May 11, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend continues with two special occasions related to particular vocations. First, we celebrate Mother’s Day today. So I’ll begin this week by speaking for all of us by expressing our deepest gratitude for all the mothers in our lives. Your love and your calling is truly one of God’s greatest gifts, and we can only return that love with gratitude and humility. Thank you for the “yes” that you said to God and to us, and please be assured of our prayers for you, on this special day and each day. May Mary, the Mother of God, be especially present to you as the model for your important calling. Second, today also marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which is observed each year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Speaking from my own experience, I’d make two recommendations about how to promote this way of life that serves Christ’s flock. In prayer, ask the Lord to give the men he’s calling the graces needed to hear his calling and follow. And when talking with the young men in your life, be sure to express the idea and importance of the priesthood every now and again. The shortage of priests isn’t from a lack of people that God is calling, but a lack of an ability to hear that call and a shortage of social resources that make following it a joy. Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, and our patron St. Thomas, may each of us be strengthened in our life’s vocation this week, and may our young people hear God’s call to the path he has chosen for them. God bless,

Father Jantz