“Called by Name” – From India to Saginaw: Serving the Lord’s People
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’
And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’” — Isaiah 6:8
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Without priests, we cannot have the Eucharist. It’s that simple—and that profound. The Eucharist is the very heart of our Catholic faith, the living presence of Jesus among His people.
Here in the Diocese of Saginaw, we are facing a growing challenge. At present, our Diocese has 56 parishes, but only 26 active priests below retirement age. We are deeply grateful to our 17 senior priests, who, though retired, continue to serve generously and tirelessly to ensure that the Sacraments are available to you.
We also have only four seminarians currently in formation. Even when a young man answers God’s call to the priesthood, it takes nearly nine to eleven years of formation before he is ready to serve as a priest. That is why we must be intentional and persistent in praying for vocations—for priests, deacons, and religious sisters and brothers.
In recent years, Bishop Gruss reached out to Dioceses in India for help, and through this collaboration, our Diocese has been blessed with ten priests from India, myself among them. We have come from different regions, cultures, and languages, leaving behind family, friends, and homeland to serve you—the People of God here in Michigan.
It is a joy and a privilege to bring you the Sacraments, to walk with you in faith, and to experience your warmth and kindness. I am deeply grateful for the love and hospitality shown by the people of this Diocese and especially, St. John XXIII Parish. Truly, I can say with St. Paul, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3).
Once, America sent missionaries all over the world; now the Lord is sending missionaries from other lands to serve here. The Church is truly universal—one family in Christ, bound together by faith and love. As you pray for more local vocations, please also remember us, the missionary priests who serve far from home. Pray that our ministry among you may be fruitful and that we may continue to bring Christ’s love to your communities.
Jesus reminds us: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37–38)
Let us pray earnestly for our priests and for those whom God may be calling to the priesthood. As St. John Vianney, the patron of priests, said:
“When people wish to destroy religion, they begin by attacking the priest, for where there is no priest, there is no sacrifice.”
Reflect and Respond
· Do I intentionally pray for priests and for new vocations in our Diocese?
· Is there someone I could gently encourage to consider the priesthood or religious life?
How can I show support and gratitude to the priest who serves in our parish?
May the Holy Spirit inspire many generous hearts to respond to God’s call.
“He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24
St. John Vianney, patron of priests, pray for us.
With gratitude and prayer,
Fr. Sunil Kumar Pallela
Missionary Priest from India
Diocese of Saginaw