Priests come from parishes.

Here are some observations about parishes that have priestly vocations:

  • Parishioners love their priests, and they are not afraid to express it.

  • The Parish is prayerful and active.

  • Parishioners identify men who would make good Diocesan Priests, and they encourage them to consider a vocation to the priesthood.

  • Their faith is not just about Sunday. They are committed to living out their faith in the world.

  • They love their Catholic faith and are not afraid to stand up for it and share it.

  • There is a zeal for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration.

  • A true belief in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist permeates the Parish.

  • There is a love for the Diocese and the Universal Church. Faith is bigger than my Parish.

How can your parish get involved?

  • Pray a decade or the entire Rosary with the intention for vocations.

  • Host a Holy Hour for vocations.
  • Encourage members of your parish to attend retreats and programs sponsored by the Diocesan Vocation Office such as:
      • Monthly XLT for Vocations
        • First Thursday of every month, 7PM at St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin
        • Last Wednesday of every month, 6:30pm at Christ the King, Archbald
        • Fourth Sunday of every month, 7pm at St. Matthew, East Stroudsburg
          • Follow us on social media to keep up to date on XLT schedules.
      • Men’s Discernment Retreat – March 21-22, 2025
      • Get Up & Pray: A Holy Thursday Prayer Challenge – April 17, 2025
      • World Day of Prayer For Vocations – May 11, 2025
      • Transitional Diaconate Ordination – May 24, 2025, 10AM at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton
      • Priesthood Ordination – June 28, 2025, 10AM at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton
      • Quo Vadis and Fiat Days – June 23-25, 2025 at Marywood University
      • Leave a Mark Young Adult Mass – November 2, 2025, 5PM at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton
      • High School Discernment Groups
      • Junior High School Retreats
      • Discernment Dinners
      • Virtual Discernment Groups
      • Visit one of our four Vocation Centers:
        • Christ the King, Archbald
        • St. Maria Goretti, Laflin
        • Annunciation, Hazleton
        • St. Matthew, East Stroudsburg
  • Have your parish adopt a current seminarian and pray for him.
  • Know a man or woman who you believe has the gifts and qualities needed to be a priest or religious sister? Offer their name to the Vocations Office by using the Called by Name submission form.
  • Click here to see our ever-growing list of resources that can help you promote vocations at the parish level.

We want to create a culture of Vocations.

How can we make our parish more supportive and encouraging for potential priests?

Contact Father Alex Roche, our Diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians. We are here to support you every step of the way!