On behalf of the Basilians, in honor of National Vocations Awareness week, please see the below message on the importance of encouraging our young men to consider Basilian Priesthood:

After more than 30 years, I remember the scene. . .

During my senior year in college at Christmas break, with no small amount of trepidation and with my heart in my throat, I decided to tell my mother my (what I thought was a) momentous occasion. There she was, washing a pot at the kitchen sink. “I think I’m going to join the Basilian Associate Program…”

Without missing a beat nor even raising her head, she replied, “Whatever makes you happy son.”

All parents want their children to be happy, just as our Heavenly Fathers desires us to experience joy.

This week is “National Vocations Awareness Week” when the American Church asks for prayer, awareness, promotion and support for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Certainly for the vast majority of Catholics, there is an enthusiastic, “Yes, that would be good” but with the implicit caveat of “but not my son/daughter.”

The untimely death of Fr. Kauffman sadly and quickly drives home a reality. There are not enough Basilians to be present in the way the Catholic Central community has become accustomed. Gone is the presence of a Basilian at all athletic functions, athletic awards ceremonies and other functions, and that lack will continue to be felt moving forward. To put it bluntly: everyone wants a Basilian there when they want one, but nobody wants their son to become a Basilian.

There are some sobering facts regarding Basilians:

1. Fr. Noelke ‘71 is the last graduate from CC to be ordained a Basilian.
2. CC has produced more vocations for dioceses than for the Congregation.
3. Fr. Fulton was the last Basilian teacher at CC and there are no Basilians engaged in classroom teaching at any of the three Basilian schools.
4. There are fewer than 100 Basilians throughout the world and two thirds are over the age of 65.

In the measure of the world, these are grim statistics. One may ask, “Why would I invite my son to join this endeavor?” It is a good question.

The historical story of the Basilian Fathers tells us that it is not numbers that make a difference - the dear Lord has kept us around in spite of persecution, oppression, hardship and droughts in vocations.

The greatest obstacle for vocations to the Basilian Fathers is the success our school enables.  Our society, and indeed our community, values “high achieving” culturally affirmed professions in medicine, finance, politics, entrepreneurship, industry and law to name a few money makers.

How often in our families around the dinner table do we talk about, encourage, or praise the value of being a Catholic school teacher (notoriously underpaid) or a Priest or Religious?  Parents want their children to be happy…yet don’t affirm the aforementioned vocations as a source of happiness.

Working for the Kingdom of God brings many sacrifices but even more joys. Please, if you value your children’s happiness and path to sanctity, encourage them to consider Religious life, the priesthood and the Basilian Fathers as a path to happiness, fulfillment, and ultimately eternal life.