News from Diocese of Saginaw, MI

[frommi]

Even though four new priests were just ordained, Saginaw is still in pretty bad shape vocation-wise. I read somewhere that there are only about 58 active priests covering 106 parishes.

There are about 40 retired priests in the diocese…and the high retired-to-active ratio is a legacy of the decades of deemphasis of vocations.

Just gotta get a dig in there don’t ya?

I’m in Chicago now where there is quite an emphasis on vocations…and yet they have more retired priests than any other diocese in Illinois has active priests…they ordained 11 men on Saturday…none of whom is an American, let alone a native Chicagoan.

This false idea of a ‘deemphasis’ on vocations comes up within every Saginaw thread…it’s an utterly false claim. You can argue with the methods used to cultivate vocations and say they didn’t work…but there was no ‘deemphasis’.

 

[bakhita]

Just gotta get a dig in there don’t ya?

I’m in Chicago now where there is quite an emphasis on vocations…and yet they have more retired priests than any other diocese in Illinois has active priests…they ordained 11 men on Saturday…none of whom is an American, let alone a native Chicagoan.

This false idea of a ‘deemphasis’ on vocations comes up within every Saginaw thread…it’s an utterly false claim. You can argue with the methods used to cultivate vocations and say they didn’t work…but there was no ‘deemphasis’.

I don’t know about that. I can only say that having lived in the Saginaw diocese during Untener’s entire time as bishop, I don’t really ever remember Untener or any particular priest EVER talk about vocations, encourage people to take time to discern their vocations, etc. In the past 3 years, that’s what I hear about more than anything else. You may argue that there was no “deemphasis” but I will say this—there is a world of difference in the emphasis on vocations now compared to 5 years ago when priests were openly talking about how the day would be coming soon when Mass probably wouldn’t be available on a regular basis. There is a definite shift in emphasis and I must say–it’s refreshing.

 

[frommi]

I don’t know about that. I can only say that having lived in the Saginaw diocese during Untener’s entire time as bishop, I don’t really ever remember Untener or any particular priest EVER talk about vocations, encourage people to take time to discern their vocations, etc. In the past 3 years, that’s what I hear about more than anything else. You may argue that there was no “deemphasis” but I will say this—there is a world of difference in the emphasis on vocations now compared to 5 years ago when priests were openly talking about how the day would be coming soon when Mass probably wouldn’t be available on a regular basis. There is a definite shift in emphasis and I must say–it’s refreshing.

Fair statement from you.

 

[Lepanto]

This false idea of a ‘deemphasis’ on vocations comes up within every Saginaw thread…it’s an utterly false claim. You can argue with the methods used to cultivate vocations and say they didn’t work…but there was no ‘deemphasis’.

You can dance around the issue all you want, but the new bishop is clearly doing something for vocations that his pedecessor did not, could not, or chose not to do. The Diocese of Saginaw definitely appears to be on an upturn.

 

[frommi]

You can dance around the issue all you want, but the new bishop is clearly doing something for vocations that his pedecessor did not, could not, or chose not to do. The Diocese of Saginaw definitely appears to be on an upturn.

Did not or could not are a far cry from ‘chose not’…

I have been very even in my assessment of vocations in the diocese.

I just can’t stand idly by when people make it sound like there was an effort made to suppress vocations.

And let’s be realistic…7 men were ordained in the last year, 1 is a native of the diocese, and he was inherited.

When/if the ordinations are full of young/old men from the saginaw area, then something will have been done that the former bishop could not, did not, etc.

For now, it’s a wonderful thing to have more priests, and we should leave it at that.

 

[roanoker]

I’ve just got to ask…why all the intense interest in the diocese of Saginaw, Mich? This thread has been running as long as I’ve been reading this forum, and I don’t understand. Why is this diocese so much more important than the others? Roanoker

 

[bakhita]

And let’s be realistic…7 men were ordained in the last year, 1 is a native of the diocese, and he was inherited.

When/if the ordinations are full of young/old men from the saginaw area, then something will have been done that the former bishop could not, did not, etc.

