Could Your Prayer Today Change Someone's Vocation Tomorrow?

What if your prayer for vocations today could change the trajectory of a young person's life in the future? For Father Dan Stump, that isn't just a hypothetical, it is his story. "I first encountered God's call to the priesthood at a very young age. I must have been around 8 years old," Father Dan shared. "There are even pictures of me dressed as the Pope for Halloween. That being said, I was 27 when I finally had the courage to apply to seminary."

Along that journey, countless faithful Catholics prayed that young men like Father Dan would respond to God's call. Many of those prayers came through the work of Serra International, a worldwide Catholic lay organization dedicated to fostering vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.

"Priests are the hands of Christ on earth," Haake says. "That's why it's so important for us to pray for our priests, for those discerning a vocation, and for an increase in vocations."

Here at St. Thomas More Parish, Jerry Haake has been a faithful member of Serra International since November of 1982. Through his involvement with Serra International it led him to faithfully lead our Vocation Ministry Team, but his commitment reaches far beyond our parish.

His passion for promoting vocations led him directly to Bishop Johnston. Since that first conversation, Jerry has become the chair of the Diocese's “Called Committee,” where members of Serra International and the Knights of Columbus work together to establish Vocation Ministry Teams in every parish throughout the Diocese of St. Joseph–Kansas City.

The Church's future depends on men and women who courageously answer God's call and on faithful people who pray for them every day. Thank you to everyone who has committed to praying for vocations during our Club 31 campaign this July. Your prayers matter more than you may ever know.

If you would like to continue supporting this important ministry, consider joining the St. Thomas More Vocation Ministry Team and give thanks to Father Matt and Father Stump who faithfully serve our parish and the Diocese of St. Joseph–Kansas City.