in the Diocese of Lansing

Interested in the priesthood or religious life? Go to the Diocese of Lansing Department of Formation

2002 Ordination Issue
My Life as a Priest: Interviews with 2 long-time pastors and Bishop Mengeling.
Parenting Priests: The MacDonalds have two priests sons
Ordination 2002: A doctor and a lawyer become priests.

• Pope's Address Focusing on Vocations Crisis (March 4, 2002)
• Vocations Congress - Reflections by Bishop Mengeling (Jan. 12, 2002)
• Vocations Document Seems to Ignore Successes in North America: Montreal Summit Planned for April - Zenit.org (Jan 7, 2002)

Ordination 2001
Bishop Carl F. Mengeling ordained six men at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing, on June 9, 2001.

Vocation Congress Looks to the Future of Religious Life

LANSING (The Catholic Times) -

Adrian Dominican Sisters kick off Advertising Campaign.

For Anthony Strouse the decision to enter the seminary hasn't been a hard one. In fact, the Lansing Catholic Central High School senior said his decision-making process began with friends telling him he would make a good priest.

However, Strouse is one of a minority devoting themselves to religious life. The dwindling vocation

numbers have become alarming. So much so the Diocese of Lansing, along with dioceses across the nation, are holding Vocation Congresses to determine what can be done to encourage vocations among young people.

"This is crucial," said Lansing Bishop Carl F. Mengeling as more than 200 gathered at Lansing Catholic Central High School. "Without vocations the Church can not go on."

Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist The five-year old, rapidly growing community in Ann Arbor has recently been granted the official title "Dominican."

The group, consisting of clergy, religious education leaders, parish staffs and parishioners, answered questions ranging from obstacles one faces when considering a consecrated life or ordained ministry to coming up with ideas to encourage vocations.

Bishop Mengeling said the road to a vocation begins with a seed, a seed which everyone is responsible for planting.

"You and I are gathered here today because we have to be believers," said Bishop Mengeling. "The people in my home parish had no idea they were making a difference in my life. Look at me now. We have to be believers that God is at work here."

- Erin Oakley