By Father Garrett Nelson, Director of Vocations
With one year under my belt as Director of Vocations, I have certainly learned a lot. I preach very often about trusting in God and that He calls each individual by name to the Vocation whereby that person will be in the best position to become a Saint. But this year has certainly been an exercise in trust and humility, learning how trying it can be when God calls young men to the priesthood and young women to religious life. Human freedom is certainly a factor that comes into account and cannot be forgotten. The anxiety of wondering whether or not someone is going to pursue a religious vocation was not something that I was anticipating when I stepped into this office, but God has shown that He is incredibly generous, and that he will not leave us orphans (cf. Jn. 14:18).
It is with great joy that I am able to say that we will have not one, not two, but four men in formation for the priesthood in our diocese this year! God has certainly been generous with us, and we are so grateful to the men who have heard the call to take up their cross and follow the Lord, leaving everything behind to be the channels through which His Sanctifying Grace enters the world.
John Pankratz
John Pankratz hails from St. Pius X parish in Billings, and will be continuing his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. God willing, he will be ordained a priest in 2021.
Anthony Zilch
Anthony Zilch has returned to his studies for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He is beginning his second year of studying Theology, and is slated for ordination in 2020.
Eric Nanneman
Eric Nanneman is new to the diocese. He is from Phoenix Arizona, and he is on a pastoral year—spending a year in various parishes throughout the diocese and preparing to begin theological studies in the fall. God willing, he will be a priest in 2022.
Joseph Greer
Joseph Greer from Sacred Heart Parish in Miles City, is beginning a spirituality year, which is a preparatory year of study and prayer to prepare him for entrance into formal seminary training. This year he will be taking classes at Miles Community College in Miles City while undergoing a rigorous schedule of prayer and study of the Catechism. If all goes according to plan, and if God wills it, Joseph will be ordained in 2027.
It is such a joy that God has given us these courageous men who are willing to be selfless and give up their lives for the good of the Church. Be Saints, men.
This year, in accord with the diocesan pastoral plan, the Vocations office has some very exciting plans. Last year, with the help of Mrs. Brenda Pankratz and several other volunteers, we produced our annual vocations poster. This year we will be doing that again, and we will be adding another poster for women from our diocese who are discerning religious life! Unfortunately, that crucial part of the Church’s life is often neglected, and it is our hope to show that such a wonderful witness of choosing Christ one’s spouse can be found even among our own parishes here in Eastern Montana.
I am also planning on organizing discernment retreats for both men and women—bringing in priests and religious from our diocese and beyond—to speak to our youth about their own journeys of discernment and acceptance of God’s call in their lives.
All in all, the landscape of vocations in our diocese is full of hope, and I look forward to the coming years of working with both men and women as they seek come to realize that nothing in this world satisfies—only God, and He alone.
Please help us continue