DORRANCE TWP. – Under a bright summer sky, more than 120 golfers teed off at the Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club on June 30, 2025, for the annual Vocations Golf Classic.
For more than a decade, the tournament has served a vital purpose: raising money to support the education, formation, and daily living expenses of Diocese of Scranton seminarians – young men discerning the call to the priesthood.
Held in honor of the late John Yourishen, a devoted supporter of vocations and a faithful friend of the tournament, this year’s event continued to celebrate his memory with generosity and a shared commitment to the future of the Church.
Despite temperatures in the 80s, golfers enjoyed a full day on the course, grateful that rain showers stayed away, allowing everyone to complete their rounds.
Father Alex Roche, Diocesan Secretary for Clergy Formation, who also served as tournament chairperson, said the mission behind the tournament is always front and center.
“Our number of seminarians is increasing and with more seminarians means more responsibilities, more schools, more needs, so it’s absolutely necessary that as we grow as a church, we continue to support these young men who feel called to be priests,” Father Alex said.
Throughout the day, seminarians had the opportunity to engage with attendees, whether by playing alongside them, assisting at various holes, or simply offering their heartfelt thanks.
“It’s absolutely incredible to be able to meet people from all over the diocese, you really don’t get that experience a lot,” seminarian Antonio Ingargiola said.
“I’m happy to see so many people coming out and supporting us, being able to talk and share conversations with us,” seminarian Peter Stec added.
Participants were also eager to reflect on why they return year after year.
“I play in this every year with a bunch of my friends,” Ned George, a parishioner at Queen of the Apostles Parish in Avoca, stated. “It’s the fellowship. It’s a great day for everyone. It helps the Vocations Office with education and it’s good for all members of different parishes to come together.”
“It’s a good day to be out together,” Tom Jones, a parishioner of Saint John Bosco Parish in Conyngham, added. “We need to get good individuals who want to serve the Lord.”
As the day wrapped up with dinner, a short program and awards, the tournament once again proved that the church’s mission is not only built in chapels and classrooms but also on fairways and through friendships.
“The greatness of this day is contagious. Everybody seems to be in a good mood. It’s for a great cause and we fully support it,” Jim Glenn, a parishioner of Saint Jude Parish in Mountain Top, explained.
A list of sponsors and supporters are contained in the July 17, 2025, edition of The Catholic Light.