Holy Orders is a Sacrament of Vocation in which a bishop confers on a baptized man the grace of the Holy Spirit and sacred power for the service of the faithful.  It can be administered in three forms: deacon, priest and bishop.

Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest.  Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8).  This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.

f you would like to discuss a call to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate, or just talk about discerning God's will in your life, feel free to contact the parish office and talk with a priest. If you are thinking about the priesthood, feel free also to contact the Vocation Director of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Fr. Mark Murphy, or visit www.dbqpriesthood.org; if you are thinking about the permanent diaconate, contact Deacon John Stierman, Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese, or visit www.dbqarch.org/offices/permanent-diaconate/.

There are also many opportunities throughout the Archdiocese to pray for, discern, and discuss vocations to the priesthood and diaconate. Check them out here, at www.dbqarch.org/offices/vocations/.

Fr. Mark Murphy
(563) 556-2580, ext 281
Vocations Director, Archdiocese of Dubuque

Deacon John Stierman
(563) 556-2580, ext 282
Director of the Permanent Diaconate

St Thomas Aquinas Pastorate Office
(563) 852-3524