Raleigh, N.C., Sep 13, 2009 / 02:37 pm (CNA).- The Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina is offering its prayers for holy priests by spending time in front of the Eucharist.  While parishes and schools in the diocese have committed to holding a Holy Hour for Vocations on the first Friday of each month, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge will travel to one Deanery a month where the faithful will be invited to join him in a Holy Hour dedicated to vocations.

The first Deanery Holy Hour for Vocations was celebrated Wednesday, September 2 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh. Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presided with Diocesan Vocations Director Fr. Ned Shlesinger the homilist.

In his homily, Father Shlesinger discussed a trip he took this summer to Honduras with Father Pat Keane, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Newton Grove and newly ordained Deacon Vic Gournas, who is entering his final year of Theology at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. Father Shlesinger noted the shortage of priests in that Central American country, where there is one priest for every 13,000 Catholics. He said many Hondurans are hungry for the Eucharist, having access to the sacrament only a few times a year.

“The greatest desire of God ... is to give Himself to us,” Father Shlesinger said. “To have us share in His life, to join us to Him.”

“As Vocations Director,” Father Shlesinger added, “I pray God will give us holy Priests so no one in our diocese will go hungry.”

For more diocesan information about vocations and the Year for Priests, visit:  http://www.dioceseofraleigh.org/how/vocations/yfp/

Printed with permission from the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina.

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