St. Mary of Vernon’s Seminarians Ministry is an opportunity to support vocations by promoting ways to encourage and pray for seminarians as they work through their studies on their journey to priesthood through a unique partnership between the parish and the seminary.  

We offered two main networking events each year.   These gatherings include prayer, food, games, gifts and the opportunity for seminarians to interact with parishioners in a casual social setting. 

We also support the men through prayer and raised awareness of vocations through bulletin articles about the men who are assigned to SMV each year.  We send cards and notes of encouragement from parishioners to seminarians to mark their significant steps to priesthood. 

Now in its second year the Teaching Parish Program has assigned two Seminarians who will be with us until their ordinations. They are here to experience different parish ministries and to see how parishes work behind the scenes.  

Since 2014 we have been the “Home Parish” for a new Seminarian, Patrick Gorman, who did not have a local home parish.  Patrick is now in his second year of Theology. There is a monetary fee involved that will be paid by the parish; in addition the Knights of Columbus and Men’s Club agreed to help Patrick pay for his books each year.

For more information on vocations visit www.chicagopriest.org.