ROCKFORD—“It’s fabulous,” said Terri Swegle as she expressed her appreciation for the diocesan Office of Vocations summer camps.

She and her husband, Mark, brought their son, David, up from their Dixon home to the First Call Camp for young men in high school and college. Although it was David’s initial First Call Camp, he and his parents are familiar with the drive.

David “enjoyed it when he went to Jeremiah Days,” Swegle said.

Jeremiah Days is the annual vocations camp for junior high boys.

Regarding the seminarians who help run the camp, she said, “I just think it’s a great experience (for David) to hang out with a group of fine young men.”

Parents and siblings of First Call campers were invited again this year to stay for the opening Mass the evening of July 17.

Vocations director, Father Keith Romke, celebrated the Mass at Bishop Lane Retreat Center’s Holy Family of Nazareth Center for Youth with its forested backdrop through the windows behind the altar.

The Gospel last weekend, Father Romke said, illustrated what the First Call weekend tries to provide: the “better part” chosen by Mary while her sister, Martha, anxiously worked.

“Both prayer and work are necessary,” the priest said in his homily, adding the moral of the story does not point to “never working again.” Instead, what is important in the Gospel story, he said, was that Mary wanted to listen to Jesus, while Martha wanted Jesus to listen to her.

“That better part (listening to Jesus) is always available to us,” he said.  

Later, at the end of the Mass, Father Romke encouraged the campers to take advantage of those listening opportunities during the camp.

Phil Kosmala traveled from St. Charles with his son Jake, a senior in high school.

“I think he enjoys the camaraderie,” Phil said. “He’s discerning. It’s a good time to pray and think.”
His younger son attended Jeremiah Days the week before.

“They really enjoy their time here at camp,” Phil said, adding that his sons come home “energized.”
Dawn Wrobel, a member of St. Rita Parish in Rockford, accompanied her son, Neal, to the camp. It was his third camp, said Neal, a sophomore in college.

His mother said she’s noticed that her son “gets a lot out of (the camps). He really enjoys them.”
She added that after the camps, her son “is very peaceful.”

Thirty-four campers were expected at this year’s First Call Camp. It is the final of the three summer camps sponsored by the diocesan Vocations Office, which provides a variety of discernment events for young men and women throughout the year.

Info: Rockford Diocese Vocations Office, 815/399-4300 or www.rockforddiocese.org/vocations/ for more information.