Building a culture of vocations

We are blessed to have eleven men discerning a call to the priesthood in our diocese. Each of these young men has been called by God and encouraged by others to consider if they may have a vocation to the priesthood. I am grateful for their willingness to spend time in serious discernment and prayer.

I have spoken and written in this column before about the importance of building a “culture of vocations” in our diocese. What I mean by that is that together we can establish a constant stream of prayer asking God to give us vocations. This prayer can cut through the noise and distortion of so much of the media and replace it with times when we turn to God and listen to Him instead. That way He can move us and help us to notice a young man or woman who might have a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life.

Thank you for praying our diocesan prayer for vocations in your homes and parish churches before or during Mass.

Once we give God our attention the Holy Spirit can guide us to speak a word of encouragement to someone the Spirit helps us to notice. It can be as simple as saying to them, “I have noticed how prayerful you are during Mass and I think you might be a good priest.” Studies show that this kind of invitation can make a big difference.

Our priests, deacons, and religious have a crucial role to play in building a culture of vocations and they are praying that God make them more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in encouraging vocations.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support for vocations in our diocese. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support are making a difference.

+Bishop Peter Muhich