You have to remember though–when Bishop Untener was here, there were Saginaw men who felt called to the priesthood who Untener rejected, supposedly because they were too traditional for his tastes. I know of at least 2 who were ordained for other dioceses after being rejected by Bishop Untener.

I think you have to remember also–how economically depressed the Saginaw area is. So many people have moved away…I think that also presents a definite challenge for cultivating vocations to the priesthood.

I’ll say this too about Bishop Carlson—he places a great amount of dignity on all vocations–not just vocations to the religious life or the priesthood but also to married life and “the generous single life.” I think that’s important.

 

[frommi]

You have to remember though–when Bishop Untener was here, there were Saginaw men who felt called to the priesthood who Untener rejected, supposedly because they were too traditional for his tastes. I know of at least 2 who were ordained for other dioceses after being rejected by Bishop Untener.

I think you have to remember also–how economically depressed the Saginaw area is. So many people have moved away…I think that also presents a definite challenge for cultivating vocations to the priesthood.

I’ll say this too about Bishop Carlson—he places a great amount of dignity on all vocations–not just vocations to the religious life or the priesthood but also to married life and “the generous single life.” I think that’s important.

That’s all well and good, but you are making dramatic assumptions about the reasons for any particular vocation being ‘rejected’. I mean, this year a man was ordained that I think 2 dioceses turned down for reasons of age.

Also keep in mind that it is always up to any bishop whom he is going to ordain.

I don’t disagree with a lot of what you are saying, my original response was one that I thought went ‘out of bounds’

 

[Lepanto]

That’s all well and good, but you are making dramatic assumptions about the reasons for any particular vocation being ‘rejected’. I mean, this year a man was ordained that I think 2 dioceses turned down for reasons of age.

Also keep in mind that it is always up to any bishop whom he is going to ordain.

I don’t disagree with a lot of what you are saying, my original response was one that I thought went ‘out of bounds’

What will it take (or when will we start seeing) “home-grown” priestly vocations from within the diocese itself?

 

[lrs]

It will take Catholic people like you and me to pray the Rosary for vocations to the priesthood.
It will take you and I being open to the Holy Spirit.
It will take reverence and awe.
It will take prominently displaying the Crucifix in our Parishes and getting on our knees…
It will take a Rememberance, a Love of Celebration of the Sacraments, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, …

You see, it is in you and me to raise children to want to love and serve the Lord. It will be more about them, less about us.

I Thank God every single day for all the Seminarians. If you are going to critique who God sends, if you are going to question where they are from, the Gifts that they Bring, then you are really questioning God’s Holy Providence. It is by sheer GRACE, it is by TRUE LOVE, that we are so BLESSED. We have not earned it.

God Bless, Lisa

 

[frommi]

What will it take (or when will we start seeing) “home-grown” priestly vocations from within the diocese itself?

It’ll happen.

And let’s be clear. I have no issue with who God sends or where they are from.

I was just pointing out that was some unfairness in saying that the current ordinary is doing a better job of raising vocations up than the former bishop. The current ordinary is doing a better job of expanding his scope and going to other places to find priests (like Colombia, etc). Nothing wrong with that.

However…that is different than saying he suddenly has 15 men from within the diocese feeling called to service.

Remember, there are 3 very very good Catholic high schools in the diocese…so outside of what any bishop does it’s surprising that there seems to be such apathy and fear towards vocations.

 

[lrs]

I do believe that Bishop Carlson, who is centered in the Eucharist, and centered in following God’s Will, has been the instrument by which this diocese has been gifted with the increase in vocations.

This is due in part to having seminarians interact, and serve as a role model to the young men in this dioceses. It is imperative to the process. It reminds us, makes us aware. I know personally that the Seminarians interact with the young people a lot. Many, almost all, of the seminarians went on the Right to LIfe March in Washington, D.C. The seminarian on our bus did witness to the young people. I think back to the Eucharistic Congress Day last summer where many hundred children attended. The Seminarians were there. The office of Youth Ministry, takes many groups to Sacred Heart Major Seminary, where the seminarians graciously spend an entire day with the youth. Many Seminarians are going with the young people to World Youth Day in Sydney, Austrailia. I am more than certain that there are many more examples. The WISDOM of this, the Movement of the Holy Spirit in this, is how some have heard the call.

