During the time of COVID-19, our circumstances have changed in the Office of Vocations, but our mission has not, and the seeds of faith are still growing in our diocese. We have several young men either actively applying for the seminary or seriously discerning whether to enter the seminary. I am in contact with several young women who are discerning whether the Lord is calling them to religious life. We will also celebrate the ordination of two new priests in late June, and six seminarians continue their formation to the priesthood this summer. I want to honor these men and women by making sure our vocations department continues to grow with them.

With this in mind, the Vocations Office is hosting the first annual Homegrown Harvest Gala and Fundraiser on October 9, 2020 at Cathead Distillery in Jackson. The staff at Cathead have been great with the uncertainty of this time, and they are dedicated to working with us as social distancing protocols are updated throughout the summer.

I hope this column has helped you to see how your financial contributions to the vocations department are being spent. I want to continue to offer regular opportunities for young people to see what religious formation is really like, and with two new seminarians expected to enroll this fall, tuition and room and board remain a substantial need. The proceeds of this annual event will provide immediate support to our programs and will greatly bolster our long term plans in vocation promotion and seminarian support. But this celebration will also simply be an opportunity for us to rejoice that the Lord is calling men forth to serve His people.

Tickets to the Gala will be available this summer, and I will be hitting the road and finding ways to reach out to your parishes and ask for your support as the summer wears on. Our diocese is growing because the Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts of young men and women, and it is our job to support them. I pledge to do that as vocations director, and I want you to get to know our seminarians who have already answered the call to discern. In the next several issues of Mississippi Catholic, you will be introduced to all of our seminarians, and I look forward to giving you more information on this exciting event, which I pray will be a great celebration of what the Lord is bringing forth in our Diocese.

Vocations Events

Saturday, June 27, 2020 – Priestly Ordination of Deacon Andrew Nguyen and Deacon Cesar Sanchez, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Jackson, 9:30 a.m.

Friday, October 9, 2020 – Gala, Cathead Distillery in Downtown Jackson

If you are interested in visiting a seminary or house of religious formation,
contact: vocations@jacksondiocese.org
www.jacksonpriests.com