My dear friends in Christ,
This past Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday. It was also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. I ask that you continue to pray for your priests and to thank them for their priestly service.
Also, though, I want to express my gratitude for your support for our seminarians. In late February, a second collection was taken up for “A Good and Growing Need.” We had 16 new seminarians, which added nearly $1 million to seminary expenses this year. Through your generosity, we raised more than half a million dollars in that second collection. My vocations director, Father Bill Hahn, tells me that we will have a dozen or more new men apply for the seminary for next year.
We have “A Good and Growing Need” in our ever-growing diocese, the Diocese of Columbus. Young men are responding to the Pope’s call to rise up to serve their brothers and sisters as priests. They are responding to the call to be pilgrims of hope and builders of peace.
We look forward in great hope to the future of our diocese, but today I simply want to thank you; to thank you for your prayers, to thank you for your generosity, and your continued support for our priests and seminarians.
May God bless you and your families for your kindness and generosity.
Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes
Bishop of Columbus
