Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

Father Zach Samples has taken on the role of Promoter of Vocations for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois as of August. His appointment comes ahead of National Vocation Awareness Week, which will be observed November 2-8, 2025. The week is an annual initiative in the United States aimed at promoting vocations within the Catholic Church.

In an interview with Catholic Times Editor Andrew Hansen, Father Samples described his responsibilities: "Basically, I get to travel across the diocese to share my love of the priesthood with folks involved in our parishes and schools. When I visit our parishes and schools, I speak about what it means to discern our vocations and work to promote the different states of life available in our Church. My main focus in this role is to accompany men in our diocese as they discern God’s will for their lives and to invite them to consider diocesan priesthood as part of that process. My campus minister in college used to say that we should always be discerning what 'our next good step' is. So, I’m here to walk with people as they are considering what their next good step should be. This might mean exploring a call to holy matrimony, consecrated religious life, or to the priesthood."

Addressing misconceptions about vocations, Father Samples said: "The biggest misconception is the belief that we are in charge of our futures. From the moment we can speak, we are asked the question, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' When we answer that question, the first word that comes out of our mouth is, 'I.' So, that means, that since the moment we could speak, we are trained to only think about what 'I' want when it comes to our futures. Now, we are not robots, and God is not controlling us with some sort of divine joystick from Heaven. At the same time, if God is perfect, and He is, and if He desires our happiness, holiness, and for us to join Him in eternal life, and He does, then He has a path for us to follow to accomplish that. That is where our vocations come into play."

When discussing challenges faced by young people considering a vocation within the Church today he explained: "This really varies from person to person. For some, they might feel a call to priesthood or religious life but are also in a very serious relationship with someone they truly love. For others, they might be confident that Jesus desires for them to be His priest but their parents and loved ones are not supportive and might even actively oppose their discernment. Still for others there are sometimes education, financial psychological and cultural barriers that prevent them from being free to discern God’s will. The key here is that none of these valid concerns have to be roadblocks. If God is truly calling you to a vocation in the Church all of these can be worked out. I’m happy to help in any way I can."

Reflecting on those who influenced his own vocational journey Father Samples shared: "The first priest to ever talk to me about priesthood was a newly ordained priest at my home parish when I was in fourth grade. Every time I would serve at Mass he would say 'Zach you should be a priest.' I usually just ignored him because this was not what 'I' wanted (see my answer #2) but it at least planted a seed... Then when I got college I met Fathers John Titus Chris House Brian Alford Steve Arisman and others... Each helped me see that priesthood could really be possible... Aside from them prayer growing in relationship with Christ going on retreats and mission trips seeing Pope Francis in Philadelphia some amazing supportive friends and so much more helped me realize my call."

On supporting young people who may feel called Father Samples stated: "The reality is priests are not dropped off on front porch parish rectories by some sort divine stork... They come from families parishes every corner diocese... Anyone reading this Q&A right now could have future priest or consecrated religious sister brother sitting around dinner table or pew local parishes... The key is accepting supportive encouraging young men women... God loves us more than any us ever could... Because true He would never call state life did not possibility bringing true lasting peace."

For those unsure about their calling he advised: "The first step would be not ignore it... First Kings tells us God often speaks us 'still small voice.' This true vocational discernment... Bishop (Thomas John) Paprocki often jokes it would nice if God called cell phones tell plan lives but doesn’t happen Instead speaks stirrings heart Prayer all about developing relationship — friendship — Jesus Christ The more pray more His will lives becomes clear If feeling stirring heart don’t ignore take prayer then discuss trusted priest your life"

He also recommended practices for discernment: "There no ‘one size fits all’ approach developing prayer life That said forms types prayer can extraordinarily helpful discern call Eucharistic adoration probably top list Sitting quiet prayer face-to-face Jesus Blessed Sacrament one best ways grow relationship Him Our callings come relationship Closer easier becomes hear His Developing devotion Blessed Mother another key way discern As Mary said wedding feast Cana ‘Do whatever He tells you.’ That pretty much sums up"

Speaking about what brings him hope Father Samples recounted: "A month or two ago had meeting man actively discerning call priesthood He many discussions been working together things inhibiting freedom actively discern God’s will This young man made incredible progress grown relationship Christ just see barriers fall one by one It so clear Holy Spirit guiding chapter his life The fun part this story unique God does all just have find way acknowledge We all this Christ His Church What could more hopeful What could more joyful"

National Vocation Awareness Week highlights efforts like those led by Father Samples across dioceses nationwide.