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Wow, did it feel good to travel again! What a blessing it was to speak to the priests of Kalamazoo, Michigan! It was another first for Vocation Ministry as we gave this workshop in-person AND virtually.   We ran an experiment, something I love to ask priests to do! See, according to the 2020 class of ordinands, about 60% of … Continued

Each time I speak with parishioners, I am amazed at their enthusiasm for the Church, vocations, and their faith! It is inspiring!  Last year, I was with the parishioners of the Archdiocese of Newark, encouraging them to promote vocations in their parishes, and then shortly thereafter, the Covid-19 pandemic hit and our focus shifted elsewhere understandably.  Now, a year later, we still need to … Continued

So exciting! I once was a small group leader for my parish’s Life Teen youth ministry, so today was a special treat! I spoke with the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Leaders of Syracuse as part of our new Education Initiative.   Why is this so important? 70% of the men first considered being a priest between birth and 17 … Continued

Another FIRST for Vocation Ministry! As part of our new Education Initiative, we now are engaging catechists to promote vocations in a variety of ways. There is little doubt that without wonderful catechists sharing their faith and encouraging their students to living out their Baptismal call to holiness that we would have fewer sisters, brothers, and priests to … Continued

In January of 2020, I spent a day with about 45 priests from the Archdiocese of Newark to encourage them to promote vocations in their parishes. We asked them to send 2-5 parishioners to a parishioner workshop that was held just 6 weeks later. They responded so beautifully by sending 125 parishioners to that workshop to be equipped!   Shortly thereafter, our world’s focus shifted elsewhere understandably. We are living … Continued

We had our second virtual look into convent life with 5 communities and 150 discerners and those curious about convent life! It was inspirational to see so many women from all over the United States, representing 100 different dioceses! We had a group of American Heritage Girls, families, and two houses of discernment joining us, too.  Each hour gave … Continued

Another FIRST for Vocation Ministry! What an honor it was to give a 2-hour presentation on how Catholic schools can becomevocation-producing to all the principals of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York! This was Vocation Ministry’s 90th workshop in 5 years!   There is little doubt that without Catholic schools we would have fewer sisters, brothers, and … Continued

I so wanted to go to Philadelphia! The plans were made to visit the Cathedral and Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel while on the ground for our parishioner workshop. I could not have been more excited! Then, the city went further into lockdown from the pandemic, and I no longer present to many people. We … Continued

The Diocese of Syracuse declared a Year of Vocations starting November 14, 2020. Our in-person parishioner workshop was to be the first official event for this special year. 100 people had registered to attend in person, but when it had to go virtual and people could join in from wherever they are, 181 participants joined … Continued

For years, I have been working on holding workshops in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia! It is a vibrant archdiocese for vocations with an incredible Vocation Director Fr. Stephen DeLacy. Finally, we had decided on a date for me to speak with the priests and then, Covid-19 hit. We pushed the dates back and were ready … Continued