My dear family in Christ, 

When I was ordained a priest in 1989, I was one of 120 active priests of the Diocese of Burlington. I was blessed to serve seven years as a parochial vicar working with two extraordinary pastors (Msgr. Wendell Searles and Msgr. John McSweeney) before taking on my first pastorate in Middlebury. At this same time, we had numerous parishes with two or three priests serving the pastoral needs of more than 120,000 Catholics in Vermont and the nearly 40,000 Catholics who attended Sunday Mass weekly. In this same year, almost 2,100 infants were reborn in the waters of baptism in our parishes. Finally, we had more than a dozen men in formation for priestly ordination. Things are very different in 2025. 

We now have only 35 diocesan priests in active ministry. Were it not for the priests from abroad and religious orders, we would be facing an even more dire pastoral situation. Presently, we count less than 100,000 Vermonters as Catholic, and the number is likely much lower than that. On the average weekend, less than 15,000 Catholics are attending Sunday Mass. In 2024, only 330 infants were baptized, and we now have only three men in seminary formation. While I could spend a great deal of time on the reasons for all these declines, I would like to offer a few thoughts on the decline in priestly vocations in the Diocese of Burlington. 

First, I would be foolish to ignore the fact that the number of vocations has declined in Vermont because of the serious failure in the lives of some priests. The abuse scandal which erupted in 2002 continues to be a significant obstacle for many to consider a priestly vocation. Despite the faithfulness of the vast majority of priests throughout the history of our diocese, the immoral and criminal behavior of some priests in the past has cast a pall on the priesthood as a whole. Young men may not be willing to dedicate their lives to a vocation that has been so devastated. We have taken great strides in providing safe environments in our churches and schools and I pray these efforts will help men realize that the priesthood is a life of service for others in imitation of Christ. 

Next, apart from the abuse crisis, I sometimes wonder if priests have not been as proactive as we should be in promoting vocations. Perhaps out of fear of appearing pushy or overbearing, we have not shared our vocational good news enough. As a first step in remedying this failure, this weekend, when we hear the call of St. Peter from the Gospel of Luke, I have asked the priests of the diocese to preach a homily on the priesthood, and more specifically, to share why they find joy in their life as a priest. Priests must radiate a joyful spirit in our daily lives if they expect to promote vocations. I would propose that this joy is the result of a robust prayer life and a willingness to sacrifice for those we serve. I have asked the priests in Vermont to dedicate themselves to a deeper life of prayer and sacrifice and I pray that this will result in an increase in priestly vocations. 

Finally, I believe that we have experienced a decrease in priestly vocations because families and friends have not been as supportive as they could be to encourage men to consider the possibility of priesthood. Over the years it has saddened me to hear people say things like “do you really want to waste your life?”, “what about children or grandchildren?”, “you’ll be so lonely!” While statements like these may be rooted in a genuine concern for the young man thinking about the priesthood, they have the effect of making the priesthood appear as a life of misery and despair. The priesthood is never a waste, it is an honor and a blessing. Does it have challenges? Undoubtedly! Is it a life that should be pitied? Never! I shared the following thought with our priests about this at Presbyteral Days: we should never apologize for being a Catholic and a never apologize for being a priest. 

We need to remember what a priest is and what he does. He intercedes in prayer on behalf of his people. He offers the sacrifice of the Mass and celebrates the other Sacraments for those in need of grace. He becomes a father to the entire family of faith. He shares the joy of family life in the birth and baptism of an infant. He shares the mercy of God in confession. He provides comfort and consolation in the death of our loved ones. He offers his life in service for his flock. He does this and so much more as he lives “in persona Christi,” in the person of Christ, so that parishioners have access to the gifts that only Christ can provide. 

I close with a letter I received from a family friend after my birth in 1963. I shared these words at my episcopal ordination: 

Dear John Joseph, 

God brought you to a wonderful mother, father, brothers and sisters, and don’t ever forget that your welcome arrival was St. Joseph’s Feast Day. 

We love and cannot survive without girls. God bless them. But we always need men, Good Men, to fill the space left by Good Men and continue belief in God and further enhance love. 

You are too young now to understand – but you will attain a knowing and understanding age when I implore you to consider the above because this world will need you desperately, and I know you will not let me down. 

In the meantime be a good boy, obedient, cooperative and loving. 

It is grand to have you aboard the ship of Life. God bless you always. 

Your friend, 

Joseph L. Shea 

Mr. Shea did what we all must do regarding vocations, invite, encourage and support those discerning. Please understand that I know that not every young man is called to be a priest, but I believe that the Lord is calling young men in Vermont, and it is the responsibility of priests, families, and friends, not to dissuade them, but to encourage them to consider the call with our support and prayers. 

God alone suffices! 

+John J. McDermott