Every vocation begins with an invitation from God and a heart willing to listen. In 2024, Bishop Robert Gruss challenged the Diocese of Saginaw to deepen its commitment to fostering priestly vocations through prayer, accompaniment, and intentional outreach. Grounded in the themes of Beg, Form, and Call, the effort seeks to create a culture where young men can more readily hear the voice of Christ and courageously discern where He is leading them.  

As part of the Beg mission, the faithful throughout the Diocese started intentionally praying the Memorare, urgently seeking the intercession of the Virgin Mary for increased vocations.

Father Andy LaFramboise, director of priestly vocations, intensified his efforts to accompany men discerning the priesthood. Through personal outreach, discernment opportunities, parish visits, retreats, and one-on-one conversations, he has worked to help young men listen more closely to the voice of Christ.

So far, it has worked, as the Diocese currently has four seminarians and plans for five more men entering seminary in the Fall.

But there is still much to do to meet Bishop’s goal of 20 men in seminary by the year 2030.

In addition to more Holy Hours for vocations and “Come and See” dinners, the diocese Office of Vocations has partnered with Vianney Vocations, a national organization which helps with tactics and resources for local dioceses.

Working together, Fr. Andy and representatives from Vianney Vocations developed a comprehensive vocations plan, which includes: renewed prayer, a new vocations team, a Called by Name campaign, new discernment events, regional discernment groups, personal accompaniment for those discerning and widespread communications.

Father Andy says, “The Holy Spirit is at work. I meet with more men than I used to. Men are eager to discover God’s plan for their life.”

The Diocese Vocations Team

While the responsibility to help foster vocations lies with every Catholic at every parish, a recently formed vocations team works in cooperation with Fr. Andy LaFramboise, director of priestly vocations and rector of the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption Parish, and focuses on strategy and guiding young men who discern the priesthood.

The vocations team includes Fr. Andy Booms, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant; Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera, pastor of All Saints Parish in Bay City; Fr. Nick Coffaro, pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Bay City; Fr. Matthew Gembrowski, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish and St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant; and Fr. Kevin Wojciechowski, pastor of Holy Name of Mary Parish in Harbor Beach.

If you - or a young man you know – have questions or want information about discerning the priesthood, any vocations team member can help.

How You Can Help

Fostering vocations is the work of the entire Church. While prayer remains the foundation, supporting those who are discerning God's call also requires practical resources.

To help meet this need, parishes throughout the Diocese of Saginaw will take up a special collection on the weekend of Aug. 1-2, 2026. The collection coincides with the feast of St. John Vianney on Aug. 4, the patron saint of parish priests and confessors.

Contributions from the collection will support vocation outreach and discernment efforts across the diocese, while also helping to offset the educational and formation expenses of seminarians preparing for priestly ministry.

Although the Diocese of Saginaw's annual Bishop's Golf Outing and Dinner Auction provides great support for seminarian education, this special collection offers every member of the faithful an opportunity to participate directly in fostering vocations.

Currently the special collection supports the following vocations discernment activities:

• Called by Name – An initiative where parishioners throughout the Diocese are invited to submit names of faithful young Catholics they believe may have interest in vocations. Each person receives a letter from Bishop Gruss, and vocation team members set up one-on-one meetings and invite them to discernment events. Follow up is the key. One such discernment opportunity is the Melchizedek Project, a six-week program that brings together young men from parishes, high schools, and colleges for prayer, fellowship, and honest conversations about the priesthood, helping them listen more closely to God’s call.
• Quo Vadis Camp – A three-day vocational discernment retreat for high school-aged young men. This summer is the fourth year that the Diocese of Saginaw is partnering with the Diocese of Gaylord to offer opportunities to encounter Christ through Mass, adoration and talks from priests and seminarians. They also enjoy high-energy outdoor games and water sports; and grow in faith with other teenagers.
• Holy Hours for Vocations – An opportunity to spend time in Eucharistic adoration, intercessory prayer for vocations and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Come and See Dinners –Young men and their parents can share a meal, listen to a presentation by Bishop and priests, and ask questions.
• Resources and communications – A specialized website, www.saginawvocations.org, offers information about discernment, the seminary, overcoming fear of exploring a vocation and answers to questions for parents, teachers and parish leaders.