Follow Me 'Called by Name' to serve God, His Church By Bishop Terry R. LaValley

October 1, 2025

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As we journey together in faith across the North Country, I am filled with hope and excitement to introduce a new diocesan initiative that speaks to the heart of our mission: Called by Name.

This fall, we will be inviting parish communities to prayerfully consider those among us, young and not-so-young who may be called to serve the Church as priests, deacons or consecrated religious. Through the Called by Name initiative, we are asking you to be attentive to the quiet stirrings of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those around you. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple word of encouragement to awaken a vocation.

Each of us has a role to play in building up the Body of Christ. Whether you are a parent, teacher, catechist, or fellow parishioner, your witness and support can make a profound difference. By nominating someone you believe may be called to ordained ministry or religious life, you are helping them take a courageous step toward discerning God’s plan for their life.

In November, we will host special discernment events for those nominated, opportunities to pray, reflect, and explore the possibility of a vocation in a supportive and joyful setting. These gatherings are not commitments, but invitations to listen more closely to the Lord’s voice.

Let us be bold in hope and generous in love. The Lord continues to call laborers into His vineyard, and He calls them through us. May we respond with open hearts and joy-filled faith. With gratitude for your prayers and your witness,

Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley
Bishop of Ogdensburg

Nominate someone in your parish or online

The Diocese of Ogdensburg is asking you to prayerfully consider and nominate those who may be “Called by Name” and called by God to serve Him and His Church as priests, deacons or consecrated religious.

The weekends of October 11-12 and October 18-19, nomination cards will be available in parishes across the diocese, and parishioners will be encouraged to submit cards – anonymously or named – identifying individuals they think “may have the qualities of a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life and to submit their names for further discernment and outreach,” according to a letter from diocesan Director of Vocations Father Christopher C. Carrara and Vocations Coordinator Deacon Garry Stevens.

“Through this initiative, we hope to awaken hearts to the possibility of a call to these particular vocations and to support those who may be quietly discerning,” the letter states.

Those nominated will be contacted by the diocesan Office of Vocations and invited to discernment events and/or given discernment resources.

The “Called by Name” program is conducted in collaboration with the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. Several other dioceses in New York, including Diocese of Syracuse and Archdiocese of New York, have conducted similar initiatives.

To submit a nomination, look for submission cards in your parish, submit the nomination form attached here to your parish or submit online at https://www.rcdony.org/calledbyname.