The Diocese of Gaylord, like many dioceses in the U.S., is experiencing a shortage of priests. Between 1970 and 2024, the number of priests in the Catholic Church in the U.S. fell by more than 40 percent.
With 73 Diocese of Gaylord parishes and 46 priests —12 of whom are missionary priests from other countries helping to fill the gap — Bishop Walsh and Vocations Director Father Ben Rexroat are partnering with Vianney Vocations and Vocation Ministry, national consulting companies that help dioceses develop structured programs to identify and accompany men considering the priesthood.
Thanks to a large donation from the Caron estate, the diocese committed $100,000 to raise awareness of the priestly vocations and walk with men during their discernment process.
Bishop Walsh has set a goal of 15 seminarians for the diocese. Currently, we have eight men in formation.
By maintaining 15 men in formation, the Diocese of Gaylord would be in a better, hope-filled position to sustain the sacramental and pastoral care of souls.
Vocations Plan
To achieve this goal, the vocations team created an overall strategy for the vocations plan that includes:
- Forming a vocations team
- Identifying faithful young men
- Accompanying men in discernment
- Applying for seminary formation
Elements of the strategic plan include:
- Create a new vocations team to support the vocations director and to lead discernment groups throughout our vast diocese.
- Organize an intensive Called By Name campaign to identify faithful young men.
- Coordinate new discernment events.
- Launch new communication platforms including a new vocations website, new DiscernerBase app for the vocations team to keep track of discerning men in our diocese and Art of Discernment weekly text messages for men to learn more about the priesthood.
- Provide personal accompaniment for men discerning.
- Initiate prayer support from the whole diocese.
Support Needed
All parishioners are encouraged to support the vocations efforts in two keyways:
1. Share vocations discernment events with faithful young men
The key to helping young Catholics discern God’s call — if it’s to the priesthood, marriage, fatherhood or somewhere else — is to have a supportive, encouraging environment to pray for their vocation. These discernment events provide that environment and introduce men to mentors who help guide them during their discernment journey. See page 31 for a list of coming discernment events.
2. Pledge to pray for our future priests
Behind every vocation is a community that nurtures it, and prayer is the most powerful support we can offer. See page 30 for details on how to pledge to pray.
New Vocations Team
Joining Vocations Director Father Ben Rexroat are six new vocation team members to help expand the capabilities of the Vocations Office.
Father James Bearss
Father Matthew Cowan
Father Donald Geyman
Father Christopher Jarvis
Father Mitch Roman
Father Matthew Wigton
The vocations team’s focus is on building relationships with young men, inviting them to vocation events and walking with them as they discern God’s call.
