Seekers group in Sierra Vista helps promote vocations

By Carissa Krautscheid 
 
On a recent Thursday night, nine young men gathered for evening prayer. Their purpose? To support one another in discerning God’s call for their vocation. 
 
Simply known as the Seekers, this group is a collaborative effort between St. Andrew the Apostle and Our Lady of the Mountains Parishes in Sierra Vista. All single men who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood are invited to attend these monthly gatherings of prayer, discernment, and fellowship. Participants range in age from middle and high schoolers to college students, young adults, and even second-career discerners. 
 
What is entailed? First, the Seekers said evening prayer in St. Andrew’s Divine Mercy Chapel alongside six priests and a deacon. Then, they ate dinner together in the rectory and socialized. They normally reflect on a presentation, hear vocation stories from various priests, and partake in discussion about discerning the priesthood. 
 
This summer gathering was unique, however, because of the attendance of Bishop Edward Weisenburger. In the casual garden setting of the rectory’s patio, Bishop Weisenburger shared his own vocation journey and told stories that even the priests hadn’t heard before. Bishop’s experiences and advice generated questions and a lively discussion with the Seekers. 
 
The Seekers were “respectful and engaged,” said Father Mike Martinez, pastor of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish. “Bishop made them feel really comfortable and shared both lighthearted and deeper things. The Seekers were encouraged; bishop’s visit gave them a lift to help them on their journey.” 
 
The initiative began in 2020 when Bishop Weisenburger commissioned pastors to ‘just do something’ to promote vocations. Priests brainstormed ideas for vicariates, which are regions of a diocese. This one is geared toward the Cochise Vicariate which encompasses much of southeastern Arizona. Father Greg Adolf, pastor at St. Andrew, came up with a simple idea: invite people, pray, eat, and talk. Father Mike and Deacon Bill Polakowski, the youth minister at St. Andrew, now spearhead what has become the Seekers group. “Fr. Mike and Deacon Bill have set up a wonderful program for the young men of both parishes who express an interest in talking about a vocation to the priesthood,” said Fr. Greg. 

While many parishes are now forming Vocation Ministry teams, after being trained by Rhonda Gruenewald this summer, the Cochise Vicariate has been promoting vocations since bishop’s commission three years ago. Other simple yet impactful initiatives include vocations-related bulletin announcements, intentions in the Prayers of the Faithful at all Masses, and a joint-committee of parishioners at Our Lady of the Mountains and St. Andrew Parishes that promotes all Holy Vocations including consecrated life and matrimony. These efforts are now supplemented by Vocation Ministry. 
 
The Seekers gatherings began in Spring 2021, with attendance ranging between 9-18 discerning men. “When the Knights of Columbus found out we were meeting with discerners, the knights offered to pay for the meals,” said Fr. Mike. “Both Councils in Sierra Vista take turns because knights support vocations!” 
 
Trusting relationships are formed when priests, deacons, and youth ministers connect with discerners every single week at Mass and youth group. Fr. Mike says it’s important to “be involved in the lives of these young men who are considering the priesthood.” To discerners, Fr. Mike invites, “Get to know us! We’re priests but we’re also normal people too.” 
 
Given Sierra Vista’s history of vocations initiatives, it’s not surprising that they have so many discerners. In April 2023, the Diocese of Tucson’s Vocation Office hosted a day-retreat for men discerning the priesthood. More than half of the attendees were from Sierra Vista. 
 
Fr. Greg, Fr. Mike, and Deacon Bill encourage other parishes or vicariates to ‘just do something.’ They offer their perspectives to other leaders who are interested in starting something like the Seekers group, though “it’s not one size fits all,” said Fr. Mike. 
 
When it comes to promoting Holy Vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and matrimony, we are all called to ‘just do something.’