CamdenPriest

09/05/2026

He had worn an alb before. He knew the Mass by heart. But this time, when Stephen McClain put on his collar, everything felt different.

“I knew how to vest, where to stand, and the order of the Mass,” McClain said. “But putting on my collar for the first time was what really struck me that this was real, that there was no going back.”

There was something else he felt in that moment, too.

“But there was also peace, that this is where I should be right now.”

McClain, of Church of the Incarnation, Mantua, is one of four young men welcomed Aug. 9 as new seminarians for the Diocese of Camden. On Aug. 14, the Vigil of the Assumption, all four vested for the first time in the choir room of Saint Ann Church, Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Wildwood.

And they share something else in common: Each young man got to this moment because someone saw something in him and told him, “You would make a good priest.”

Sometimes, a vocation begins with a simple invitation — someone seeing God's call in you before you can see it yourself.

Please keep Stephen and our three other new seminarians in your prayers as they begin their journey toward the priesthood.

The Diocese of Camden has numerous ways to help men discern how to listen for God’s call in their lives.

Learn more in the latest edition of the Catholic Star Herald and at catholicstarherald.org/four-men-of-diocese-talk-about-why-they-entered-seminary-this-year/

08/31/2026

Pilgrimage Day in NYC!

Some of our seminarians at Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral for a day of prayer, fellowship, history, and formation as they continue their journey toward the priesthood. It was a full and meaningful day, and a wonderful way to kick off the new year together as a community before this week’s retreat and the start of classes.

Many blessings to all for the new year!

08/18/2026

Four young men recognized for answering God’s call to become “laborers for His harvest," at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Williams, come from parishes across South Jersey: Stephen McClain from Church of the Incarnation - Mantua, NJ, Bryan Norquist from Saint Bridget University Parish in Glassboro, Jaccob Akerlind from Seton Absecon Parish in Absecon, and Brendan Lacey from Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church Merchantville.

Each of these men grew in his discernment through the Diocese’s Called by Name initiative. Last November, Catholics throughout South Jersey were invited to submit the names of young men they believed might be called to the priesthood. In the months that followed, those men were invited to events and gatherings to meet and walk with members of the Diocese’s Vocations Team.

Please join us in praying for Brendan, Stephen, Bryan and Jaccob as they continue to discern and respond generously to God’s call.

📸 John Kalitz

See photo gallery: https://catholicstarherald82.pixieset.com/newseminarianmasscatholiccommunityoftheholyspiritmullicahill/

See more in the upcoming edition of the Catholic Star Herald and here: catholicstarherald.org/diocese-welcomes-four-new-seminarians/

St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie
Seton Hall Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology

08/17/2026

What happens before seminarians become classmates?

They become brothers.

Most young men who wonder about the priesthood assume they will be doing it alone. Last week, our seminarians played volleyball on the beach together.

Every year, between the New Seminarian Welcome Mass and the Wedding of the Sea, our vocations directors take the seminarians on retreat at San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch. They enjoy a week set aside for prayer, study, and growing closer to God.

Once the academic year begins, it can be easy to think of seminary as a group of men taking classes and completing their assignments. That is why the Diocese of Camden makes time for retreats, outings, prayer, meals, and even games of volleyball.

“It’s easy to get the mindset of being classmates in the same program when school starts,” seminarian Domenic DeStefano said. “I think that’s where the Diocese of Camden is different. We intentionally set time aside for retreats and outings to remind ourselves that we are first and foremost brothers on the road to holiness.”

Seminary is where they receive their education and formation, but it is also where they learn to pray together, challenge one another, laugh together, and spend time with each other. Before they return to the classroom, this retreat gives them time to remember that they are brothers preparing to follow Christ together.

If you're a young man (16–39) wondering if God might be calling you, or whether seminary means going through formation on your own, you don’t have to figure this out alone.

