The Diocese of Raleigh is pleased to have 20 seminarians enrolled in priestly formation this year.
Since 2016, the Office of Vocations has been led by Reverend Philip M. Tighe, until his death on August 31, 2020, following a battle with cancer.
Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama appointed Very Reverend Jeffrey A. Bowker, V.F., Pastor of Saint Therese Parish, Wilson, and Dean of the Tar River Deanery, Director of Seminarian Formation.
In addition, Reverend James J. Magee, III, Administrator of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Tarboro and Chaplain of John Paul II High School in Greenville, is appointed Promoter of Vocations.
From Louisiana to Philadelphia, the seminarians are enrolled in five different schools. In the video, Seeing beyond one seminary, Bishop Zarama explains that each seminary has its own gifts. He says having seminarians attending different schools throughout the country helps them to see diverse formations and bring the differences back to the service of the diocese.
Bishop Zarama has added a pastoral year in the formation program of diocesan seminarians. The purpose of a pastoral year is to give a seminarian ongoing formation (Human, Spiritual, Academic and Pastoral) in discernment towards the Diocesan Priesthood while participating in the daily life of a parish and under the supervision of one of our diocesan priests.
Nicolas Rapkoch and Andreas Arevelo are serving their pastoral years at St. Thomas More parish, Chapel Hill, and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Raleigh, respectively.
Pray for each seminarian by name and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and to religious life.
Download the poster (PDF)