Among the results of the CARA survey and the conclusions of our Diocesan Synod, we see a clear desire of our Catholic people for access to God’s grace and salvation through the Mass and the sacraments. They also want access to effective formation in sacred Scripture, the teachings of the church, and a full range of ministries to all groups, but especially to the young.

All this highlights the great need for priests. Among the Synod’s pastoral priorities, therefore, the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and the religious life ranks second, requiring parishes to have an active vocation committee and to pray and work for vocations.

The Diocese of Sacramento has the double challenge of fast growth and shifting demographics. Many of the priests serving us so generously are from other countries. This is because we have large numbers of immigrants, but it is also a sign that our parishes have not adequately stimulated and produced vocations. In addition, a large segment of our priests and religious are 60 years of age and older, and their remaining years of active ministry are limited. Active engagement in vocation efforts is “a must.”

In recent years, new parishes have been founded in Elk Grove, Granite Bay, El Dorado Hills, and Natomas. Others are planned. In more “established” areas other changes have occurred: establishing one pastor for St. Peter Parish and All Hallows Parish in Sacramento; assigning three deacons and two religious sisters to serve as parish stewards in parishes that have only weekend service by priests instead of resident pastors.

In Amador County, the three parishes have been working collaboratively with their pastors and diocesan representatives to prepare for a time in the near future when there will be just one pastor and one other priest to serve all three parishes. Still other parishes will soon have to build larger facilities to accommodate growing numbers and yet reduce the number of Masses. Such adjustments are never easy, but the reality of growth, changing ministry patterns and shifting populations has to be faced head on. Our Third Diocesan Synod wisely calls for good pastoral planning and the sharing of resources among neighboring parishes, so as to serve the needs of all in this growing and changing, multicultural diocese.

All of us must acknowledge that we can do more to encourage and pray for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life in our families and parishes. Parents need to teach their children to esteem the priesthood and the religious life. The spiritual welfare of our Diocese will be assured only if more young men come forward to become priests and more young women choose the religious life.

Of course, one of the best ways to promote the priesthood and the religious life is for us priests and religious to live our vocations joyfully. I can attest that the priesthood is, indeed, a happy and fulfilling life, even though, on occasion, the media may report otherwise. We Roman Catholic priests do not marry and are not biological fathers, yet, we are spiritual fathers. In our ministry, we share in family life through the celebration of baptisms, weddings, anniversaries, funerals, etc. We are there at the peaks and valleys of family life, sharing the most intimate joys and sorrows of parents and children. At times, we can be more intimate to a couple than they are to themselves, such as in the sacrament of confession. In fact, we develop very deep and fulfilling bonds within the parish family.

Among the benefits of the priesthood and the religious life is the opportunity to have a deep prayer life. Every day, we have the privilege of offering the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, meditating on the Scriptures, and spending time before the Blessed Sacrament. Many spouses would love to be able to spend more time in prayer, but the demands of their lives do not allow for it.

In order to provide for the material and spiritual upbringing of their children, parents often have to sacrifice a demanding prayer life for the sake of their children. Since prayer is part and parcel of the vocation of priests and religious, we are obligated to spend time in prayer daily. We do so willingly, because prayer brings much joy and consolation, as we develop a deep friendship with Christ.

Please join me in praying for vocations and encouraging our young people to consider choosing the priesthood or the religious life.

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