November 2, 2022 | We had a great turnout at the St. Andrew’s dinner. It’s an opportunity to invite primarily High School and college-age young men to a dinner with me, their bishop. It's set up to be very informal. We pray together and have dinner together. Then, several of our priests will usually give a vocation story witness. They'll talk about their own call to the priesthood, and we have a question and answer session. Then we end with a blessing. At the most recent dinner, we had 27 men there to learn more about priesthood. All of those aren't necessarily discerning and they're not going to necessarily become priests, but at least they're open to the possibility and that's always a good thing.

If you see or observe a young man who is serving in ministry, maybe just say, “Have you ever thought about priesthood as a vocation?” There's no harm in asking. Just asking the question can be an affirmation to that young man. Maybe he thought about it, but maybe he didn't think that others could see him in that vocation. So, it's an affirmation to him, that maybe this is what God is calling him to do.

It's God who does the inviting, ultimately, to be a priest. It is an invitation from God but God doesn’t force us. He invites us to pursue that vocation. If we do, I believe it will lead to personal happiness and fulfillment in our lives. But we have to do our part as well. God puts the seed there but if we don't nurture it, don't water it, don't care for it, it's not going to grow. That's where the encouragement comes in. That's where our prayer for vocations comes in and actively seeking and looking for young men who might be priests one day.

More information: You are invited to promote and pray for vocations during National Vocations Awareness Week, November 6-12, 2022. During this time, the Catholic Church invites all to reflect on vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. To learn more, click here.

Prayer for Vocations

God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.