Nov. 5, 2014

By Fr. Bryan Stitt
Diocesan Vocations Director

With the release of the Mutually Shared Vision this past April, the Vocations Office has had to turn things up a notch. 

As you probably remember, Priority Number One of the Vision is “Creating a Culture of Vocations.”  I have served as Full-time Vocations Director of the Diocese off and on since 2010, so the number one priority in my life for the past four years has been the encouragement and support of vocations.  But now the whole diocese has some skin in the game.  From Father  Garry Giroux and his committee developing the Vocations Summit for September 2016 to St. Joseph Sister Gregory Munger  and her committee forming the “We are Called” Plan, there has been a lot of support to the Vocations Office. 

Of course this doesn’t mean I have been able to back off my personal efforts.  In fact, I feel as though the Vocations Office has had to respond to the call of so many other “vocations directors” in the diocese. 

Are we using the best practices? 

Have we developed the best materials? 

Are we dedicating enough time to the college campuses? 

Are we connected enough to the seminarians and women religious in formation? 

Are we praying enough for vocations? 

How are we tapping into genuine encounters with Christ?

This has been exciting to be a part of.  Creating a culture does sound fun, doesn’t it?  We’ve developed new holy cards with the support of D.O.V.S.  We’re adopting new curricula resources for kids throughout our diocese. We’ve produced new videos—testimonies of people sharing their vocations stories.

And in everything that we’re doing we’re inviting people to come to know Jesus Christ and His loving call in their lives.

These renewed efforts are made possible through the vision and guidance of Bishop LaValley and the dedication and support of all the clergy, religious, and faithful of our Diocese—all of whom are living out their respective vocations. 

But besides your witness, we also need your financial support to make these programs happen. Without this year’s Bishop’s Fund Appeal, this wouldn’t be possible.

So thank you for your generosity.

Donations can be mailed to:  The Bishop’s Fund Appeal, PO Box 150, Ogdensburg, New York 13669.  To learn more about the Appeal and to view the 2014 Bishop’s Fund video, please visit the Appeal website at www.dioogdensburg.org/development. 

To learn more about the Vocations Office go to www.myvocation.net

The annual Bishop's Fund Appeal supports the Vocations Office which this year produced three new vocations videos including one with Rachel Daly, former contributor to the North CountryCatholic. To see the videos go to Youtube.com and search for "Ogdensburg Vocations."