In the opening to Pope Francis’ proclamation of the Jubilee Year, he states his desire that “the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope” (Spes Non Confundit, 1).

It can be very easy to become cynical or pessimistic, perhaps too easy, and Pope Francis acknowledges that in the proclamation. Yet Christ is our hope and He is always present and always at work. And as part of that, we also “need to recognize the immense goodness present in our world” (Spes Non Confudit, 7) and, I would add, in our local church here in Vermont.

In that light, I think of the men and women in our Diocesan Lay Formation Program, as well as the previous three graduating classes, since the program was restarted in 2017. These men and women who responded to a prompting from the Holy Spirit and gave two years of their time to growing in their knowledge of theology, practice of prayer, pastoral ministry skills, and ongoing formation. This is all so that they can become ever more fully and effective disciples of Jesus Christ, or to use Pope Francis’ term “missionary disciples” serving their parishes and communities. The fact that nearly half of our current class is in their 20s and 30s gives me even more hope for the future. All of these men and women never cease to impress me and give me hope.

I think of the men and women in our Spiritual Direction Training Program who have responded to the Lord’s invitation to meet this need in our diocese. They came with their already well-developed faith lives and sought to gain the skills to affectively help other men and women grow in their relationship with the Lord through the ministry of spiritual direction. Watching the growth take place in these students has been a beautiful thing to behold and gives me hope, especially in what they will do in our diocese going forward.

I think of our parish office staffs, those who answer the phone, help people plan weddings, baptisms, funerals, and who often serve as the “face of the parish.” As Most Holy Name of Jesus parish states on their weekly bulletin cover: “We want to be here for you. In the joyful times of life as in the struggles, never hesitate to contact us so that we may be of assistance to you.” That spirit of welcome and accompaniment, lived out by our parish office staffs, gives me hope.

I think of our parish catechetical leaders, youth ministers, catechists, Totus Tuus missionaries and Steubenville Conference leaders who so faithfully seek to pass on the riches of our faith to our young people. I’m told that our diocese was the largest group at last year’s Steubenville East Conference! I was recently visiting a parish on a Sunday morning and I was struck by the big smiles on the teacher’s faces as the students were about to begin class. They radiated the warmth and love of Christ. Our young people and those who minister to them give me hope.

I think of our priests. One of the blessings of traveling around the diocese for weekend Masses over these last number of years was the individual time I had to spend with our priests. We’d frequently have dinner together after the Saturday Vigil Mass and I would be privileged to hear their own story of how the Lord called them to the priesthood. Their response to the Lord’s invitation and their ongoing selfless lives of service and love for the people entrusted to them give me hope.

I think of our consecrated religious in the diocese. The sisters at our recently elevated Benedictine Abbey in Westfield, especially their prayers for our local church, remain an incredible gift and font of grace. I also think of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist who have been such a joyful and active presence in our diocese since their arrival in 2018. The beautiful witness of these religious gives me hope.

I think of my beloved brother deacons who often serve behind the scenes in so many ministries, but through their presence are often pillars of their parishes and an effective bridge between the Church and the world. When I was ordained eight years ago, I reflected that I had just gained some 43 “big brothers”! Their example continues to both inspire me and give me hope.

Finally, I think of the Holy Hour that is offered every Thursday morning at the Diocesan Office Chapel from 8:30-9:30 a.m. with a particular intention for our bishop and the diocese. This began while we were prayerfully awaiting the appointment of a new bishop and has continued since. Our hope comes from Christ. Spending that weekly hour with Him and praying for our diocese gives me hope.

Simply reflecting on these particular aspects, and there are certainly many more, is itself an opportunity, per Pope Francis, “to be renewed in hope.”

— Originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of  Vermont Catholic magazine.