November 19, 2025

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

The response to the diocesan “Called by Name” initiative has exceeded expectations, and it’s not done yet!

“We were hoping to get 75 to 100 names,” said Deacon Garry Stevens, diocesan Vocations coordinator. “We garnered 150 names from across the diocese, and some parishes have not yet reported back. They’re still filtering in. It exceeded what we hoped for.”

The initiative, like those conducted in other New York dioceses, asked parishioners to submit the names of individuals they think have characteristics that would make them a good priest, deacon or consecrated religious.
“Some people received multiple nominations – one guy might be nominated four or five times, for example,” said Deacon Stevens. “But we had 150 individuals named.”

Individuals who were nominated each received a letter from his or her pastor congratulating them on being nominated and a letter from diocesan Vocations Director Father Christopher C. Carrara inviting them to one of three discernment events.

The first event was held Nov. 16 in Lowville. The second will be Nov. 23 in Morrisonville, and the third will be Nov. 30 in Norfolk.

“Bishop (Terry R.) LaValley also sent letters to the seniors who attended Camp Guggenheim last year and the youth who attended the Leadership Weekend inviting them to the discernment events,” said Deacon Stevens. The first two events – the one in Lowville and the one in Morrisonville – will be for men who were nominated as individuals who would make good priests and good deacons. The third event will also include women nominated for consecrated religious life.”

Deacon Stevens said most of the nominations received nominated men.

“They were pretty well divided between the priesthood and the diaconate,” he said. “There was a smaller percentage for consecrated life,” he said.

High school aged individuals invited to attend the discernment event can attend with parents, while those nominated as potential deacons can attend with their wives.

All the discernment events will include adoration, discussion about discernment, remarks from Bishop LaValley and breakout sessions specific to the individual vocations.

“We have a good roster of clergy attending each event,” Deacon Stevens said. “We have parents of seminarians attending and wives of deacons, and they’ll share their stories, as well.”

Deacon Stevens said he anticipates future discernment events will be planned if it’s determined there’s need based on additional nominations or the discussions at the currently planned events.

He also noted that there will be an additional discernment opportunity for men of high school and college ages from around the state at the New York State Discernment Retreat from Jan. 8 to Jan. 10 at the Good News Center in Utica.

A weekend of reflection for those discerning is also planned for March 6-7 at Wadhams Hall for high-school-aged men.

“We’re working on that event with (Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry) Patrick Looby,” said Deacon Stevens. “He’s helping us put together the program.”

Deacon Stevens noted that all the programs have been conducted with support from other diocesan offices.

“(Information Technology) has been super in helping with the logistics and registrations and spreadsheets,” he said. “And we had good participation from our parishes. A lot of good questions were asked about what we were trying to achieve and how to best participate, and the parishes have been very good in their follow-up.”