Tag Archives: Office of Vocations

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

Discerning a Vocation?

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The Pontifical College Josephinum is a Roman Catholic seminary whose mission is to prepare men for the ordained priesthood through human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. The seminary consists of two academic divisions: The College of Liberal Arts and The School of Theology, which includes a Pre-Theology Program.

The Josephinum is a pontifical institution immediately subject to the Holy See, through the Apostolic Nuncio, and governed by the Board of Trustees. Its programs follow the norms established by the Code of Canon Law, the Congregation for Catholic Education, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Continuing the vision of its founder, Msgr. Joseph Jessing, the Josephinum seeks to prepare priests for the new evangelization and to serve the pastoral needs of the Church. In fidelity to this vision, the Josephinum provides resources to prepare candidates for the priesthood, enabling them to respond to the particular needs of their local communities. The Josephinum shares its resources with the wider Church by promoting vocations and by offering continuing education to clergy and laity.

If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact Fr. Paul Noble in the Columbus Diocese Office of Vocations or find him on facebook.

Video production by Big Grin Studios.

Welcome to Fr. Noble – Diocese of Columbus Vocations Director

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The following annoucement originally appeared on the Diocese of Columbus website  on April 25, 2010.

Bishop Frederick Campbell has announced the appointment of Father Paul Noble as Vocations Director of the Diocese of Columbus, effective July 13.

He will replace Father Jeff Coning, who was appointed part-time vocations director in January 2004 and became director in July of that year. Father Coning is in residence at Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare Church.

“I am grateful for all the great work that Father Jeff Coning has done over the past years,” Bishop Campbell said. “He will be working with Father Noble to assure a smooth transaction in the Vocations Office.

“In addition to his pastoral experience, Father Noble has a background in spiritual direction and education and is looking forward to working with those discerning their vocation.”

Father Noble was appointed associate pastor at St. Matthew in July 1998 and has been pastor there since April 1999. He also served as diocesan school superintendent from August 1991 to July 1998 and was principal of Lancaster Fisher Catholic High School and the former Newark Ss. Peter and Paul High School Seminary.

“I have always wanted to help men discern God’s calling for them, especially those called by God to priestly ministry,” Father Noble wrote in a letter to his parishioners. “While I was in the seminary, I earned a master’s degree in spiritual direction with that very idea in mind.

“The opportunity of serving the people of the Diocese of Columbus in this capacity is certainly in keeping with that interest. So while it means that I will be leaving St. Matthew a year early, please know it is an opportunity that I feel called to and find exciting.”