As part of the Diocese of Gaylord’s campaign for vocations, the Diocese has started yet another program. This one is named “Called by Name”. It is an attempt to reach out to all Catholics in the area and invite them to give the name of a young man who could be contacted by the Diocese. The Diocese would then contact that individual and invite them to events that include discernment for the vocation of the priesthood.
The campaign has some important positive points. It is easy to start the process; the Diocese only requests a contact, such as an address, phone number, or Email address. The Diocese will then make the effort to reach out to the individual. This makes the process streamlined and easy, which is not always the case with big institutions. The individual will also get a personally signed letter from Bishop Walsh, “congratulating them and inviting them to a special event.”
On the other hand, this effort may be the wrong strategy. Is this just another throwback to the failures of the modern Catholic Church, ie, trying to support a floundering Diocese with a misguided emphasis that does not include basic catechesis, example of holy priests, or a celebration of sacrifice? What is the inspiration for any young man to commit to such a job/vocation? Would it not be better to reclaim the liturgy and identify the male priesthood as sacred and distinct? What male would want to be a priest in a parish with a so-called Catholic school with no distinctly Catholic identity? These are all problems within our current Diocese and will deter a prospective priest from a vocation.