This week I was told by Father Thomas that he is being transferred by his community to a new position in New Jersey. He is now on vacation with his family in Nigeria and will officially begin his new assignment at the beginning of the new year. We thank Father for his priestly ministry here at Saint Joan of Arc and promise to keep him in our prayers. May God bless him in all his future endeavors!

As we say good-bye to Father Thomas, we reflect on the need for many more priestly and religious vocations in the church and especially in the Diocese of Harrisburg. As 2016 draws near, may we all pray for many vocations from our parish in Hershey. While the influence of priests and sisters are important, all vocations begin in the home. The family is truly the “incubator” of vocations. Parents play such an important role in the lives of their children. A vocation can either be fostered or hindered by attitudes within families. An individual will never really be happy if he or she is not following the will of God. Parents only want their children to be happy. Therefore, let us pray that our sons and daughters truly respond to God’s will if the Lord is calling them to priesthood or religious life. When it comes to the vocations of our children, there can be no greater prayer than “Thy will be done!”

Father Al