Contacts & Publisher

Subscription Form

Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  Archbishop to speak at discernment day

by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published December 25, 2009

DETROIT — Whether you're just starting to think about becoming a priest, or if you're already in the application process, all men ages 17-40 are welcome to attend a day of discernment to see if God is calling you to the priesthood.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron will participate in this day of discernment, said director of the Office of Priestly Vocations Fr. Tim Birney, making the first time he's participated in such a day. "He told me he was willing to do vocation ministry with me, and this is one of the events he told me he was willing to do," said Fr. Birney.

Fr. Birney sees anywhere from 10-20 men participate in a discernment day, and expecting quite a few more now that the archbishop has committed to the event. The discernment day also comes just before National Vocation Awareness week, which begins Jan. 10.

Ap. Vigneron

The day will include three sessions on the different aspects of discerning a priestly calling and prayer, both privately and as part of evening prayer. Fr. Birney said such discernment days are one of many programs of the vocations office to help men discern whether or now they are being called to the priesthood.

"It gives them another opportunity to spend another day in quiet prayer and reflection — is this where God is calling me?" he said.

Fr. Birney

There's also a benefit to spending a discernment day with other men, he said, as they can discuss some of their concerns with others going through the same thing. "They find it very worthwhile," he said of past participants. "The only way you know what it's like is to spend time gathering information. This is a time for people in the archdiocese to do that."