Vocation committee team leaders from parishes throughout the Diocese of Harrisburg gathered on Saturday in Harrisburg to continue the work of encouraging and supporting priestly vocations. The meeting was held nearly two years after an initial vocation workshop brought parish leaders together. Before that workshop, attendees were encouraged to read Hundredfold by Rhonda Gruenewald. While the recent gathering was shorter, it provided an opportunity to discuss where the diocese is headed with its vocation ministry and how parishioners can become more involved. Lunch was also provided.
Fr. Josh Weaver has served as Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Harrisburg for nearly three and a half years. He spoke enthusiastically about the need to continue building a culture that encourages young men to consider whether God may be calling them to the priesthood. He explained that after the upcoming graduating seminarians, no seminarians are expected to graduate in 2028, 2029, or 2030. Two men are expected to graduate from the seminary as priests in 2031. He encouraged attendees, saying, “We need to send out laborers for the harvest.”
The Diocese of Harrisburg serves approximately 200,000 Catholics. Fr. Weaver referenced a 2024 study by the diocese that found about 30% of the Catholic priest population is age 60 or older. At the same time, the retirement age for priests is 75. Becoming a priest requires a significant commitment of time and preparation. Fr. Weaver explained that it generally takes seven to nine years. For a young man who already has a college degree, the process can take approximately seven years. He discussed various benchmarks for admission to seminary, including human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral components. Young men from the Diocese of Harrisburg attend seminary at St. Charles Borromeo near Philadelphia or Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md.
Prayer was emphasized as an important part of encouraging vocations. Fr. Weaver highlighted the value of perpetual adoration and suggested that parishes consider offering regular times for adoration, even if only Monday through Friday.
He also discussed a Wednesday vocation fast proposed by Bishop Senior. More than 1,000 people have committed online to participate in an intentional fast for vocations.
Another priority is improving communication and organization within the diocesan vocation office. Fr. Weaver said he is working to expedite processes and establish a more organized database to better connect with those discerning a possible vocation.
The diocese announced plans to restart its Called by Name campaign. This initiative invites parishioners to identify young men, as young as 15, whom they believe may possess qualities suited to the priesthood. This time, the age range has been expanded to include men up to age 40.
As part of the discernment process, young men may also participate in a five-day retreat called Quo Vadis, which means Where are you going? in Latin. The retreat is held at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., and gives participants an opportunity to step away from everyday responsibilities and prayerfully consider where God may be leading them.
“Most recently, 79 men attended Quo Vadis. The number has doubled and can create a funnel effect for those men becoming priests,” Father Weaver said. He added, “11 years old and 11th grade are times in which people often feel a calling.” He also said, “80% of priests heard the call before they left high school at age 18.”
Fr. Weaver described himself as a “recruiter for Team Jesus,” emphasizing that vocation ministry is ultimately about helping young men discover and follow God’s will.
“Do what Christ wants you to do is at the heart of that message. The mindset is needed to be faithful to Him rather than a focus on success in life,” he said. “We should never feel like we somehow messed up God’s plan. We didn’t. He’ll take care of it.”
Vocation teams within individual parishes can play an integral role by supporting their pastor and helping create opportunities for young people to learn more about vocations. Because each parish is different, with its own charisms and culture, Fr. Weaver encouraged teams to consider what approaches will work best for their individual church communities.
Ideas include placing information in parish bulletins or on church websites and Facebook pages, having pastors speak about vocations from the pulpit, and encouraging priests to share their own vocation stories. Fr. Weaver cited the first week of November as a goal for beginning these efforts. With National Vocations Awareness Week approaching that week, the timing is fitting for parishes to place a special emphasis on vocations.
To relaunch the Called by Name program, one simple idea is to invite parishioners, after prayerful reflection, to submit the name of a young man they believe demonstrates qualities of a potential priest. Churches could collect the names in the collection basket, a designated jar, through a QR code, or by another method chosen by the parish. Four hundred names were submitted during the initial campaign. The names are sent to priests, who in turn send them to Bishop Senior. From there, the men are invited to events such as Project Andrew Dinners, named for the apostle Andrew. Most recently, 45 men were invited to two dinners.
Toward the end of the gathering, attendees were randomly divided into smaller groups to discuss questions and talk about what their churches had done since the initial gathering. Attendees mentioned borrowing wooden cutouts of priests and sisters that children can pose with for fun photos at church festivals, fairs, and fish fries. People can make their own cutouts, purchase them online, or borrow them from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Hanover. The number to reserve them is 443-398-1413.
Some attendees said their churches are using a traveling crucifix program or holding groups that pray the Rosary for vocations. Others mentioned starting libraries with large-print and children’s books and videos. Some have held vocation fairs, hosted sisters or priests as speakers, or used social media to promote vocations. Hosting a breakfast or bake sale for seminarians was another idea. Knights of Columbus organizations have also donated funds.
Some churches have adopted a seminarian and send encouraging letters, money for a restaurant dinner, or toiletries. Others mentioned smaller efforts, such as making prayer cards available at fish fries for attendees to take home. Some have religious coloring pages to encourage gratitude for clergy or keep children occupied at fish dinners. Vocation materials for printing or purchase can be found at vocationministry.com. People suggested new ideas, such as a Pizza with a Priest event or hosting a Holy Hour for people to pray for vocations. Another suggestion was for homebound people to offer their sufferings to God.
Very Rev. Mark Speitel, Vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life for the diocese, was also present during the four-hour gathering and spoke about the importance of personal witness and sharing vocation stories. He shared that after one young man heard the bishop’s story about his call to the priesthood at the young man’s confirmation ceremony, he was inspired to pursue the priesthood.
When asked about a 2026 New York Times article describing a surge in adults converting to the Roman Catholic faith and citing a desire for stability and traditional structure, as well as the roles of Catholic media and podcasts, YouTube, and apologetics, Fr. Speitel explained, “There is currently a swell, which is part of a great conversion.”
Another attendee voiced his opinion, saying, “Charlie Kirk and kids in masks for years, too.” Another cited Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “dynamic online presence” and his Bible in a Year program. “In addition to reading the Bible, he explains what the verses mean, too,” the attendee said.
Father Weaver said, “The Diocese of Harrisburg is particularly blessed by the willingness of people throughout the area to give of their time, talent, and treasure.” He added, “Our diocese has a fantastic culture and the Holy Spirit is working here.” He also expressed appreciation for the diocese’s strong leadership by Bishop Senior and thanked the vocation committee members for giving their time to help promote vocations.
Throughout the meeting, Father Weaver’s enthusiasm for vocation ministry was evident as he encouraged parish leaders to continue looking for ways to invite young men to consider God’s call. He added, “Ultimately, vocation ministry is not simply about recruiting priests. It is about helping young people discern what God may be calling them to do and providing the support, prayer, and encouragement they need to faithfully respond.” Fr. Josh and Fr. Speitel expressed their gratitude, saying that vocation teams help their priests immensely.
The afternoon closed in prayer. Father Josh encouraged attendees to be beacons of light to others. He thanked them for their passion, continued work in their parishes, and prayers..