Reach out to a vocations director or learn more at: https://camdenpriest.org/

08/15/2026

Our seminarians joined Bishop Sullivan in Atlantic City today!

08/15/2026

Our seminarians joined the Notre Dame de la Mer Parish - the Wildwoods community with Bishop Sullivan for the Assumption vigil Mass, procession, and Wedding of the Sea in Wildwood!

08/09/2026

You helped these young men find their vocation by telling them they might make a good priest.

At the New Seminarian Welcome Mass at the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit in Mullica Hill, Bishop Joseph Williams welcomed Brendan Lacey, Stephen McClain, Bryan Norquist, and Jaccob Akerlind as seminarians for the Diocese of Camden.

Last fall, the Office of Vocations asked Catholics across South Jersey to submit the names of young men they believed might have a vocation to the priesthood through Called By Name.

All four of the men welcomed today were first recognized by you, accepted your invitation, and said YES to discern a vocation to the priesthood because of you.

During his homily, Bishop Williams compared their decision to Saint Peter stepping out of the boat in today’s Gospel.

“We have four men who are leaving the boat today,” Bishop Williams said. “For the first time, they are discerning whether Christ might be calling them to give up everything, to leave everything behind, to follow Him. That takes courage, doesn’t it?”

And like Peter, they don’t know what will happen once they step out. Seminary is where Brendan, Stephen, Bryan, and Jaccob will discern whether Jesus is calling them to become priests. They will receive guidance, formation, and community while they listen for His answer.

Bishop Williams gave them one instruction: “Don’t be afraid. Keep your eyes on Jesus.”

Today, these four young men stepped out of the boat, but before they could take that step, someone recognized something in each of them and called them by name.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a name through Called By Name. Today, you got to see what can happen when you have the courage to tell a young man, “Have you ever thought about becoming a priest?”

If you’re a young man (16–39) wondering if God might be calling you, or someone has told you that you should consider the priesthood, you don’t have to figure this out alone. Reach out to a vocations director or learn more at: camdenpriest.org

See photo: gallery: https://catholicstarherald82.pixieset.com/newseminarianmasscatholiccommunityoftheholyspiritmullicahill/

08/09/2026

Bishop Joseph Williams welcomes four new seminarians during this Mass! What a blessed celebration for the Diocese!

Catholic Community of the Holy SpiritMullica Hill NJ 08062Permiss...

08/04/2026

"The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus." - Saint John Vianney

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of , patron saint of parish priests. Through his life of prayer, humility, and tireless devotion to the faithful, he showed the beauty of a heart completely given to Christ.

Let us pray for all of our priests, seminarians, and those discerning God's call to the . May they be strengthened by the Lord and guided by the Holy Spirit.

08/02/2026

The faithful community of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception- Camden, NJ gave glory to God this morning in Camden, as Bishop Joseph A. Williams installed Father David Rivera as its rector.

Calling Father Rivera’s priestly ministry “a gift of the love of the heart of Jesus,” Bishop Williams noted that the new rector’s faithful come every week to the Church, and the feast at the table of God’s word, to find rest for their hearts, minds, and bodies.

“May you prepare that feast with diligence,” he reminded Father Rivera, and create “burning hearts that come to the altar, satisfied.”

Present for the liturgy, which was celebrated in both Spanish and English, were the parish’s staff, pastoral, and financial councils, received by the new rector; parish priests and clergy, including Father Stephen Robbins, parochial vicar; Knights of Columbus; and Father Rivera’s family and friends.

With the Oath of Fidelity to his new ministry, Father Rivera expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all who filled the Cathedral pews for their prayers, support, and encouragement. Following the Mass, many gathered in Cathedral Hall for a joyful luncheon reception to celebrate this special occasion together.

Photos: Lori M. Nichols Catholic Star Herald

See gallery: catholicstarherald82.pixieset.com/installationmassforfatherdavidriveraasrectorcathedraloftheimmaculateconception/