There is certainly more activity this year on the campus of the Center for Pastoral Leadership (CPL) located on Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe, Ohio. The CPL is the home for both seminaries of the Diocese of Cleveland. The undergraduate school is Borromeo Seminary and the graduate school of theology is Saint Mary Seminary.
Since August 2013, seven new men have entered as pre-theology students at Borromeo, and 14 new men at Saint Mary, according to Fr. Mark Latcovich, President-Rector of Borromeo Seminary and Saint Mary Seminary. ?Enrollment this year for both seminaries is a 72 - - the highest number in decades,? noted Fr. Latcovich. On October 26, six men will be ordained as deacons and will continue their education and training to be ordained as priests in May of next year.
Reverend Mark Latcovich
?We are creating a culture of vocations in the Diocese of Cleveland,? said Latcovich. There are many people throughout the diocese that are contributing to this pro-vocation culture.
In recent years several parishes have been regularly sending men from their parish communities to our seminaries. Homegrown vocations are coming from places like St. Mary Parish in Hudson, Sacred Heart Parish in Wadsworth, St. Francis de Sales Parish in Akron, St. Mary of the Falls Parish in Olmsted Falls and St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Parma to name a few.
What seems to be a common thread at these parishes is a desire and willingness of the pastors to talk about vocations with their young people. When the seminarians have the opportunity to meet with grade school or high school students it seems to go a long way with letting a young person know that it?s okay to consider a religious vocation.
A vocation supportive diocesan-wide event that takes place each year on the grounds of the CPL is referred to as The FEST. It is a free, outdoor, single-day festival that draws tens of thousands of young people and families from throughout Northeast Ohio to celebrate their Catholic faith. The opportunity for young people to gather with each other and enjoy a day of live Christian music in a faith-filled setting is a wonderful experience for our youth. A variety of Catholic groups staff booths at The FEST to provide information. Clergy is available throughout the day for conversation or to hear a confession. The day concludes with the celebration of Mass and fireworks.
On the diocesan level, opening the doors for more people to visit the CPL has been very beneficial. Fr. Michael McCandless, vocation director, regularly hosts events for various age groups at the CPL. Discovery Days introduces seventh and eighth grade students to the seminaries. Crossing the Threshold explores theology at the CPL for young men at least 22 years of age. While Exalt (XLT) is an intense experience of prayer, adoration and worship for adults held in the Sacred Heart Chapel at the CPL. Fr. Damian Ference, faculty member of Borromeo Seminary hosts the annual Tolle Lege summer institute at the CPL which is a faith-centered summer camp for young men and women the summer before their senior year of high school.
Reverend Damian Ference with students
Finally, we cannot underestimate and positive messages that our young people have received from our most recent Holy Fathers at their various World Youth Day events across the globe. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis have all consistently called out to young people throughout the world to utilize their God given gifts, to be proud of their Catholic faith, and to make a positive difference in the world with their lives
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