Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This weekend, I am grateful to Fr. Chris Ford, the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Bridgeport, for his ministry to our parish. I am away for a few days of vacation with priest friends from my seminary days. Fathers Blatchford and Silva have ably held down the fort with day-to-day ministry in my absence, and I am so thankful for their help!

Fr. Ford is here to speak to the gift of vocations to the priesthood, especially here in the Diocese of Bridgeport. I have said many times that I have no doubt in my mind that God is calling young men from our parish to serve Him at the altar and to serve His people with sacramental ministry. Pope St. John Paul II described one’s vocation as the answer to the question, “Why am I alive?” Time and again in my almost-fourteen years of priesthood, God has reminded me that the whole reason I am alive is to serve His people as a priest, to bring them the blessings of His grace, and to help them on the way to salvation.

If you would like to know more about the vocation to the priesthood, especially in the Diocese of Bridgeport, please visit www.bridgeportpriest.org. You can contact Fr. Ford at (203) 416-1625 or frford@diobpt.org.

For many years, the seminarians of the Diocese of Bridgeport prayed this prayer before dinner each evening. I invite you to pray this together as a family before meals!

Father, in your plan for our salvation, you provide shepherds for your people. Fill you Church with the Spirit of courage and charity. Raise up worthy priests for your altars, and ardent but gentle servants of the Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Peace,

Fr. Sam