Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations in the Louisville area are being invited to take part in a workshop focused on supporting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life. The Ignite Workshop will be held on October 11 at the Maloney Center and is organized by the local St. Serra Club together with the Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation Office.

Chuck Lynch, president of the local St. Serra Club, explained that the event is designed for lay people interested in helping to foster vocations. The St. Serra Club is an international group dedicated to promoting religious vocations.

Organizers have extended invitations to about 20 groups including parishes, schools, Scouts, Knights of Columbus, and campus ministries. Those not directly invited but interested in learning more can contact Chuck Lynch at 442-9302 or ChuckLynch4782@gmail.com.

The workshop was first presented last year and encourages participants to start vocation ministries within their communities. Attendees will participate in Mass and hear from speakers Ken Peet, a local Serran who serves as a trustee on the board of the USA Council of Serra International, and Monica Arredondo, president-elect of the Kansas City Serra Club North. Arredondo will guide participants through using an online resource kit for promoting vocations.

Peet said these efforts aim to create a supportive environment around religious vocations: “Peet said he hopes the workshop will help foster a ‘culture where vocation is a subject we talk about and where it’s seen as a good thing.’”

By the end of the session, each participant will develop a strategic plan tailored for their parish or organization.

Bev and Mike Knoop from St. Edward Church attended last year’s inaugural Ignite Workshop. They were motivated to join the St. Serra Club and begin a vocation ministry at their church after attending.

Since then, St. Edward Church has launched an “Adopt-a-Seminarian” program that connects parishioners with seminarians through prayer and correspondence such as letters and cards. Mike Knoop commented: “It lets them know they are not alone in the world; they have people and friends praying for them all the time.” Bev Knoop added that some parishioners want to continue supporting their assigned seminarian until ordination.

Mike Knoop also noted: “It’s a really good program. We’ve been blessed with cooperation from parishioners. They love the seminarians.”

Additionally, St. Edward participates in a “31 Club” initiative where individuals commit to praying for vocations on a designated day each month during Mass or before the Blessed Sacrament; up to 100 people have volunteered so far.

Dr. Holly Smith-Brooks leads St. Margaret Mary Church’s vocation committee along with parishioner Alex Willinger, who returned from last year’s Ignite Workshop energized about increasing vocation awareness efforts at their parish.

Smith-Brooks explained that prayers for those discerning vocations are included during Masses as well as weekly bulletins and newsletters sent out by both church and school staff such as Tara Mattingly—the children’s formation coordinator—who provides resources like prayers and activities encouraging students to appreciate clergy members’ roles.

St. John Paul II Church also reports progress with its own programs such as adopting seminarians through prayerful engagement via letters or care packages alongside participation in rosary prayers, eucharistic adoration sessions dedicated to vocations, and involvement in traveling chalice initiatives aimed at fostering vocational discernment among students.

To learn more about joining these efforts or participating in this year’s Ignite Workshop, interested parties can reach out directly to Chuck Lynch via phone or email.