From the Director
I am grateful to Bishop Duca for appointing me as Director of Church Vocations for our diocese, effective August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I want to do all that I can to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, most especially for this diocese. I ask your prayers that the Lord will illuminate the hearts of those He has chosen, as well as your prayers for me that I may be faithful in carrying out this important work.
I thank John Mark Willcox for all he has done as director of this office for these last several years. He did many good things for the diocese and I appreciate all the efforts he has put into vocations ministry, ending his term with two new seminarians being accepted by the bishop and the vocations board this past summer. John Mark will do fine and effective work in the stewardship and development office.
Vocations should be the concern of every Catholic. Each person must do what he can, whether it be regular, daily, and fervent prayers and sacrifices for good and holy priests and religious; membership and leadership in parish vocation committees; encouraging young people to consider priesthood, sisterhood, and brotherhood; being an active member of the Serra Club; or any other needed work so that our Diocese of Shreveport may have sufficient priests and religious in an area much in need of them to take the places of our aging clergy.
Thank you for all you can do to bring needed priests and religious to our diocese!
Fr. David Richter
Director of Vocations and Vicar General
2008 Diocese of Shreveport