Associates Program

The Associates Programs have been specifically tailored to cater to two age groups of discerning men:

“Friends of Frassati” (High School Associates Program)

Who is invited?         
Young men who are in grade 11 or 12 that are open to nurturing their Catholic faith to discerning God’s will in their lives

Purpose?                   
To grow in faith and to practice it following the model of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

When?                       
Once a month; October to May

Where?                      
Six regional locations – talk to your pastor to find the closest location to you

This program runs once a month in a host parishe, and is usually lead by two  priests who work within the given region.  This group offers senior male high school students the opportunity to deepen their faith and become more attentive to God’s love and God’s will in their lives.  The evenings normally begin with a light dinner and continue with a discussion session based on the topic for the night followed by time for personal prayer.  Topics that will be discussed are: the universal call to holiness, living in a secular culture, encountering Christ, a spiritual plan of life, saintly heroism, plugging into Catholic culture, discerning God’s will and dealing with the “hard” questions.  This program  offers students the opportunity to form friendships with others who, like themselves, are discerning God’s will in their lives.  This program also includes the opportunity to attend a weekend retreat at St. Augustine’s Seminary led by seminarians in formation. Other opportunities for formation and social gatherings will be provided.

If you are interested in participating in this program, or have any questions, please contact the regional contact closest to you, your pastor or the vocations office.  Please continue to pray for those who are called to serve the Lord at His Altar, and those who are discerning this call in their lives.

Friends of Frassati   2010/2011 

Region                                          Contacts:

Scarborough /Markham        Fr. Paul Magyar   416 298-0989
                                                     Fr. Russell Asch   905 294-5955        

Durham                                      Fr. Moroscoe Lett   905 839-9774
                                                     Fr. Allyn Rose   905 831-3353

Mississauga                            Fr. Silvio Eljuga   905 820-1444
                                                   

Brampton/Caledon                  Fr. Steve Dickson    905 792-7497
                                                     Fr. Kim D’Souza    905 453-1303

York/Simcoe                             Fr. Boniface Perri    905 775-2065        

                                                     Fr. Joe Gorman    905 727-4594

University/ College/ Working Associates (ages 18+)

Who is invited?         
Men who are 18 years of age or older, and are open to or in the process of discerning a vocation to the priesthood

Purpose?                   
To help guide, encourage, support and catechize those who are considering this calling and to foster a culture of vocations

When?                       
Every other Tuesday from September to May

Where?                      
Serra House (located at 226A St. George St. in Toronto)

The Post Secondary School Associates program is offered to men who have completed their high school diploma and are discerning the Lord’s call in their life.  This program runs every other Tuesday, and is led by the vocations director, the associate vocations director and one other priest.  This group offers those men who are in university, college or are working, the opportunity to learn about the faith and the priesthood in a relaxed atmosphere.  The evenings normally begin with a light dinner and continue with a discussion session based on the topic for the night.  Some of the topics that will be discussed include: Personal Relationship with Jesus, the Eucharist, Chastity & Celibacy, Church, Prayer, Confession and more.  This program  offers young men the opportunity to form friendships with others who, like themselves, are discerning this call, as well as with priests and seminarians who are currently engaged in living this call.  This program also includes a silent retreat that takes place at Manresa Retreat Center.  This retreat provides another wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into your relationship with God, and to truly get in touch with where He is calling you.  Furthermore, participants in this program often attend “Come and See” retreats that are held at the seminary, which allow participants to interact with seminarians, and also to experience life in the seminary.  This program also includes other gatherings which include vocation events, retreats, pilgrimages and social outings.
If you are interested in participating in this program, or have any questions, please contact your pastor or the vocations office.  Please continue to pray for those who are called to serve the Lord at His Altar, and those who are discerning this call in their lives.