{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F54f50fff-903e-42de-b7f0-7eb150fe6e7f","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"Episode 15: Vocations with Fr. Craig Giera","description":"Encounter Grow Witness podcast breaks open the Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations. Starting this June 4th, the Archdiocese of Detroit will pray together for the men God is calling to serve us as priests. In preparation, your hosts Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny welcome Fr. Craig Giera, Director of Priestly Vocations. He shares what the diocesean priesthood is, how a young man can discern his vocation, and the path to the seminary. This episode closes with practical and powerful ideas for the laity to help support vocations to the priesthood. Take a listen! \r\n\n\n(00:04) Fr. Steve Pullis invites you to Encounter Grow Witness and welcomes his co-host Beth Spizarny. Men of the Hearts host, and Director of Priestly of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit, Fr. Craig Giera is welcomed onto the show. The hosts and guest discuss ideal summer vacations which include camping and backpacking. \r\n\n\n(06:30) \u201cWhat is a vocation director?\u201d Fr. Craig shares that his job is to walk with men to help them discern what God\u2019s plan is for him. \u201cIt\u2019s simple; what is God doing in prayer?\u201d Men ranging from high school to post-college contact Fr. Craig to discuss a possible priestly vocation. \u201cWhat do you look for in candidates?\u201d Prayerfulness. \u201cA man who is seeking truth will get in the habit of praying.\u201d And also a heart of service: are you engaged at your parish, or local ministry? \r\n\n\n(15:05) \u201cWhat\u2019s the difference between diocosean priesthood and a religious order?\u201d Fr. Craig explains that religious life is typically lived within a community , with a shared charism. Religious people take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As a diocosean priest, men make promises to the bishop, and typically live alone in the parish rectory. \u201cWhat are the steps to \r\n\n\n(16:10) \u201cWhat are the steps to joining the seminary?\u201d As Director of Priestly Vocations, Fr. Craig helps men discern if God is calling them to the priesthood. Beginning with interest to the process of applying to the seminary, Fr. Craig describes how a man would come to understand if God is calling him to discern the priesthood by joining the seminary. Fr. Craig tells us that there are no men being ordained to the priesthood this year; in 10 years there will be half the number of priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit. \r\n\n\n(25:00) The Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocation will begin at the Vigil of Pentecost, June 4th, the ordinary day for priestly ordinations for the Archdiocese of Detroit. A Holy Hour will be held to pray for courage and conviction for the men God is calling to be priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit. \r\n\n\n(28:50) \u201cThe Blessed Mother is the surest way to Jesus Christ.\u201d Fr. Craig shares practical ways to support priestly vocations. Fr. Craig notes that the Luminous Mysteries are a powerful way to pray for vocations. \u201cIt was the Blessed Mother who noticed that the wine ran out at the wedding at Cana. And she notices now that we need more priests.\u201d Detroitpriestlyvocations.com has many other practical suggestions to support priestly vocations. Thanks for listening.","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/2a0dfcc8-d50e-40bf-8d61-2044918c1af0/cover.jpg"}