Category Archives: Diocese

Diocese of London

 

Recently, we celebrated the priesthood with the funeral of Fr. Vince Gleeson. It was good to see so many Knights come out to pray for him and to give thanks to God for the 56 years of faithful ministry that he provided our diocese. Fr. Vince spent several years at our Diocesan Mission in northern Peru, where he began a credit union to help poor farmers and so that children may have school supplies each September. At priest’s funerals, before the final prayer, all priests sing the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) as a send off for our brother. As we honoured Our Lady during the month of May, it was quite comforting to know that one of her sons was welcomed home to the house of the Father.

With my prayers,

Fr. Patrick Bénéteau

Director of Vocations and Seminarians

Message from Vocations Director

 

Dear brother Knights,

The month of January brings to a close the Christmas season, with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, and those famous words that our Heavenly Father spoke when Jesus arose from the waters of the Jordan: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The baptismal grace of sonship (becoming sons of God), and being freed from original sin, bestows upon us our fundamental vocation in life – to become truly a son of God, means that we are called to holiness. We are called to become saints, which is the fulfillment of our relationship with God our Father. Yet, this grace carries with it tremendous responsibility. If my fundamental and most basic relationship in life is that of a beloved son of God – what difference does this identity make in my life? Does it change the way I speak? Does it influence the way I spend my time? Would my co-workers, and other friends, know that I see myself as a beloved son of God in the witness of my life? These are challenging questions indeed, and we will spend a lifetime working them through – but always with the help of God’s grace. As we begin this Year of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis, let us allow the merciful gaze of the Father to bring to our minds and hearts once again, the fact that we are His beloved sons. This is our vocation!

Fr. Patrick Beneteau

Director of Vocations and Seminarians

Diocese of London

Message from Vocations Director

Dear brother Knights,

Advent blessings to all of you!  It is with great joy that I begin my regular column in your newsletter, bringing a special focus on how we, as Knights, can promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  This past year, a “Vocations Handbook” was published by  Supreme Council, (http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/vocations/vocations.pdf), encouraging us once again to be promoters of God’s call, in the lives of our young people.  I would invite you to use this handbook in your council, as it offers some great advice and ideas for promoting vocations as brother Knights.

The time of Advent is now upon us.  Each year, the season of Advent, in a very discreet way, reminds us of the person of St. Joseph.  St. Joseph is a great example for us Knights, and also shows us how to foster God’s call in the lives of our children, grandchildren and parish families. 

St. Joseph is noted for having a deep sense of sacrifice and obedience to God’s will.  St. Joseph had to set aside his own plans and desires, over and over again, so that God’s plans could be realized, and that Jesus, our Saviour, would be able to respond to His Father’s plan of salvation. 

Joseph had to leave his carpenter’s trade in Nazareth, for a time, and head to Bethlehem, and then to Egypt, because of bad government decisions.  He then returns and lives out his life hidden from the public eye, but ensuring that the Christ-child has all that He needs for growth in faith and love.  So often, young men are deterred from considering a call to the priesthood, because their fathers, or mothers, may have other plans and desires for them.  If we are ever tempted with such thoughts, let us turn to St. Joseph and ask for his intercession, so that we too may have the same spirit of sacrificial love, so that Christ may continue to be born upon our altars at each and every Mass, through the hands of a Catholic priest.

With my prayers,

Fr. Patrick Beneteau

Director of Vocations and Seminarians

Diocese of London