Many many lives have been touched by these seminarians that came here from other places. Bishop held the Men’s Conference this year, extremely powerful in reaching to the young people. Vocation nights are offered at many Knights of Columbus. It is in HIS willingness to pray for Vocations, in his talent and gift to reach the young people that is the DIFFERENCE. It is the desire to create an Environment that celebrates the Vocation of Priesthood, the Ordination, the Willingness to lay down one’s life for the Lord.

This interaction of the seminarians is more than just a gracious giving back to all the gifts God has given, it is a Rememberance, a Renewal. And, just for the record, the former Bishop did not reach out to increase vocations. I had a priest tell me that the former Bishop knew one day it would be a problem. This is that “one day”. Many retired priests. The former Bishop had a certain set of criteria that each prospective seminarian had to meet, many were turned away, went to other Dioceses. A few I know personally in the thumb.

Frommi, I respect you enormously. I must say: Could you imagine what would happen if we did not have these seminarians. Our dioceses in 10 years may have been absolved into the Archdiocese of Detroit, Diocese of Gaylord. etc. God Bless Bishop Carlson! We are stretched, many priests with more than one Parish, and Bishop has not closed any parishes as I am aware of. He has a grand vision, he is a true Steward of God’s Will.

MORE than anything we need priests, it is about Evangelization, it is about bringing people home. Our Foundation is taking the Body and Blood of Christ, we want that for ALL Catholics. So many who no longer go to Mass. If there are no available priests, if parishes close, if we have only retired priests, then celebration of the Holy Mass can not happen.

Just a note, rumored is that we have a signifcant number of young men, from a Diocesan Catholic High School, are possibly entering the Seminary.

Seminarians called from Columbia or other places are following God’s will in their lives, What a beautiful Gift for Us!

Blessings, LIsa

 

[Lepanto]

I do believe that Bishop Carlson, who is centered in the Eucharist, and centered in following God’s Will, has been the instrument by which this diocese has been gifted with the increase in vocations.

This is due in part to having seminarians interact, and serve as a role model to the young men in this dioceses. It is imperative to the process. It reminds us, makes us aware. I know personally that the Seminarians interact with the young people a lot. Many, almost all, of the seminarians went on the Right to LIfe March in Washington, D.C. The seminarian on our bus did witness to the young people. I think back to the Eucharistic Congress Day last summer where many hundred children attended. The Seminarians were there. The office of Youth Ministry, takes many groups to Sacred Heart Major Seminary, where the seminarians graciously spend an entire day with the youth. Many Seminarians are going with the young people to World Youth Day in Sydney, Austrailia. I am more than certain that there are many more examples. The WISDOM of this, the Movement of the Holy Spirit in this, is how some have heard the call.

Many many lives have been touched by these seminarians that came here from other places. Bishop held the Men’s Conference this year, extremely powerful in reaching to the young people. Vocation nights are offered at many Knights of Columbus. It is in HIS willingness to pray for Vocations, in his talent and gift to reach the young people that is the DIFFERENCE. It is the desire to create an Environment that celebrates the Vocation of Priesthood, the Ordination, the Willingness to lay down one’s life for the Lord.

This interaction of the seminarians is more than just a gracious giving back to all the gifts God has given, it is a Rememberance, a Renewal. And, just for the record, the former Bishop did not reach out to increase vocations. I had a priest tell me that the former Bishop knew one day it would be a problem. This is that “one day”. Many retired priests. The former Bishop had a certain set of criteria that each prospective seminarian had to meet, many were turned away, went to other Dioceses. A few I know personally in the thumb.

Frommi, I respect you enormously. I must say: Could you imagine what would happen if we did not have these seminarians. Our dioceses in 10 years may have been absolved into the Archdiocese of Detroit, Diocese of Gaylord. etc. God Bless Bishop Carlson! We are stretched, many priests with more than one Parish, and Bishop has not closed any parishes as I am aware of. He has a grand vision, he is a true Steward of God’s Will.

MORE than anything we need priests, it is about Evangelization, it is about bringing people home. Our Foundation is taking the Body and Blood of Christ, we want that for ALL Catholics. So many who no longer go to Mass. If there are no available priests, if parishes close, if we have only retired priests, then celebration of the Holy Mass can not happen.

