Vocations office has new director, associate director |
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Written by ANGELA KESSLER, Chronicle Editor
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Friday, 01 August 2008 01:00 |
TOLEDO—Men and women discerning their call to priesthood or religious life will be greeted with new faces in the Diocese of Toledo’s Office of Vocations.
Both the director and associate director positions were changed this summer with Father Adam Hertzfeld taking the helm of the office July 1 and Yvonne Dubielek joining him as associate director Aug. 4.
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Father Adam Hertzfeld
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Fr. Hertzfeld sees his role as director of vocations as one that plays a connecting role between those discerning a life of service to the church and helping lead them through the process.
"God calls them, we help them discern," he says.
Beginning the discernment process, Fr. Hertzfeld believes, has a lot to do with personal influence — of God at Mass, in the Blessed Sacrament, local parish priests and other priests in a young man’s life. His role is to be another good example and to guide young men on their journey.
There are several programs in the vocations office to help men discern a call to the priesthood.
Fr. Hertzfeld is in the midst of planning the annual fall retreat for college-age men. He also wants to coordinate for junior high and high school students periodic pilgrimages, especially to local sites.
"Pilgrimages do a lot to stir up a person’s faith," he says.
Another way he encourages people to listen for a call or discern their vocation is prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
"The very tangible reality of Christ’s presence can’t be understated," he says. "It allows a heart-to- heart conversation with the Lord."
Ordained a priest in 2002, Fr. Hertzfeld began his ministry as associate pastor at Findlay St. Michael until 2005. From there, he went to Rome to complete his license in sacred theology and then doctorate in the same field at the Pontifical North American College.
This was Fr. Hertzfeld’s second time studying at Pontifical North American College, having attended seminary there as well. While the first time he lived with about 200 other Americans, this time he lived at Casa Santa Maria with just 70 American graduate students.
He describes the house located in the center of Rome as a fantastic place, where he could visit any number of ancient churches and saints’ tombs without having to travel very far.
"I felt closer to them," he says, explaining that their examples taught him that perseverance in faith is a great virtue.
Joining Fr. Hertzfeld in the Office of Vocations is Mrs. Dubielek, who has spent her career in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Toledo. Most recently, she was principal of Toledo Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Prior to that she was principal of Toledo St. Catherine and taught at both St. Catherine and the former Toledo St. Theresa.
As the first layperson in the Office of Vocations, Mrs. Dubielek says she brings a different perspective to the office. With her background in schools, she believes it will help the office begin programs in schools and talking with young people about vocations.
In addition, she thinks the perspective of a married woman is also a good one for the office. She compares her ability to help young people through their discernment to that of a priest counseling a young couple planning for marriage.
Growing up in New Riegel and living in Toledo the past 23 years, Mrs. Dubielek brings a varied Catholic experience to the office as well. She has lived in both rural and metropolitan areas and has been an active member of her parishes.
In Toledo, she and her family belong to Our Lady of Perpetual Help where she is a cantor and eucharistic minister. In the past, she has been involved in music ministry with youth and young adults, prison ministry and helped organize a number of retreats for both youth and special needs individuals.
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Last Updated on Friday, 07 November 2008 08:59 |
