Bishop William F. Medley gives a homily at the Diocese of Owensboro’s Presbyteral Convocation, held at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, from Jan. 15-18, 2024. COURTESY OF FR. COREY D. BRUNS
Vocations: Sharing our vocation stories and helping discernment
BY FR. DANIEL DILLARD, OFFICE OF VOCATIONS
Over the course of the past few years there has been a concerted effort in the Office of Vocations to inspire our pastors to be the first promoters of vocations in their parishes. We have had both a presbyteral day and a convocation on the topic of vocations.
At the presbyteral day, the priests were given resources to help them have conversations with people who are discerning in their parishes. At the convocation, Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville, as our special guest speaker, encouraged the priests to develop a culture of vocations in their parishes. One concrete step that was suggested was for every priest to tell their vocation story in their parishes at least once a year.
Fr. Uwem Enoh participates in the Diocese of Owensboro’s Presbyteral Convocation, held at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, from Jan. 15-18, 2024. COURTESY OF FR. COREY D. BRUNS
This past 2023-2024 year, our vocations office has taken five men on “come-and-see” trips to the seminary. These trips provide opportunities for prayer, socialization, visiting classes, and meeting seminarians so that they can get a feel of seminary life and aid in their discernment. Two men have participated in a come-and-see trip to Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis, Ind., and three have participated in a similar trip to Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Ind.
Please continue to pray for vocations in our diocese, and for all those discerning.
Fr. Daniel Dillard is the director of vocations for the Diocese of Owensboro.
Priests attend the Diocese of Owensboro’s Presbyteral Convocation, held at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, from Jan. 15-18, 2024. COURTESY OF FR. COREY D. BRUNS
Originally printed in the June 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
