Supporting Orlando Diocese Seminarians
As the strong right arm of the church, the Knights of Columbus are committed to providing moral, financial and spiritual support to our future priests and religious at all stages of their formation. Our Council 5618 Knights are keeping the faith alive by supporting our seminarians and postulants. Currently, the Council supports 3 Orlando Seminarians financially, morally and spiritually.
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Donate with a Text Message:
Text 1-888-444-8774 using the keyword ‘vocations’.
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Donate by Check:
Send your check to: Knights of Columbus Bishop Thomas J. Grady Council 5618 P.O. Box 150517 Altamonte Springs, FL 32715-0517 Please add "Vocations" in the memo field of your check. |
Our Council's Financially Supported Seminarians and Their 2021 Updates
We asked the 3 Seminarians we support financially for an update on what they will be doing this next academic year. Their stories will be updated during our 2021 Vocations Fundraiser.
Joshua Theisen
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Our newest Seminarian sarting in July, 2021 is Joshua Theisen, replacing the newly ordained Robert Marquez.
Joshua is attending St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. He is from Winter Haven and calls St. Matthew’s Catholic Church his home parish. Please pray for Joshua and help support his education by making a donation today. |
Joshua Theisen
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Father Robert Marquez
Father Robert Marquez
On May 29, 2021, Robert Marquez was ordained a priest and is currently a Parochial Vicar at St. James Cathedral in Orlando Florida. Praise be to God!
On May 29, 2021, Robert Marquez was ordained a priest and is currently a Parochial Vicar at St. James Cathedral in Orlando Florida. Praise be to God!
St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary
St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary
Boynton Beach, FL 33436
Since its founding in 1963 St. Vincent has granted degrees to nearly 500 priests who have gone on to serve parishes throughout Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere. The only bilingual multicultural theologate in the southeastern U.S., St. Vincent is also a free standing, graduate professional school of theology committed to providing continuing education for clergy, religious and laypersons of all denominations. The seminary is owned by the seven dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church in Florida.
Boynton Beach, FL 33436
Since its founding in 1963 St. Vincent has granted degrees to nearly 500 priests who have gone on to serve parishes throughout Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere. The only bilingual multicultural theologate in the southeastern U.S., St. Vincent is also a free standing, graduate professional school of theology committed to providing continuing education for clergy, religious and laypersons of all denominations. The seminary is owned by the seven dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church in Florida.
A VOCATION Message from our Council's Chaplain
Dear Brother Knights and family members, for me, VOCATION is a simple word with a supernatural and meaningful power. The power of God calling and the power of receiving God’s call. I think, because of my faith, that everyone is called by the same voice of God but sadly not everyone is ready to respond. When God calls, He is empowering the called. Vocation is never an imposition but always an invitation. So, all those who are called, have the freedom to respond with a simple answer: Here I am Lord.
It is amazing to know that we can always speak with God in an intimate conversation where we can express to Him our fears, hopes, and human desires, because God is listening and will respond at the proper time. It is called PRAYER. In his infinite love, God is calling everyone by name to have a dialogue with us, showing us his will; the universal vocation for human beings: HOLINESS.
It is important to notice that God’s love is multiform, and the diversity of his love is as vast as the many gifts and talents that everybody has received. So, God’s call is specifically for everyone to fulfil his/her/their final destiny TO BE HOLY, which is the height of human and spiritual vocation. Let us be clear, “destiny” is a term which in general means the preordained order of events. Human destiny, therefore, is the divine ordering of all secondary causes by God leading to the goal of human existence, which is the heavenly possession of God. But always this destiny is conditional, depending on one's voluntary co-operation with divine grace. In pagan terms, destiny is the fate to which a person is necessarily predestined. (Etym. Latin de, down + stanare, to cause to stand: destinare, to destine, resolve firmly.)” catholic Dictionary.
