World Day of Prayer for Vocations: Witnessing Family Vocations
April 24, 2024, we celebrated the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Each of us has a special vocation to witness and serve. Some fulfil this vocation through priesthood and religious life. On this occasion, we would like to share three stories of family vocations to the priesthood and monastic/religious life.
John and Anna Stock
They hailed from the family of coal miner Teodor Stock and Maria (nee Skrincoski). In 1937, 19-year-old John, chosen by Bishop Bohachevsky, went to Innsbruck, Austria, to pursue a theological education. The war interrupted his studies, which he later completed in America. He was ordained a priest in 1943. Father Stock’s ministry during and after the war was remarkable; for many years, he aided migrants fleeing the war and assisted their resettlement in the United States. He was ordained a bishop in 1971 but tragically died in an accident a year later. His sister Anna joined the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in 1946 at the age of 16. For over 75 years, Sister Evelyn Anna dedicated herself to serving, teaching, and nurturing her students, fellow sisters, and the faithful she encountered.
Constantine, John, Dmytro, and Walter Wysochansky
They were born into the family of Joseph Wysochansky and Anelia (nee Dmytrykovich), who had 12 children. Constantine and Dmytro entered the Basilian Fathers' monastery.
Constantine was ordained a priest at the age of 49. Prior to this, he studied and worked in Canada and Italy, serving as a missionary in Argentina and Brazil. He was also involved in translating the Bible into Ukrainian in the 1960s.
John served in the US Army in Italy before completing his theological studies in Washington, DC. He served as a priest for over 60 years in various parishes of the Church in the US.
Dmytro, a Basilian monk, not only served in different parishes for 59 years but also authored, translated, and edited numerous books on liturgical and historical topics. Walter received his theological education in Washington, DC, and became a priest, working extensively with young people and the League of Ukrainian Catholics.
For almost 60 years, Father Walter has been engaged in witnessing, writing, and serving in many American parishes.
Mary Ann and Jerome Botsko
Sister Mary Ann felt the call to religious life during her school years. When assigned a task to write about her aspirations, she discussed her decision to enter monastic life with her parents. At the age of 26, she joined the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. Reflecting on her calling, she wrote: “It has truly been a life filled with many experiences that I could never have imagined. Why religious life – it is a mystery. Why God called both my twin brother and me – this, too, is a mystery, but I cannot imagine another kind of life and will always be grateful for my grandmother’s prayers, my parents’ good example and support, and the whisper that I heard and recognized as a child." For 39 years, Sister Mary Ann served fruitfully in schools, St. Josaphat Seminary, and a home for the elderly.
Father Jerome continues to work in Christ's vineyard now for over 40 years, serving as a priest in the Pittsburgh eparchy and as a chaplain and confessor for the Basilian Sisters.
A monastic and priestly vocation is a special gift through which one can develop, create, and serve others and God.
