Joy found in serving others at Vocations Office retreat

Despite it being the middle of summer, clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Gruenert Center were filled with Christmas cheer on July 21.

That morning, individuals attending the adult day training program in the Lake Hopatcong neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., enjoyed singing carols and receiving wrapped presents during a “Christmas in July” celebration. The Gruenert Center is operated by the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD), a division of Paterson Diocesan Catholic Charities in New Jersey.

There, 20 seminarians and young men discerning the priesthood helped staff and volunteers distribute the presents to the clients, who were smiling and laughing. The young men’s visit was part of a Service Retreat at Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown they joined from July 20 to 24, sponsored by the Paterson Diocesan Vocations Office.

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Deacon Jender A. Medina, 36, was one of the participants moved by the joy expressed by the clients of the Gruenert Center. He is a seminarian and transitional deacon serving St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J., who anticipates being called to priestly ordination next year.

“The clients were happy with simple things. They got presents such as socks or puzzles. It made me thankful for the blessings I have received,” said Deacon Medina. “I served this week because I love Jesus. I also need to be an example to others as a deacon.”

During the week, these men, aged 15 to 36, traveled to various locations throughout the diocese for service projects, prayer, worship, and recreation.

During the week, they gardened, tended to the graves, and spent time with Sisters of Christian Charity at their North American Province in Mendham, N.J. They also helped clean up Finnegan House, a DPD group home in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson, N.J., followed by lunch with the residents.

“We were grateful for their visit. They made the graves look beautiful. They helped us honor the sisters who came before us,” said Sister of Charity Theresa Marie Tran, director of Villa Pauline Retreat and Spiritual Center in Mendham, who said the sisters also prayed with the men.

As part of the retreat, the young men also built benches at Loyola for the Discalced Carmelites of the Most Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel monastery in Morristown. They bagged food for clients of the Father English Food Pantry in Paterson, N.J., and worked in the garden that provides the pantry fresh produce. They also helped clean up St. Anthony School in Hawthorne, N.J.

“Many diocesan Catholics have heard about Father English or DPD, but these men saw them up close. That affected their hearts, which were filled with appreciation for what happens behind the scenes to serve the least of us,” said Father Charles Lana, diocesan vocations director, who led the retreat.

The men had fun as well. They attended a New Jersey Jackals baseball game at Hinchcliffe Stadium in Paterson. They also toured St. John the Baptist Cathedral, also in Paterson, guided by Msgr. Raymond Kupke, diocesan archivist.

At Loyola Jesuit Center, the men prayed together; shared their faith, meals, and vocation journeys; and reflected on the day’s events. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joined the men for activities throughout the week. He celebrated a closing Mass on July 24.

“I made friends this week. I also got to know people who are in the process of discerning the priesthood or have already decided on it and are happier than ever,” said Gabriel Devia, 15, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Boonton, N.J., who is discerning.

Bishop Sweeney asked the Vocations Office to undertake the Service Retreat, inspired by a similar program of the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

“This week helped me help others and not be self-centered,” said John Knowles, 22, a senior at Gettysburg College and a parishioner of St. Vincent’s in Madison, N.J., who is discerning. “I learned about helping the Church and the people of the Church as a priest: as shepherd and father,” Knowles said.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI