Welcome from our Vocation Director
Dear Friends of the Vocations Office,
Welcome to our circle of supporters! As Director of Vocations & Seminarians , I want to thank you for your commitment to our diocese's future. The work of discernment is often quiet, yet it is profoundly transformative.
Our seminarians and those discerning taking the step into seminary formation depend on your prayers and sacrifices as they navigate their journey to the seminary and possibly the priesthood. Your support provides them with the encouragement they need to say "yes" to God’s calling.
We hope to keep you closely informed about our upcoming discernment events, seminarian updates, and stories of faith. Please join us in praying daily for an increase in priestly vocations in our diocese.
With gratitude in Christ,
Fr. David Neuschwander
Director of Vocations & Seminarians
Friends of the Office of Priestly Vocations
The Office of Priestly Vocations would love to share news, events, and opportunities that are helping build a culture of vocations across the Diocese of Superior. From high school discernment retreats to Seminary Come and See weekends to St. Andrew Dinners, there is so much happening to encourage young men to hear and respond to God’s call.
The Office of Priestly Vocations is currently building its prayer network. Our network is made up of the "friends" who stand in the gap, helping us to ask the Lord to send laborers into His harvest. We truly believe that it is the prayers of our friends in the network, before the Blessed Sacrament, that give our discerners the courage to step forward.
We invite you to be part of our spiritual family as we accompany these individuals and the work of the Office of Priestly Vocations. If you would be interested in supporting our office in its prayer mission, please share your contact info with us and we will add you to the monthly intercession email list.
In the meantime, check out the links below for vocations resources.
Thank you for your interest in supporting vocations in our diocese! We will be in touch!
The Dioceses of Superior Vocations Team
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to Geralynne Berg, Vocations Assistant: gerry@haywardcatholic.org May God bless you!
No one discerns alone!
We can help each other by talking about vocations, in our families and our communities.
If you are married, be a good example of a holy marriage.
If you have children, talk to them from an early age about vocations; invite priests, seminarians, and religious men and women to your house for coffee or dinner; pray together for vocations often as a family. Ask “Who do you think God is calling you to be?”
Vocations Promotion Resources
The mission of evangelization is entrusted by Christ to his Church to be carried out in all her forms of ministry, witness, and service. By evangelizing, the Church seeks to bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus and strengthened by the sacraments, most especially the celebration of the Eucharist, they freely share that faith with others to transform the world.
Our mission: Guided by the Holy Spirit, Vocation Ministry ignites a vibrant culture of vocations. Inspired by Christ’s call to ‘Come, Follow Me,’ we unite with dioceses to train, equip, and encourage vocation directors, priests, and laity. Together, we cultivate and nurture vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and sacramental marriage, fostering a response that yields a hundredfold harvest.
The Rosary is a hallowed prayer to meditate on Christ’s life as well as intercede for special intentions.
Celebrate
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life - February 2, 2026 In 1997, Pope St. John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2. This feast is also known as Candlemas Day, the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church. (USCCB, World Day for Consecrated Life)
World Day of Prayer for Vocations - April 26th, 2026 The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life. While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), consecrated life in all its forms (male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity), secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life. ~USCCB
World Priest Day - June 12, 2026 The World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests takes place every year on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred heart of Jesus. Established by Saint John Paul II in 2002, this celebration occurs annually on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On this day the Church encourages priests to prayerfully reflect upon the gift of their vocation. The faithful are also invited to mark this celebration by praying for all priests that they may live lives of holiness and fidelity to Christ and his Church.
Priesthood Sunday September 27, 2026 Priesthood Sunday is a special day set aside to honor the priesthood. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central on.
Deacon Sunday October 11, 2026 In 2022, Vocation Ministry started a new vocation celebration, Deacon Sunday. This new celebration day was created to inspire vocations to the diaconate and affirm deacons and their families.
National Vocation Awareness Week - November 1, 2026 National Vocation Awareness Week is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.