Building a Culture of Vocations: Diocese of Toledo Introduces Three-Point Plan
Parishes throughout the diocese are being invited to take an active role in encouraging vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
The next priest or religious sister from the Diocese of Toledo may already be sitting in a parish pew. Sometimes, all it takes is someone recognizing the possibility of a vocation and offering the encouragement to explore it.
That simple act of encouragement is at the heart of a coordinated diocesan effort to build a culture of vocations throughout Northwest Ohio.
Through a partnership with Vocation Ministry, a national Catholic nonprofit organization, the Diocese of Toledo is equipping priests, parish staffs and parishioners with practical ways to encourage young people to consider God's call.
The effort began taking shape earlier this year, with opportunities for priests and parish leaders to learn how to foster vocations in their communities. In September, the annual Diocesan Pastoral Conference focused on "Called Forth: Building a Culture of Holy Vocations."
Two days later, approximately 150 parishioners representing more than 60 parishes gathered for a Vocation Ministry Parishioner Workshop led by Rhonda Gruenewald, founder of Vocation Ministry and author of Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry.
These parishioners, selected by their pastors, spent the day in prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and practical formation, learning how to establish and sustain vocation ministries in their own parishes.
Now, Catholics throughout the diocese are being invited to put that formation into action through a three-point plan.
1. Start a Parish Vocation Ministry Team
The first step is establishing a Vocation Ministry Team in each parish.
These teams of lay faithful work alongside their pastor and other parish leaders to create an environment where vocations are regularly discussed, encouraged and prayed for.
Rather than placing the entire responsibility for fostering vocations on parish priests, these teams allow parishioners to take an active role in identifying potential vocations, organizing opportunities for prayer and supporting those who are discerning.
Father David Kidd, Director of the Office for Diocesan Priestly Vocations, emphasized that Vocation Ministry provides practical resources and guidance to help priests, parish leaders and parishioners succeed. By equipping lay volunteers to take on much of the local work, the initiative allows pastors to rely on committed parishioners who share responsibility for fostering vocations.
Parishes are encouraged to hold their first Vocation Ministry Team meeting before Christmas, inviting their pastor, youth minister, director of religious education and other parish leaders to begin planning.
How you can help: Interested in helping foster vocations in your parish? Ask your pastor about joining or helping to establish a Parish Vocation Ministry Team.
2. Participate in Called by Name Sunday
On January 16–17, 2027, priests throughout the Diocese of Toledo will preach about vocations and invite parishioners to participate in Called by Name, an initiative encouraging Catholics to identify young people who may have a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life.
Parishioners will be invited to prayerfully consider the young men and women, ages 14 and older, whom they know through their families, parishes, schools and communities.
Is there a young man who demonstrates a deep love for the Eucharist, a desire to serve others or an interest in the priesthood? Is there a young woman whose prayer life, generosity and love for Christ suggest that she might be called to religious life?
Called by Name invites Catholics to recognize those qualities in others and offer encouragement to explore where God may be leading them.
Parish Vocation Ministry Teams are encouraged to begin identifying potential candidates and gathering contact information in preparation for the initiative. Names can be submitted through toledopriesthood.org.
How you can help: Begin praying now about the young men and women in your parish who may be called to the priesthood or consecrated life. Who comes to mind? Ask God to help you recognize potential vocations and consider whose name you might share during Called by Name Sunday.
3. Pray a Daily Hail Mary for Vocations
The third part of the plan is something every Catholic can begin immediately: prayer.
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas has consistently encouraged Catholics throughout the Diocese of Toledo to pray a daily Hail Mary for an increase in vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Toledo and to offer fasting or some form of penance on Fridays for that intention.
The initiative builds upon this commitment, encouraging parishioners to make these practices part of their daily lives and establish regular parish Holy Hours for priestly vocations.
These simple practices recognize that fostering vocations begins with asking God to raise up holy priests from within our own parishes and helping those whom He calls to respond generously.
How you can help: Commit to praying one Hail Mary each day specifically for an increase in vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Toledo. On Fridays, offer fasting or another form of penance for this intention. Encourage your parish to hold regular Holy Hours for priestly vocations.
Every Parish Has a Role to Play
As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 1–7, the Diocese of Toledo is inviting every parish to consider its role in encouraging the next generation of priests and consecrated men and women.
That work does not belong to priests and vocation directors alone. It belongs to parents, grandparents, teachers, catechists, parish staff members and every Catholic who recognizes the possibility of a vocation in someone they know.
Through prayer, encouragement and intentional parish involvement, Catholics across the Diocese of Toledo can help create communities where young people are not only invited to consider God's call, but supported as they discern it.
To learn more about the diocesan vocations initiative, visit toledopriesthood.org.
Posted October 31, 2026 at 9:00 am