Vocations Fair Highlights Options for Religious Service

Celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, the Congregation of the Mission sought to open St. John’s University students’ eyes to possibilities that exist throughout the Church at the Vincentian Vocation Office’s third annual Vocation Festival. 

The event, held in the D’Angelo Center courtyard on October 24, brought together representatives of 17 Catholic religious communities, some from as close by as Brooklyn and Queens NY, others as far away as Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC. Attendees were greeted with food and soft drinks and music from DJ Zeke, also known as Ezekiel O. Akinyemi ’08TCB.

“People might not realize it, but my first events as a DJ included playing in churches around St. John’s,” Mr. Akinyemi said. “So, it’s great to be here; it always is.”

Organized by the Rev. Luis Romero, C.M. ’14C, Vocation Director for the Congregation of the Mission of the Eastern Province, the event celebrated the diversity of vocation options within the Church. Possibilities ranged from priestly vocations within the Diocese of Brooklyn to missionary orders such as the Blessed Trinity Ministry Institute and the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers.    

St. John’s Vincentian heritage was represented by the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity. 

“It is important that people know the different ways they can serve,” said Fr. Romero, whose office is in St. Thomas More Church on the Queens, NY campus. “Every year, we are seeing more and more people coming by. The hope is that every year we will continue to grow this event.”

Among the attendees was Estevao Neitzke, a sophomore Philosophy major from Brazil attending Redemptorist Mater Seminary in Queens Village, NY, with plans to become a priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Estevao recalled the first time he gave serious thought to the priesthood.

“It was at an event similar to this,” Estevao said. “Someone asked about my plan for the future. It started to take shape in my mind. Little by little, God helped me to see that he has a plan for me. That is what today is about.”

Sr. Jean Rhoads, D.C., representing the Daughters of Charity, hoped the event prompted other students to consider a life of service in the Church. 

“In our current world, there are so many needs out there and people might not be aware that there are so many people focused on doing good for others,” Sr. Jean said. “An event like this is really to help young people know that this is an option for their lives.”