News

Xavier House open to men discerning call

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

A place for Catholic men to live in Christian community and discern God's call in their lives through prayer, brotherhood and service is now open in the Diocese of Green Bay.

Last week, Bp. David Zubik blessed the Xavier Catholic Men's Discernment House at St. Francis Xavier Parish in De Pere.

"It's a place for men, who are at least 18 years old, who are thinking about the possibility of priesthood," said Fr. Tom Long, Vocation Director. "We don't ask for any more of a commitment from them other than to be thinking about and being open to that call."

"It's a place to talk to other guys, to get to know them and to know that they are not alone," he added. "It is an environment of prayer and faith sharing which will help them make a sound decision."

"It's helpful in my being able to know them better and them getting to know me better," said Fr. Long, who resides at Xavier House. "If they go on to seminary, we already have a relationship established for ongoing formation."

Fr. Long previously lived at the rectory at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Green Bay. It served as an informal discernment house. Since January of 2006, seven men had lived at the rectory at different times while discerning the call to diocesan priesthood. Four are now in seminary.

Xavier House, which has six bedrooms, can accommodate up to 10 men. An upstairs room was converted into a chapel. The space became available following the retirement of Fr. Tony Dolski, former pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish. The building will continue to house the parish offices. The diocese is renting the remaining space for the discernment house.

"The parish did a lot of remodeling to the building in the past months," said Fr. Long. "I am very grateful to the parish for its support."

A monthly discernment group, which previously met at UW-Green Bay, now meets at Xavier House. The space will also be open for use by seminarians. It will also serve as a place of outreach for non-residents seeking Christian fellowship, discipleship and help in vocational discernment, said Fr. Long.

"It's a great location because it's close to St. Norbert (College) as well as a good location for students at UWGB," he said. "We will offer discernment events there and possibly some other things for St. Norbert students."

Fr. Long will invite men to live at Xavier House. Those with jobs will be asked to help with rent and food expenses. Residents will sign a document outlining a personal commitment to community living.

"Generally, they will be people I have been working with," he said. "They will live at the house for up to a year with some flexibility. There will be some common prayer each night. People have busy schedules, but we hope to get together for some common meals. We will be asking guys to hook up with a spiritual director."

"From my experience at Ss. Peter & Paul, I hope that some men are able to get involved in the parish," he added. "There was good interaction between parishioners at Ss. Peter & Paul and the guys. It gives the guys a sense of parish life and what rectory living might be like."

A resident does not need to move on to seminary for the Xavier House living experience to be a success. If a man decides he is called to married life, it's better to reach that conclusion at this stage of the discernment process, said Fr. Long.

"I'm looking forward to this opportunity," he said. "It's good to get to know the men, pray with them and to be there together."

To help support the Xavier Catholic Men's Discernment House or for vocation information, contact Fr. Long at (920)272-8293, 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8293 or e-mail: vocations@gbdioc.org.