Promoting Vocations Relies on Relationships

Father David Nations, CM, recently became Vocation Director for the Midwest Province. His goal is to develop relationships with all candidates interested in finding out more about Vincentian life. Contact Fr. Nations at 1-800-DePaul1 or vocations@vincentian.org.

Growing up in Perryville, Missouri, I was in many ways born into the Vincentian family. I was baptized into this new family by Father Walter Reisinger, CM, the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in 1969.

I attended the local Catholic grade school for eight years, and was taught by wonderful Daughters of Charity: Sisters Elizabeth Merkel, Carmela, Margaret Mary, Teresa Daily, DC, and many others.

In third grade, I became an altar server and it seemed as though I was in church every other day. I remember Father Ken Grass, CM, messing up my hair and pulling my ears and Father Tom Esselman, CM, in his first assignment. Father Tony Dosen, CM – or the then-Reverend Mr. Tony Dosen – served as a deacon. There was, of course, Father Charles Rice, CM, the director of the Association of the Miraculous Medal and Brother Bill who visited my family’s home often. All of these people were part of the family I grew up with.

Then one day I told my mother I was thinking of being a priest. Well, it didn’t take long before a new Vincen­tian, whom I never met before, was sitting outside my parent’s home as my father was frying chicken for dinner. Father Jay Jung, CM, drove down from Chicago just to visit my family and answer any questions we might have about the seminary. As I look back, I wonder how much this visit and the many others before affected my vocation. The truth is, I know I am a priest today because of the care and companionship of these Vincentians and Daughters of Charity.

Promoting vocations is about relationships. If priests and brothers are not willing to get to know individuals and spend time with their families, I doubt they will hear or answer the call from God to serve as a priest or brother. Ask any priest you know why they became a priest and it is very likely they will share the name of some priest, brother or sister who encouraged them and spent time with them.

As I considered the role of vocation director, I was reaffirmed in the belief that I must get to know individuals if they will ever answer God’s call. Modern technology in all its wonder allows us
to communicate via Web sites, e-mails, instant messaging — and who knows what else is to come. Yet nothing takes the place of personal contact with individuals and their families. As Vocation Director, I promise to visit every individual and every family, no matter where they are. I plan on inviting them to the different works and houses where we Vincentians work and live. I want them to see the great works we do in service to the poor.

Here is where I need your help:

I need names of people who have expressed an interest in, or who you think would be open to considering, the Vincentian way of life. How incredible would it be if everyone who receives
this newsletter would send me the name of one individual who is thinking of the priesthood, or who you think would make a good priest? I promise that every individual who is sent my way will be called, e-mailed and, if they are open to it, visited in a timely way.

The shortage of priests in the United States is a growing problem. It can, however, be resolved. All of us need to do our part. Please take some time today, think about it, pray about it. Find at least one person who you think would make a good priest and send me his name, address, phone
number and e-mail address.

May St. Vincent de Paul bless our efforts.