A Lifetime of Discernment: Answering God’s vocational call brings joy to the Church

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo greets a group of newly ordained permanent deacons at a February Permanent Diaconate Ordination Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The permanent diaconate is one of several vocations in the Catholic Church supported by the Office of Vocations. (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)HOUSTON — Every person has a calling, a unique path created by God. Embracing that vocational call can bring deep joy and fulfillment, but it also requires courage, prayer and guidance along the way. 

In the Archdiocese, the Office of Vocations walks with men and women as they listen for God’s voice and discern His call for their lives, whether to the priesthood, religious life, marriage or the permanent diaconate. The ministry provides tools, programs and personal accompaniment to help individuals discover their God-given vocation, offering prayerful guidance and mentorship to respond to Christ’s invitation with faith and courage. 

Father Richard McNeillie, director of the Office of Vocations, said the ministry’s vision is for everyone in the Archdiocese to discern their vocation. While this is especially applicable to youth and young adults who are actively making life decisions, the invitation is open to all the faithful. 

Father McNeillie said the Vocations Office provides discerners with the resources they need through school and parish presentations, retreats and other opportunities. The ministry also supports families, pastors and ministry leaders who accompany them, as well as men in formation for the priesthood in the Archdiocese.  

“To discern one’s vocation is countercultural,” said Father McNeillie. “Most influences in our environment push us toward self-service — to get what we want, to do what looks good to us, to make a lot of money or have personal pleasure and entertainment.” 

He said that for young people, this environment can make it difficult to hear God’s voice. One of the greatest challenges is helping them recognize the importance of seeking God’s will above all else. Despite these challenges, Father McNeillie said the most meaningful moments are when discerners take the risk and choose to follow the Lord. 

“I’m really ecstatic at every ordination, and I’ve seen people I worked with for years finally reach God’s goal for their life to be a priest,” said Father McNeillie. “Sometimes, we have other discerners, men and women, who go in different directions. To see them finally make it to the altar, whether in marriage, religious life or the priesthood, is just a great day.” 

Among those serving in this mission is Joelma Regis, associate director of Vocations, who has been with the Archdiocese for about seven years. As a consecrated member of the Work of Mary, also known as the Focolare Movement, she assists women discerning their vocational call through encouragement, spiritual direction and a steady presence as they seek God’s will. 

“When I was hired, I was asked to help young women discern their call, since there are so many religious communities and orders,” Regis said. “I was asked to accompany them on that journey, and it is beautiful to see God’s work in their lives.”  

The Vocations Office offers several programs for young women in discernment, including a four-month formation program, a 10-day summer experience in Galveston that introduces participants to community life, and Marian Dinners where sisters from different religious orders share their experiences with high school girls. The ministry also hosts a day-long retreat around Valentine’s Day, offering prayer and conversations with sisters. 

Regis said many young women who have come through the Vocations Office have been deeply impacted through these programs, especially the retreats. Some have entered convents and are now living their religious vocation; others are still discerning, and some have married after seeking guidance. She said each path is different, but all are centered on discovering where God is calling them. 

“It’s about finding their family, the future family they will spend the rest of their life with,” said Regis. “Most importantly, we teach them to listen to God’s voice more closely because there are so many other voices in the world, which seem to offer so much to young people.” 

Regis said many begin to realize that everyone looks for happiness and fulfillment, but only God can provide it. The ministry, she said, serves as an instrument to help them recognize the path that God has planned for their lives. 

Supporting the ministry is the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), which makes its mission possible, as well as 60-plus additional ministries in the Archdiocese. Father McNeillie said that support from the Diocesan Services Fund is essential to every aspect of the ministry’s outreach and formation efforts. 

“DSF provides the foundation for our work, covering staff salaries, programs and scholarships so discerners can participate without financial burden,” said Father McNeillie. “It’s often in the background, but it’s the base on which everything else is built.” 

He said the generosity of the faithful makes their work with lifelong discerners possible through their donations, prayers and the commitment of volunteers and parish leaders who walk with those discerning God’s call. 

For Regis, that generosity makes her mission possible as she lives her consecration in service to the Church, helping women discern their call and supporting those in religious life who dedicate their lives fully to the Church. 

“I am one of those consecrated women, and my life is for the Church,” said Regis. “I want to see a future Church filled with priests, consecrated women and religious sisters. That is my dream, and I’m passionate about working for this mission.” 

To learn more about the Office of Vocations, visit houstonvocations.com. To contribute to the 2025 Annual DSF Appeal, which supports over 60 other ministries requiring critical funding, visit archgh.org/dsf. Every dollar donated to DSF directly supports these vital ministries. Each provides direct service or education to those in need.