Seton encourages students to consider life of vocations

By Mary O’Connor Cornes, The Catholic Sun
April 19, 2007

CHANDLER — More than 500 students and staff listened to priests, sisters and married couples at Seton Catholic High School’s recent vocation fair.

The March 30 fair featured panels and vendors representing many religious vocations and gave students time to explore and observe, said Pat Collins, Seton principal.

“You never know what’s going to plant the seed,” Collins said. “This is a joyous atmosphere associated with a way of life and vocations.”

The day started with Mass celebrated by visiting Franciscan Father David Engo, who serves a high school in west Philadelphia. Fr. Engo was the event’s keynote speaker.

During his address, Fr. Engo explained the concept of vocations through simple yet important questions.

“Why am I alive? Why do I exist? This is the concept of vocation,” the priest said. He expounded on the vocations of married life, priestly life and religious life.

“The key for you is to take time in silence to say, ‘Lord, what do you want of me?’” Fr. Engo added.

“Follow the call that’s on your heart, don’t be afraid,” he said. “Start praying for it. Preserve yourself from this day forward for that person. Live in perfect chastity.”

Six Seton Catholic alumni have answered the call to the priesthood or religious life. Four are currently in seminaries studying for the priesthood, one is a novitiate with the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration and one joined the Legionaries of Christ.