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Welcome

​Welcome to the website for the Office of Priestly Vocations of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI. This year twenty-five men from our diocese will be in seminary formation programs in preparation for ordination, seven of whom are new to formation. Thirteen of these men are at St. John Vianney College Seminary and twelve are at USML/Mundelein Seminary.

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616-288-0910
360 Division Ave. S. Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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Exploring Priesthood Opportunities for 2024

Discernment is a time of obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding. If you are considering the priesthood the Diocese of Grand Rapids offers the following opportunities to discern God’s will for your life.

Discernment Group:  Gather with other young men (ages 16+). The last meeting of the 2023-2024 academic year will be held on Sunday, April 21 from 12:30-1:30 PM at St. Stephen Catholic Church located at 750 Gladstone Dr. S.E., East Grand Rapids, MI 49506.  Contact [email protected] for more information. Meetings will begin again in Sept. 2024.  Check back for updates.

Vianney Visit to Saint John Vianney College Seminary: Take a closer look at the priesthood by experiencing a few days in the life of a seminarian on the campus of Saint John Vianney College Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN from Nov. 14-16, 2024. Transportation, accommodations, and meals are provided at no cost. 

For the these opportunities or more information on discerning the priesthood, please contact the Office of Priestly Vocations at [email protected] or [email protected] or call 616-288-0910.

God bless our new Priests!

On June 4, 2022 the Diocese of Grand Rapids ordained three new men into the priesthood.  We are so blessed to celebrate Fr. David Jameson, Fr. David Sacha, and Fr. Logan Weber!

Welcome Fr. Christopher and Fr. Jake!

Diocese of Grand Rapids ordained Dcn. Christopher Epplett & Dcn. Jake Zemaitis to the priesthood on Sat. June 3rd.  May God continue to bless them as they begin their vocational ministry!

Transitional Diaconate Ordination 2023

Nick Baker was ordained to the diaconate on May 20, 2023.

Transitional Diaconate Ordination 2023
Nicholas Baker Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate
Seminarian Convocation

Last week our seminarians came together at their yearly convocation before the start of the fall semester in the seminary. We welcome new seminarians Casey Kreiner, Jonathan Jensen, Dominic Klaes, Jack McCarthy, Braden Roth, Alex Urbanski, Daniel Willison.  Bishop Walkowiak and Msgr. Duncan joined the seminarians to celebrate the Eucharist on the first evening. 

Vianney Visit - Annual visit to St. John Vianney College Seminary

Please pray for the group of young men that will be visiting Saint John Vianney College Seminary (SJV) in Saint Paul, Minnesota on November 17-19, 2022.

 It will be a weekend for them to experience the culture of SJV and learn about the life of the seminarians there. They will have the opportunity to hear from the rector, priests and seminarians of SJV. There will be time for prayer and recreation, and the joy of asking the Lord what he wants with their life.

Vianney Visit - Life in the Seminary

On November 18, 2021 Fr. Durkee took a group of young men that are discerning the priesthood to visit the St. John Vianney College Seminary on the  Campus of the University of St. Thomas.  These young men had a chance to spend a few days in the life of a seminarian and to talk to and ask questions to not only the seminarians from the Diocese of Grand Rapids but other seminarians that attend SJV.  This visit is a yearly event every November.  If you have an interest in 2022 please contact the Office of Priestly Vocations to inquire more. Discerners on bus to SJV SeminarySt. John Vianney Seminary Campus

2022-2023 Seminarians

“For the love of Christ, impel’s us.” 2 Corinthians 5:14

Transitional Diaconate Ordination

Congratulations to Third Year Theologians, Christopher Epplett and Jacob Zemaitis who were ordained transitional deacons on May 21st.Seminarian Christopher EpplettSeminarian Jacob Zemaitis

Priesthood Ordination of Noah Thelen

With great joy we congratulate newly ordained Father Noah Thelen.  Noah was ordained to the priesthood on June 5th 2021.

Click here to see photos from his ordination.

Watch Bishop Walkowiak’s Homily

Fr. Stephen's Scoreboard

Blog from the Office of Vocations

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