Category Archives: Fr. Paul Noble

A Back to School Message from Fr. Paul Noble

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With the hustle and bustle of the back-to-school frenzy, it is easy to forget to stop and “pause”. Reflective pausing, and taking a little time for prayer each day might just make this time of year less frenetic, and more enjoyable. Now I know I have spoken to many of you over the past several weeks, and when it is “time” to return to the hallways of education, it feels like a really short summer has flown by, and a long year lies ahead. Carpooling, sports, homework, jobs can really be overwhelming for you and your family. Many of our seminarians actually feel the same way! They are excited to return or start their new year, but for many of them, the summer was a relaxing and spiritual cleansing period as they have rested, and assisted many of our parishes with various activities.

“Pausing” can in fact, allow you time to return some balance during this time of year. If you’re not praying, your new heart is dying—it is being filled and formed by something else other than the Spirit of God. Try to initiate a daily prayer and establish a personal relationship with Jesus. Think of it as a prayer from the heart, where we speak to God as one friend to another. Just as you would at your locker, in the lunchroom, or on the practice field. Many of us just are not comfortable with daily pauses and prayer, but we have to overcome these reservations and do what Jesus commanded us to: “pray always.”

We have posted some simple prayers for you to consider out on theFace Forward Website as you are going about your daily “pause”. I know it will assist many of you to re-focus, and embrace the things that are really important during the onset of a busy school year.
I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming academic year!

Finally, I would like to extend a personal Thank You to Jeremiah Guappone for assisting the Vocations Office this year on the Face Forward project. I would also like to welcome 11 new local men to our college and seminary this year! Stay tuned for more information on this wonderful group here. It is exciting to be a part of this vibrant online community.

Father Paul Noble
Vocations Director
Catholic Diocese of Columbus

If you would like to be added to our monthly email messages, please send us your information to: info.faceforward@gmail.com

In Life, As In Music, the Pauses Make All the Difference

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A word about Lent, from Father Noble, Director of Vocations

Lent is one of the regular pauses in the life of a Catholic, an opportunity to reflect, recharge and rejuvenate in preparation for Christ’s resurrection.

The three traditional pillars of Lenten observance are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Church asks us to surrender ourselves to prayer and to the reading of Scripture, to fasting and to giving alms. The fasting that we all do together on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting for certain periods of time, fasting from certain foods, but also fasting from other things and activities. Likewise, the giving of alms is an effort to share this world equally not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.

My talks about Vocations have taken me to various parishes during Lent and I have observed an overwhelming feeling of welcome by our church communities. Our parishes are participating in community service events, attending Fish Frys, and utilizing this time to pray and fast. Not only do our Lenten activities strengthen us as individuals, they also build the community of Christ’s followers.

Our seminarians are busy during this time- wrapping up finals, spending quiet time with their families during Spring Break, and assisting our Face Forward program at several fish frys around town. Following is a list of where they will be in the coming weeks. Please consider stopping by to say hello, and watch the Face Forward wall for pictures of the events.

April 1st - St. Margaret of Cortona, Grandview

April 8th - St. Mary’s, Delaware

April 8th – St. Joan of Arc, Powell

April 15th – St. Michael’s, Worthington

Our seminarians are spending time in prayer, and I ask you to pray for them as we head into the final three weeks of Lent, and prepare for Easter, and the priestly ordination of Ryan Schmidt and Ty Tomson. Also pray for Nick Droll and Michael Hinterschid, who will be ordained to the deaconate in preparation for their ordination to the priesthood in 2012.

Finally, if you missed the recent posting of our video with Steve and Rose Pasternak, parents of Columbus seminarian Adam Pasternak, please view it here. It is a great parent perspective on Vocations.

As always, contacting me is easy! Send me a message on facebook, e-mail me at noble[at]seekholiness.com or call me at the Vocations Office at (614) 221-5565.

Many Blessings!

Father Paul Noble - Office of Vocations

A New Year’s Message From Fr. Paul Noble

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A new year is upon us, and now is the time for renewing our spirits. It’s a fresh start. For many it is a time for embarking on the traditional New Year’s resolutions. Often those resolutions are attempts at making big changes, having a big impact on habits and health. I propose a simpler approach in 2011.

Take a minute and reflect on last year, then make yourself a promise to do one thing better in 2011. Whether that might be saying an extra prayer each day; taking time to reflect with God; getting to reconciliation more often; listening to the words of others; or simply taking the time to be silent.

This week is Vocations Week and our seminarians are entering into silent retreat.  I ask you to say a prayer for them as they embark on this special week.  Silent retreat is all about slowing down, praying, and tuning into the peacefulness of quiet time. It’s all about hearing the voice of God clearly.

So, where might you find Face Forward and our exciting vocations programs in January?  Everywhere!

Here is quick look at where we will be this month… thank you to Holy Spirit for their warm January 9th event, St. Brendan’s youth group (Jan. 16th), St. Agatha Jan. 29-30, Night of Hope and Inspiration, the Ohio Right to Life event featuring Newt and Callista Gingrich (Jan. 28),  Our Lady of Miraculous Medal (Jan 30) and many, many more!

Please say an extra special prayer for Ty Tomson as he becomes ordained this weekend.  Watch the wall and blog for pictures from this beautiful event.

Please come and say hello, and I wish you a blessed and happy new year!

Father Paul Noble