St. Andrew is known as one of the first followers of Jesus, one of the first to answer the call. So, it is fitting that an event aimed at helping young men discern whether they have been called to the priesthood would be named after him.
Each year, the Vocation Office of the Diocese of St. Cloud hosts two Andrew Dinners – one in the spring and one in the fall – to support and encourage young men in discerning a vocation.
Three to five young men typically attend the dinners, invited and accompanied by the pastor of their parish. The dinners begin with casual conversation and ice-breaker activities.
“Before dinner we pray evening prayer, which for me is a highlight, especially the singing,” said Father Doug Liebsch, director of vocations for the diocese.
After sharing a meal of pizza and salad, Bishop Neary shares his vocation story and offers time for questions.
The dinners provide an opportunity for young men to visit with current seminarians and priests and learn about the unique life of the priesthood in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
Bishop Kettler hosted many Andrew Dinners during his nine years in the diocese. Bishop Patrick Neary has hosted three Andrew Dinners since he was assigned to the diocese.
There is one more dinner scheduled this year, Nov. 21 in Melrose. Two more are scheduled for 2025, Feb. 20 in Pierz and Sept. 25 in St. Cloud.
Bishop Neary said as a bishop it is good for him to have contact with young people interested in the priesthood and share his vocation story with them.
“It’s an incredible experience of being relaxed and having fun and praying together,” Bishop Neary said after a recent dinner. “I never had the chance as a young man to ever meet my bishop. I was confirmed by him, but I never could have imagined sitting down with him in a living room and hearing his story, where he came from, and how he came to be a priest and then a bishop. So, I think for me, that’s why this is important, because I never had that chance, and I think it can plant some seeds.”
Seeing that there are a few other young guys interested is significant because they probably don’t get a lot of support from their friends for the idea of a vocation. They might get a mixture of reactions, he said.
“Having their pastor here as well makes an impression on these young men that they’ve taken their time to bring them,” Bishop Neary said.
“The purpose is for the bishop to encourage young men to sincerely follow Jesus wherever he leads, whether that be to the priesthood or another vocation,” said Father Liebsch. “We are all called to give our life somewhere.”
Andrew Dinners are held around the country to give bishops the opportunity to interact with those who are considering the priesthood and to encourage them to follow the Lord’s call, according to the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“I think that here they’re going to be affirmed in at least exploring the possibility,” Bishop Neary said. “So, pray about it, think about it. And it may be for you, it may not be, but at least coming is an important first step.”
Like St. Andrew the Lord is asking priests to bring others to him so that they may discover their vocations as well, the USCCB website said.
“I hope these young men experience a taste of the joy that is a result of following Jesus with their whole life,” Father Liebsch said. “I hope it leaves them with a greater freedom in following him in any vocation they decide on.”
Father Liebsch said that as vocation director, Andrew Dinners are among his favorite events.
“The young men who come forward are certainly curious and have questions, but also an eagerness and excitement about where their life will lead,” he said. “Their disposition is life giving for me.”
For information about the upcoming Andrew Dinners, contact the Vocation Office at (320) 251-5001 or visit https://stcdio.org/vocations.
Pictured above: Bishop Patrick Neary talks to attendees at an Andrew Dinner in February, 2023. (Dianne Towalski / The Central Minnesota Catholic)