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| For the past 10 years, Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations has been held weekday mornings in the chapel at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. Members of the Serra Club of Madison, diocesan staff members, and local parishioners (many of them pictured above) have been regular adorers. In the second row, center, are Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general and former director of vocations for the Diocese of Madison when the program started, and Fr. Greg Ihm, current director of vocations. Eucharistic Adoration is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 to 11:45 a.m. (Catholic Herald photo/Janelle Mathews) |
MADISON — It was 10 years ago that three diocesan seminarians began a Holy Hour for Vocations in the chapel of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in the summer of 2004.
Knowing that the seminarians would be returning to their studies in fall, members of the Serra Club of Madison — along with then Fr. Jim Bartylla, the club’s chaplain and director of vocations for the Diocese of Madison — decided to institute daily Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations weekdays in the chapel from 9 to 11:45 a.m.
Began in 2004
Adoration began on September 13, 2004, and has continued ever since, except for holiday closures of the center. If the main chapel is being used, Adoration is moved to the smaller Holy Spirit Oratory.
Besides members of the Serra Club, staff members of diocesan offices and interested area parishioners have been regular adorers. Lorie Ballweg in the Office of Vocations coordinates the program.
Immediate results
Now the vicar general of the diocese, Monsignor Bartylla recalls the immediate fruits of Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations.
“I’ll never forget that after the initial morning of Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations, my first call was received that very afternoon from a prospective seminarian who shortly thereafter entered college seminary,” said Monsignor Bartylla.
“The message from the Lord was loud and clear — ‘pray to Me in the Blessed Sacrament, and I will send you laborers for the vineyard.’
“We’re grateful for the support of so many faithful Catholics for their prayers for vocations, and we’re ultimately grateful to Our Lord for his generosity in blessing our diocese with many fine men who are studying for the priesthood. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,” he said.
Fr. Greg Ihm, current director of vocations, commented, “Ten years of Adoration before the Most Holy Eucharist has shown to be fruitful, and there are many more graces that we may not know. The diocese is grateful to all those that have spent time adoring the Lord for vocations.”
Regular adorers
One of those who has come for Adoration each week for the past 10 years is Tom Delaney, a member of the Serra Club and Cathedral Parish in Madison.
“It is no secret. Eucharistic Adoration is the greatest boon to vocations,” said Delaney. He noted that an example was set in the Diocese of Arlington, Va. “I researched parishes around the country and traveled to Virginia. It was something I yearned for in our diocese.”
Fr. George Horath started Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at St. Mary Parish in Fennimore. “There were instantaneous benefits there,” noted Delaney. “People came back to the Church. There were adult Baptisms. It was amazing.”
Shirley Ring, a member of Good Shepherd (St. James) Parish in Madison, has been involved in Eucharistic Adoration for nine and a half years. “I am involved to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, but most of all to adore Jesus Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
“I am very grateful for the most beautiful privilege to do this and for being allowed to expose Jesus at 9 a.m. every Monday. It is awesome and humbling to be graced with this wonderful blessing.”
Eric Schiedermayer, a diocesan staff member, has been Ring’s partner for eight years. “This hour provides a time for prayer and a great way to start my week,” he said. “We need priests. And I have an outstanding Adoration partner in Shirley Ring.”
Cathy and Lee Purdy, members of St. Christopher (St. Andrew) Parish in Verona, have been involved in Adoration for the entire 10 years. “It is a good cause and very rewarding,” they said. “It has been a good thing for our young men studying for the priesthood.”
The number of seminarians has indeed grown from six in 2003 to 33 today, showing the results of prayer and efforts in fostering and sustaining vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
All are invited to Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations Monday through Friday from 9 to 11:45 a.m. at the O’Connor Center chapel.