We had a wonderful evening at the 5th Annual Homegrown Harvest. I didn’t get an official count, but we packed the space at the Two Mississippi Museums downtown. The final proceeds of the event stand at $113,500. All these funds will go to pay for seminarian tuition, books and fees along with helping to fund our discernment groups within the diocese and other ways that we are fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Our next big event will be our Called By Name Weekend. When you come to Mass on Nov. 9 or 10, you will be asked if you know of any young men in your parish who you think should consider the priesthood. These recommendations will be used by the Department of Vocations to invite even more guys to take part in discernment groups, which will lead to even more guys being open to priesthood, which will lead to more visits to the seminary, more seminarians entering the seminary, and more priests for our diocese in the long run. This will be an annual event in the diocese going forward, as we are truly trying to take the long view and we are setting the foundation for a greater number of seminarians and a greater number of ordinations in the future. Right now, according to my records, we have 25 guys in discernment groups. This number should rise greatly following the Called By Name Weekend.
The Homegrown Harvest is the most public way that we are increasing awareness and support for these vocation initiatives, but I know that there are many people who support us throughout the years in various ways. I truly appreciate your prayers and support, and as I told the guests at the Homegrown Harvest, I always wants to be clear about how your donations are being spent. Thank you all for your support and thanks to our great team at the Chancery Office, the Vocation Department, and the team of volunteers and seminarian parents that helped us make this year’s Festival a big success. Special thanks to Lynne Evans, Shelia Foggo, Laura Foley and Danielle Murphy for running the silent auction and raffle, and to Frances Nelson who teamed up with the Vocation Department to decorate the space at the venue. See y’all next year!

– Father Nick Adam, vocation director