October 6, 2010

Andrew Dinners: Men considering priesthood invited to break bread with priests, bishops

By John Gleason

In the coming months, a series of Andrew Dinners for men who feel they may have a call to the priesthood have been scheduled throughout the Archdiocese of Denver. 

The dinners, named after St. Andrew the Apostle,  are an opportunity for young men considering the priesthood to come together with priests and bishops of the archdiocese in a relaxed atmosphere where they can talk freely about God’s calling.

The idea for the dinner is not new, according to Father Jim Crisman, director of the Office of Priestly Vocations.  Success in other dioceses and in a local parish with a similar program was a factor in increasing the number of dinners in Colorado.

“St. Thomas Aquinas in Boulder has held these dinners in past years,” Father Crisman told the Denver Catholic Register. “This year the vocations office wanted to broaden the scope across the whole diocese.”

The dinners follow the example set by St. Andrew, originally a follower of John the Baptist, as described in the Gospel of St. John: “Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard John and followed Jesus.  He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ and brought him to Jesus” (1:40-42).

Father Crisman is enthusiastic about the dinners which, like the RAD (Radical Awareness of Discipleship) retreats, are simply another way to introduce men to the idea of priesthood.

“I can send out e-mails and invitations but I haven’t met all the young men in the diocese,” he said. “I can go to parishes and give talks but I may not meet all the young men face to face. However, their pastors already know them; the priest can say, ‘Because I know you and I think you’d make a good priest, I want to invite you to come to this dinner.’”

In a recent study conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, a majority of newly ordained men said that an invitation from a priest was a major factor in their decision to seriously discern a vocation to the priesthood, Father Crisman said.

“Nearly 80 percent of those ordained, began their journey by being invited by a priest,” he said.  “That’s a pivotal point that got them to the seminary, where discernment for a vocation to the priesthood happens.  So what we’re doing is offering an opportunity to the priests of the archdiocese to make the invitation.”

The evenings will consist of dinner followed by a question and answer session with the bishop and priests in attendance. The Boulder dinner will conclude with a Mass.

The schedule of Andrew Dinners is: 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, 904 14th St., Boulder; 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Sacred Heart Parish, 38044 Weld County Road 16, Roggen; and 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., is scheduled to be at the dinners in Boulder and Roggen while Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley will attend the dinner in Denver.  Father Crisman said there are plans for other dinners to be held next year, the dates to be determined.

Young men who are interested in attending the Andrew Dinner in their area may call their pastor, or call Father Crisman at 303-282-3429 or email Info@Priest4Christ.com for more information.