Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The Bishop’s Appeal for Vocations to Begin Oct. 5-6

As a priest, I’m invited to hold many beautiful and precious things: the Sacraments, the Word of God, the hopes, heartaches, and stories of the people of God, to name a few. A commonality among these things is that none of them belong to me, and I would be foolish to let myself fall into the trap of believing that they have goodness or worth because of me. No, as a priest I’m invited to hold them with great care and reverence, seeing them as the freely offered treasures from the Lord that they are.

Fr. Alec Sasse, vocations director: "Fortunately for me, I share this sentiment with St. Paul," who wrote to the church in Corinth: (1 Cor. 4:1). St. Paul takes great pains to explain to the people that he didn’t conjure up the doctrines of the Church, and he didn’t create the Sacraments he’s presenting to the people. He is instead "the humble protector and caretaker" – of what rightfully belongs to Christ.

Bishop Conley also spoke of this idea of stewarding holy things when he addressed five men he was about to ordain in May this year. This attitude and disposition should not belong exclusively to priests but should be embraced by all Christians. All is gift and no holy thing in our lives belongs to us; we have merely been entrusted with them. Just as a steward is neither the king nor possessor of a kingdom’s property, so too is a Christian neither originator nor possessor of the rich treasures and mysteries of the Church.

This theme resonates strongly when reflecting upon vocations to the priesthood this year, which have filled many with hope for the Church. Five new priests were welcomed into our diocese this year; it is hoped that Southern Nebraska has found "the merciful face of Jesus in these young shepherds." These new priests are not possessions but gifts given by God.

Similarly notable was welcoming an extraordinary number of men called by God to discern priesthood this year from across our Diocese—from Nebraska City to McCook—each coming from different backgrounds but sharing two key traits: love for Eucharistic adoration and a desire for spiritual detoxification from worldly chaos.

These seminarians reflect gifts from God rather than products solely of human effort or righteousness. The Diocese's culture of vocations stems from grace rather than human merit alone.

To be faithful stewards of these vocations within our Diocese involves two primary actions: prayer and support through initiatives like the Bishop’s Appeal for Vocations starting on Oct. 5-6. Prayer supports seminarians' discernment, perseverance, and holiness amidst spiritual challenges noted by Timothy Cardinal Dolan who remarked on seminarians being targets for spiritual attacks.

The Bishop’s Appeal provides necessary financial resources averaging over $40,000 annually per seminarian for education and training costs heightened by increased seminary admissions.

In summary, stewardship involves adopting reverence towards these men called into priesthood akin to St Philip Neri's respect towards English seminarians during hostile times against Catholicism in late 16th century England—recognizing reflections of Jesus within them without glorifying their humanity alone but acknowledging divine generosity bestowed upon us.