondly, I want to offer our rationale for this effort. We in the Vocation Office are privileged to participate daily in the real and present Grace of God in the lives of countless men, young and old. In other words, we have tangible reasons for such great Hope. I want to share that with you.

Every month, through a prompt in Fr. Soper’s regular emails, we will offer a blub and link to this updated page. Here we will communicate four things: an updated chart of how many men, their age range, and where they are coming from of the men with whom we are working; a profile of a prospective candidate highlighting how his priest’s example inspired him; a resource for promoting well vocations in your own parish; and an updated list of upcoming events run through the Vocation Office.

Always, if you ever need anything or have a man whom it would be good for us to meet and to know, please reach out [Eric [email protected] 617-840-1418 (cell)] [Michael [email protected] 781-343-1975 (cell)]

Lord Jesus, as You once called the first disciples to make them fishers of men, let Your sweet invitation continue to resound:

Come, follow Me!

Give young men and women the grace of responding quickly to Your voice. Support our bishops, priests, and consecrated people in their apostolic labor.

Grant perseverance to our seminarians and to all those who are carrying out the ideal of a life totally consecrated to Your service.

Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every vocation, help us to say ‘Yes’ to the Lord Who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation.
Amen.

- Pope St. John Paul II

Meet John-Vincent Barcinas

Vince Barcinas is a 28-year-old man who came to the United States and the Archdiocese of Boston from the Philippines at about 5 years old. He grew up in Holliston and Acton. He and his two brothers were raised in a Faithful and supportive family environment where Mass and prayers were important. An altar server as a boy, he participated in CCD in Holliston and then in high school he was part of Generations of Faith. He took some theology classes while pursuing a chemistry degree at the University of Scranton – a Jesuit university in Scranton, PA.

Throughout his life he has experienced Jesus’ Mercy and Grace. More specifically he knows Jesus, his Savior and Redeemer, to be a friend. Vince recognizes so many people, peers among them, who are hurting, lost, and need a friend. Among the attractions to the priesthood is the capacity of the priest to bring the person of Jesus, through his own life and witness and ministry, to those in need.

When asked about important priests in his life: “The model priests in my life are Fr. Mark Coiro of St. Mary’s in Holliston and Fr. Gerald Souza of Ascension Parish across Maynard and Sudbury. They’re the dictionary definition of a priest in my mind – kind, serious when needed, funny when wanted, and devout. They guided and encouraged me at the key moments in the time I’ve known them, and if there’s anything I hope to emulate it’s the guidance that they gave me. Additionally, if I’m blessed I also hope I can get an ounce of their humor. Or at least copies of their jokes.”

Vince entered St. John Seminary this Fall in the Propaedeutic Year. Please pray for Vince, pray for all the men studying for the  priesthood here in Boston, and pray for those men in your own parishes and ministries who recognize in your priesthood the call Jesus is placing in their own life.

VOCATIONS BY THE NUMBERS

How it started... how it's going.

The chart below shows the increase of engagement by those who entered the funnel. It also shows the movement within the funnel from the 2nd-4th tiers, as men were filtered and progressed.