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The Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation is a place of residence for single, Catholic men who are discerning a call to the priesthood in the Diocese of Trenton. The house is located in Trenton, NJ, in the rectory of Sacred Heart Church, home of the oldest Catholic parish in the State of New Jersey Founded by Most Rev. John M. Smith in October 2000, the Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation has been home to more than a dozen men in discernment and formation in the Diocese of Trenton, including many priests of the diocese. Funding to establish the Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation was provided by the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and maintenance of the House is provided by the Office of Vocations.
The men living at the Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation work in the parish as well as a multitude of apostolates in the surrounding area of Trenton.
The Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation is intended to give each man an individualized opportunity to discern his calling to the priesthood while living in a formative rectory setting. While this opportunity is established for each man, the program generally is suited for two categories of individuals:
A House of Discernment
The first individual would be a man who is still working at a secular position or is in college and is available in the evenings and weekends to minister in the parish.
These men are expected to pay a minimal rent.
A House of Continuing Formation
The second individual is the man who is does not have a secular position and is full time in the parish. This situation is very well suited for the man who is on a pastoral year from the seminary, taking a temporary leave from his studies, or is taking a year as transitional deacon prior to being ordained priest.
The men in college or full time in the parish are given a small stipend for personal expenses. The intent is to allow the individual men to feel comfortable in the House of Formation regardless of their situation.
About the House:
Combined with the Rectory of the Church of the Sacred Heart this grand house build in 1886 is part of the five buildings making up our nationally recognized historic campus.
The historic five story building houses the Parish offices for the Church of the Sacred Heart, the Diocesan Vocation Director’s Office as well as accommodations for five men in discernment.
The men enjoy the opportunity to live and function in a Rectory setting.
The third floor of the House includes: · spacious private rooms · a common restroom facility · a chapel where liturgy is celebrated along with private and common prayer · guest accommodations
The second floor includes: · a library / computer room · a very spacious common room · a large screen TV · a piano · comfortable furniture The first floor includes: · the parish offices · vocation office · a common parlor · large family-style kitchen · a beautiful formal dining room
The lower level includes: · a full gym · a conference room · laundry facilities
The basement is finished and supplies the men with ample space for storage of their personal items.
The House of Priestly Formation employs a fulltime House Manager to prepare meals and to assist the men in many different ways.
Expectations of Residents
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