The Diocese of Wilmington
Celebrates the Year for Priests
Pope Benedict XVI opened the Year for Priests on June 19, 2009 by calling the ordained ministry indispensable for the church and the world and saying the church needs holy ministers who “help the faithful experience the merciful love of the Lord and who are convinced witnesses of that love.”
The Diocese of Wilmington is observing this special year in a variety of ways which are designed to help people celebrate priesthood by understanding and embracing it, to promote vocations and to nurture the priesthood. The Year for Priests will offer our priests many opportunities to become spiritually renewed and refreshed, and opportunities for the laity come to a deeper understanding and love of the priesthood.
Bishop Malooly's Pastoral Letter
on the Year for Priests
Thank you Father, Stories of Gratitude
Do you have a story about a priest who has inspired, challenged, or served you or your community?
Click here and tell your story.
Suggested Movies for the Year for Priests
Check out our list of movies which feature priests as central or prominent characters. These movies can be used in a variety of ways for discussions on many aspects of religious education or the priesthood.
Vocation Website
The Diocesan Office of Priestly and Religious Vocations has a new website. The site features pages on discernment, priestly formation, frequently asked questions, resources and seminarians. For more information contact Father Joseph Cocucci, 573-3113 or jcocucci@cdow.org.
Theology on Tap
The discussion series for young adults in their 20s and 30s, will focus on the priesthood during Advent, with talks by diocesan priests and Bishop Malooly.
The Schedule
Nov. 24 — Fathers Len Kempski and Tim Nolan: priestly vocations from two generations
Dec. 1 — Father John Gayton: ministry to the military, and his deployment to Iraq with the Marines
Dec. 8 — Bishop Malooly shares his vocation story
Dec. 15 — Father Jim Jackson: prison ministry
The sessions will be held at 7 p.m. at Catherine Rooney’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Wilmington’s Trolley Square.
Speakers for the Year for Priests
The Year for Priests is not only about opportunities for the spiritual renewal of priests; it’s also a time for all the faithful to reflect on the lives and mission of the priests who serve us. Keeping this in mind, the following priests will be available to participate in parish catechetical and religious education talks and presentations on the priesthood:
Father Norman Carroll, St. Elizabeth, Wilmington - 652-3626
Father Joseph Cocucci, Cathedral of St. Peter, Wilmington - 654-5920
Father Stanislao Esposito, Immaculate Conception, Elkton - (410) 398-1100
Father Anthony Giamello, St. Elizabeth, Wilmington - 652-3626
Father John Grimm, Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, N.J. - (973) 761-9575
Father John Hopkins, St. Margaret of Scotland, Glasgow - 834-0225
Father Steven Hurley, St. Ann, Wilmington - 654-5519
Father Leonard Klein, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Wilmington - 764-0357
Father James Lentini, St. Thomas More Preparatory, Dover - 697-8100
Father Timothy Nolan, Holy Spirit, New Castle - 658-1069
Father Thomas Protack, St. John Neumann, Ocean Pines - (410) 208-2956
Click Here to read the Dialog's coverage of the Year for Priests
A Prayer for Priests
O Jesus,
I pray for those men you have called
to serve your people as priests.
I thank you for those who are engaged this
day in active ministry,
for those who have retired after fruitful service,
and for those who are in formation
preparing for ordination.
Bless them, Lord, with strength and joy;
may they continue to grow in your likeness
so that they can help me grow in your likeness.
I pray, too, Lord, for those priests who are not well,
and I commend to your mercy
those priests who are dying.
I thank you for the ministry and witness
of those priests who now enjoy
your presence in the kingdom,
and I pray for those still on the journey.
O Jesus, keep them all close to your Sacred Heart,
and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.
Amen!
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