GAYLORD — Parishes and Knights of Columbus councils throughout the Diocese of Gaylord are getting a vocations poster featuring the diocese’s 10 seminarians.
This year’s poster continues the theme of being “Fishers of Men.” It encourages people to “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4) and to “Pray for vocations and the seminarians of the Diocese of Gaylord.” The poster features photos of each of the current seminarians preparing for priesthood for the diocese set against a backdrop of a fishing net.
The seminarians are Joseph Ortega of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Petoskey, who is studying at St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.; Peter Wigton of Holy Rosary Parish in Cedar, Bryan Medlin of the Catholic Community of Manistee, Will MacMaster of St. Anne, Parish in Harrisville, Chris Jarvis of Holy Rosary Parish in Cedar, Tyler Bischoff of Holy Family Parish in East Tawas, Michael Wigton of Holy Rosary Parish in Cedar and Sean Farkas of Immaculate Conception, Parish in Traverse City, all of whom are studying at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio; Matt Cowan of Cross in the Woods National Shrine in Indian River, who has begun his theological studies at Pontifical North American College in Rome having graduated with his bachelor’s degree this spring from Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus; and Chet Collins of St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord, who is attending Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis.
“We were pleased to see the number of seminarians for the Gaylord Diocese increase to 10 as we entered the current fall semester,” said Fr. Don Geyman, director of vocations. “This is a sign of a renewed vocations awareness in the diocese, and of the effort and prayer of so many of the faithful.”
The home parish of each seminarian is also noted on the poster. Men who have found their call has brought them to northern lower Michigan from other areas are assigned a home parish within the Diocese of Gaylord.
“More than the numbers, we are excited about the quality of the men. They are enthusiastic, joyful, and committed to generous service in the vineyard of the Lord,” Fr. Geyman said. “And while we are happy to have two wonderful men from other places, we are especially pleased that eight of the ten seminarians are from our own diocese. That is a welcome development and another sign of God’s bounty.”
Features on each of the seminarian will appear in future issues of the Catholic Weekly. Brief biographical background information on each of the men preparing for priesthood for the Diocese of Gaylord, as well as additional information regarding vocations, is available on the diocesan website at www.dioceseofgaylord.org. Individuals who are discerning whether they are called to priesthood or religious life, as well as those who are interested in getting involved with vocations efforts are also invited to call Fr. Geyman at (989) 732-5147.