Faithful invited to fostering culture of vocations through new initiative

By The Catholic Accent

In his pastoral letter, “Donum Veritatis: The Gift of Truth,” Bishop Larry J. Kulick invited the faithful in the Diocese of Greensburg of take up the work of building a culture of vocations across the Diocese. In response to this invitation, Father Tyler J. Bandura, Director of the Office of Priestly Vocations and pastor of St. James Parish, New Alexandria, has announced a new initiative to encourage those vocations, the Called by Name Campaign.

“Several weeks ago, representatives from our parishes and Catholic schools gathered to hear from Rhonda Gruenwald, who is the founder of Vocation Ministry,” Father Bandura said. “Rhonda challenged those attending to consider ways to help all God’s people grow in their universal vocation of holiness and explore their particular vocation (holy orders, marriage, single state or consecrated life).”

The Called by Name Campaign is one way the faithful can work together to accept Bishop Kulick’s invitation to foster vocations throughout the Diocese.

“The Called by Name Campaign will allow you to submit names of individuals you feel God has brought to your attention as a candidate for a vocation to the priesthood or religious life,” Father Bandura explained. “We are looking at candidates who are current eighth-grade students, those in high school, and young adults up to the age of 39.”

Those whose names are submitted will receive a letter of invitation from Father Bandura asking for consideration of a priestly or religious vocation and providing opportunities to pursue learning more about discernment. The deadline for names to be submitted is May 3. Names may be submitted  online greensburgpriest.org/called.

“Many young people wonder what to do in life and they often look to the world and to others for the answer. The Church needs us to be the voice of Christ inviting our young people to consider God’s purpose for their life. If we don’t plant the seed, someone else will beat us to the “ask,” Father Bandura said. “With this new initiative, it is our hope that together we will create a culture of vocations in which young people joyfully consider God’s purpose for their life.”