Every vocation begins with a seed planted in the heart of a young person. For many of our priests and seminarians, that seed took root in the classrooms, chapels, and communities of our Catholic schools.

As the Diocese of Lansing continues the Stewardship for Saints & Scholars campaign, one of the most compelling reasons to support Catholic education is clear: it is fertile ground for the future shepherds of our Church.

Within the last year, the Diocese of Lansing was blessed with 30 seminarians preparing for the priesthood. Their educational journeys show the direct connection between Catholic schools and priestly vocations:

* 13 attended Catholic elementary schools.

* 11 attended Catholic high schools.

* 7 were homeschooled in the Catholic tradition.

This local reality reflects a national trend. According to the U.S. Ordination Class of 2024, made up of 475 new priests across the country, 42% attended Catholic elementary school and 32% attended Catholic high school. The pattern is clear: Catholic education consistently nurtures future priests.

Our own history further underscores the point. In the past five years, the Diocese of Lansing has ordained 10 priests:

* Four (40%) attended Catholic elementary school.

* Three (30%) attended Catholic high school.

* One (10%) was homeschooled.

Catholic schools don’t just provide strong academics; they immerse students in daily prayer, the sacraments, and a worldview that unites faith and reason. Surrounded by faith-filled teachers and peers, students are more likely to hear and respond to God’s call. Research confirms this: Catholic school graduates are significantly more likely to attend Mass regularly, consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, and remain active in the Church throughout their lives.

This is why the Stewardship for Saints & Scholars campaign matters. When you support this campaign, you are not only making Catholic education more on mission, affordable, and accessible — you are also helping raise up tomorrow’s priests, sisters, and lay leaders. The seeds planted in Catholic schools today will bear fruit for the Church of tomorrow.

As we begin the final wave of this campaign, we invite every parishioner to prayerfully consider joining in this effort. Together, we can ensure that Catholic schools remain a source of faith, formation, and hope for generations to come. To learn more about the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars and to make a pledge online, please visit our website at https://stewardshipforsaintsandscholars.com/