We want to see, understand and work the power of FREEDOM given to us by God, to participate in his wisdom with confidence, with generosity, with happiness and by loving our brothers and sisters when the response is as good stewards: YES, I WILL. LORD SEND ME. In other words, we can say that the ultimate destiny for everyone is to respond to His call without hesitation, fear or doubts, but with certain love and faith.
Regarding to Priesthood, it is the same process with some particularities. For instance, those called to be a priest are also challenged to see beyond all human wishes. That is placing God first in all things. It is also an act of pure trust in Him. That is why candidates to the priesthood agree to experience the seminary life for some period dedicated to praying, studying and living Jesus’ life to be configured with Him; this is a time of vocational discernment. And, when a candidate is ready and shows that he really ready, then the Church will also call him for his ordination; not before.
The entire world affirms how important priesthood is and we want to improve the atmosphere offered for the preparation of our candidates to become priests. Let us keep giving our spiritual support, our financial help and our consistent accompaniment to those whom the Lord has called to become Herald of His Word and Stewards of his people. Please, keep in mind that, once they are entrusted with priesthood in his ordination, priests also need the power given by God to keep saying day after day: YES, HERE I AM OH LORD, I WANT AND HELP ME TO DO YOUR WILL.
Your worthy Chaplain,
Fr. Frank Lobo (Wolf)
It is amazing to know that we can always speak with God in an intimate conversation where we can express to Him our fears, hopes, and human desires, because God is listening and will respond at the proper time. It is called PRAYER. In his infinite love, God is calling everyone by name to have a dialogue with us, showing us his will; the universal vocation for human beings: HOLINESS.
It is important to notice that God’s love is multiform, and the diversity of his love is as vast as the many gifts and talents that everybody has received. So, God’s call is specifically for everyone to fulfil his/her/their final destiny TO BE HOLY, which is the height of human and spiritual vocation. Let us be clear, “destiny” is a term which in general means the preordained order of events. Human destiny, therefore, is the divine ordering of all secondary causes by God leading to the goal of human existence, which is the heavenly possession of God. But always this destiny is conditional, depending on one's voluntary co-operation with divine grace. In pagan terms, destiny is the fate to which a person is necessarily predestined. (Etym. Latin de, down + stanare, to cause to stand: destinare, to destine, resolve firmly.)” catholic Dictionary.
We want to see, understand and work the power of FREEDOM given to us by God, to participate in his wisdom with confidence, with generosity, with happiness and by loving our brothers and sisters when the response is as good stewards: YES, I WILL. LORD SEND ME. In other words, we can say that the ultimate destiny for everyone is to respond to His call without hesitation, fear or doubts, but with certain love and faith.
Regarding to Priesthood, it is the same process with some particularities. For instance, those called to be a priest are also challenged to see beyond all human wishes. That is placing God first in all things. It is also an act of pure trust in Him. That is why candidates to the priesthood agree to experience the seminary life for some period dedicated to praying, studying and living Jesus’ life to be configured with Him; this is a time of vocational discernment. And, when a candidate is ready and shows that he really ready, then the Church will also call him for his ordination; not before.
The entire world affirms how important priesthood is and we want to improve the atmosphere offered for the preparation of our candidates to become priests. Let us keep giving our spiritual support, our financial help and our consistent accompaniment to those whom the Lord has called to become Herald of His Word and Stewards of his people. Please, keep in mind that, once they are entrusted with priesthood in his ordination, priests also need the power given by God to keep saying day after day: YES, HERE I AM OH LORD, I WANT AND HELP ME TO DO YOUR WILL.
Your worthy Chaplain,
Fr. Frank Lobo (Wolf)
Vocation Prayer
Please pray for vocations.
God our Father,
we thank you for
calling men and women to serve in your
Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and
consecrated persons.
Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond
generously and courageously to your call.
May our community of faith support vocations of
sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives
and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
God our Father,
we thank you for
calling men and women to serve in your
Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and
consecrated persons.
Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond
generously and courageously to your call.
May our community of faith support vocations of
sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives
and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.