Just a note, rumored is that we have a signifcant number of young men, from a Diocesan Catholic High School, are possibly entering the Seminary.

Seminarians called from Columbia or other places are following God’s will in their lives, What a beautiful Gift for Us!

Blessings, LIsa

Thank you for your positive and enlightening post. I am especially heartened about the rumored new seminarians from a diocesan high school. It’s going to take time before the diocese can generate enough priestly vocations from within in order to meet its own needs.

By the way…any news about women’s vocations in the diocese?

 

[lrs]

Uhmm! Women’s vocations?? At the Serra Benefit Dinner for Seminarians, Bishop Carlson announced a Sister who was pleased to announce an increase in the number of young women entering the convent. I believe that there was atleast 20 in formation.
I believe that women are a vital part of the Evangelization process, bringing people home who have left the church. I would like to see us go out two by two. There is a great program with the Office of Christian Service, called the Befriender Program. I tried getting our Parish on board but to no avail. Perhaps, one day.

God Bless.
Lisa

 

[Lepanto]

Uhmm! Women’s vocations?? At the Serra Benefit Dinner for Seminarians, Bishop Carlson announced a Sister who was pleased to announce an increase in the number of young women entering the convent. I believe that there was atleast 20 in formation.
I believe that women are a vital part of the Evangelization process, bringing people home who have left the church. I would like to see us go out two by two. There is a great program with the Office of Christian Service, called the Befriender Program. I tried getting our Parish on board but to no avail. Perhaps, one day.

God Bless.
Lisa

That’s great news about women’s vocations! Do you know which congregations these young women are entering?

I’m not familiar with Befriender Program. That must’ve started after I moved out of Mich. What is it?

 

[Karl_M]

That’s great news about women’s vocations! Do you know which congregations these young women are entering?

I’m not familiar with Befriender Program. That must’ve started after I moved out of Mich. What is it?

The Religious Sisters of Mercy out in Alma, about twenty-odd miles west of Saginaw, seem to have quite a few younger sisters.

You do see them around the Diocese from time to time, they wear all black, and they do wear Vatican II-style veils.

 

[bakhita]

Has anyone heard news about the bishop getting some priests from Columbia for the diocese of Saginaw?

 

[piejesu]

Has anyone heard news about the bishop getting some priests from Columbia for the diocese of Saginaw?

There are several seminarians from Columbia in the diocese now, haven’t heard anything about priests.

 

[MICATH]

There are several seminarians from Columbia in the diocese now, haven’t heard anything about priests.

I have heard the same rumors, that he is getting both priests and seminarians from Columbia. I heard he is there for a visit right now.

Also, I was wondering if anyone has seen any significant changes in any parishes as a result of all the shuffling of pastors that took place July 1?

At St. Thomas in Saginaw, changes were apparent the first week. Father report that several member of the diocese liturgy office arrived on the 1st and instructed him to get things in line with the GIRM asap. The presidential chair was moved back to the altar, wine was consecrated in the glass chalices, rather than in the flagon, etc. Sacred vessels were also ordered to replace the glass.
St. John Vianney went back to having wine consecrated in the flagon after having been in chalices for some time.

Did anyone else notice any significant changes with the new pastors?

 

[Lepanto]

I have heard the same rumors, that he is getting both priests and seminarians from Columbia. I heard he is there for a visit right now.

Also, I was wondering if anyone has seen any significant changes in any parishes as a result of all the shuffling of pastors that took place July 1?

At St. Thomas in Saginaw, changes were apparent the first week. Father report that several member of the diocese liturgy office arrived on the 1st and instructed him to get things in line with the GIRM asap. The presidential chair was moved back to the altar, wine was consecrated in the glass chalices, rather than in the flagon, etc. Sacred vessels were also ordered to replace the glass.
St. John Vianney went back to having wine consecrated in the flagon after having been in chalices for some time.

Did anyone else notice any significant changes with the new pastors?

Why all the changes now?

Also, by St. Thomas do you mean St. Thomas a’ Becket or Thomas the Apostle parish? Where was the priest’s chair until now?