Latest 'Nods
Nod to the Collar

Want to acknowledge a priest who has made a positive impact on your life?

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Want to acknowledge a priest who has made a positive impact on your life?

SHARE YOUR STORY

Written ‘Nods

Below are ‘Nods to priests who have made a favorable impression in someone’s life. It’s important to let our priests know they are appreciated, respected, and supported.

Want to create your own ‘Nod? Click the “Create a ‘Nod” button to learn how you can submit a video or audio recording, orgininal artwork, or a written statement.

Fr. Antonio Dittmer

I want to thank you for all the work you do in our parish and community. What has inspired me most is hearing you share that seeing and helping people deepen their relationship with God is why you became a priest. That is such a beautiful reminder that a priest’s vocation goes far beyond Mass —it’s about guiding hearts, nurturing faith, and walking alongside people as they grow closer to Christ. Your example has inspired me personally to reach out to my own local priest and open up more as I navigate my struggles in my relationship with God. You are the kind of priest who goes beyond the greetings and goodbyes at the door, who truly invests in the spiritual lives of those around you. Your ministry shows the real depth and joy of the priesthood, and it encourages others to seek guidance and encounter God in meaningful ways.  Thank you for your witness, your care, and your example—it has made a real difference in my life.

Lindsey
Source:https://thecatholicpost.com/2022/06/25/jubilarian-priests-thanked-for-service-called-a-great-gift-to-our-church/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

Fr. Martin Connor

Thank you for all the work you do in fostering vocations and guiding young men discerning the priesthood. Your dedication—through your role in vocation ministry, your online presence, and your active involvement in parish family nights—truly makes a difference.  Hearing you share your call to the priesthood along side your brother and your desire to save souls is inspiring and heart warming. It shows young men that following God’s call is a real, joyful, and transformative path. Your openness and example help make the priesthood visible and inviting, and they give hope and guidance to those discerning whether God is calling them.  Thank you for living your vocation so fully and for encouraging others to do the same. Your work touches lives in ways that go far beyond Mass and confessions, and it leaves a lasting impact on the Church and the next generation of priests.

Staff Submission
Source:https://legionariesofchrist.org/legionary-priest/fr-martin-connor-lc/

Fr. Daniel Jongeun Seo

A ‘Nod to you for all the incredible work you do in the vocation. Your presence online, your active involvement in family nights at the parish, and the way you share your call to the priesthood are truly inspiring. Hearing you speak about your desire to save souls reminds all of us why the priesthood is such a powerful vocation, and it creates a path for young men discerning whether God might be calling them.  As someone who has been part of this Church my whole life, it’s such a joy to see priests like you doing so much more than just say Mass and hear confessions. Your energy, dedication, and openness make the Church feel alive and welcoming in ways that touch the whole community.  Thank you for living your vocation so fully and inspiring all of us along the way.

Staff Submission
Source: https://www.rcbo.org/es/newsroom-archive/bishop-kevin-vann-to-ordain-six-new-priests-for-the-diocese-of-orange-first-ordination-in-christ-cathedral/?action=genpdf&id=22466&utm_source=chatgpt.com

Fr. Stephen Gadberry

Thank you for the work you do on social media. As someone who’s part of the younger generation rediscovering the Catholic faith, it genuinely means a lot to see priests showing up online in a way that feels real, relatable, and honestly… kind of cool.  For a lot of us who didn’t grow up super plugged into parish life, social media has oddly become one of the places where we first encounter faith again. Seeing a priest who’s authentic, who shares his life, his thoughts, and even his personality makes the Church feel a lot less distant and a lot more human. It reminds people like me that priests are real people who love God and want others to know Him too.  I’m one of those people who slowly found my way back to Mass on my own, and voices like yours online definitely played a part in that. Seeing priests who are joyful, grounded, and unafraid to meet people where they actually are in the modern world makes a bigger impact than you probably realize.  So thank you for being one of the “cool priests” out there. It might sound funny, but it actually matters. With so many young people starting to rediscover Catholicism, having priests who feel approachable and authentic can be the bridge that brings someone back to the pews.

Lauren
Source:https://www.yescatholic.com/stories/episode-120-zgscg?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Fr. Robert Ballecer

It’s incredible to see a priest stepping into the world of video games to create a safe, welcoming space for kids. My kid has fallen in love with Minecraft in a whole new way, and it’s such a relief knowing he’s playing somewhere positive, far from all the violent, toxic games out there. Your tech initiative shows how much you care, and it’s inspiring to see faith in action in a place where kids really are. Knowing that priests like you are making a real difference in young lives gives me hope — and gratitude — beyond words.

Susan

Fr. Vincent Guest

I really admire the way you’re bringing the Church into the heart of Camden through your work with local community groups, city programs, and initiatives that support families, immigrants, and those in need. Coordinating these efforts, advocating for the neighborhood, and helping the Church actively respond to real-world challenges shows how faith can make a tangible difference in people’s lives. It’s inspiring to see a priest not just leading inside the parish but stepping out to build partnerships and create positive change across the city.

Fr. Luke Daghir

I just wanted to say how much your work with students at Mercyhurst means. Having a priest present on a college campus makes a real difference, especially for young people trying to hold onto their faith while figuring out who they are and where their lives are going. Being able to go to Mass, confession, or just know there’s a priest around who understands that stage of life is something a lot of students quietly rely on. Your willingness to show up for that kind of ministry helps keep the faith alive for so many young Catholics. Thank you for being there for the students and for the care you bring to that work.

Elijah

Fr. Sam French

A ‘Nod for the work you do online and the way you bring the Catholic faith into spaces far beyond the walls of a church. In a time when so many young people spend their lives on social media, it means a lot to see a priest willing to meet them there with honesty, humor, and a clear love for the Gospel. Reaching people outside the pews is incredibly important right now, especially for Catholic youth trying to navigate a complicated and often divided political and cultural climate. Your willingness to speak about faith openly in that environment gives many young Catholics a sense that the Church is still present in their everyday world. Thank you for using those platforms to share hope, encourage vocations, and remind people that faith still has a place in the middle of modern life.

Staff Submission

Fr. Paul Houlis

I just wanted to say thank you for the work you do as a priest and for the unique path that brought you there. It’s pretty incredible to think about the journey from stand-up comedy and acting to serving as a priest and even as a cemetery chaplain. That kind of change says a lot about listening to God’s call, even when it leads somewhere completely unexpected. The ministry you did in the cemetery is especially meaningful, because caring for the dead and walking with families in moments of grief is one of the most quiet and important parts of a priest’s vocation. It takes compassion, patience, and deep faith to stand in those spaces and bring hope to people who are mourning. Thank you for embracing that work and for the way you continue to serve the Church and your parish community.

Staff Submission

Fr. Khanh Ho

Thank you for the beautiful witness you give to the priesthood and for the many ways you care for the people of your parish at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Your dedication to your vocation, your steady leadership within the parish community, and the way you share the faith both in person and through social media all help bring the Gospel to life for so many people. It’s clear that your ministry flows from a deep love for Christ and for the Church, and that love radiates outward to everyone you serve. Thank you for the countless quiet moments of guidance, prayer, and encouragement that strengthen the faith of your parishioners every day. May God continue to bless you abundantly in your priesthood and in the work you do for His people

Emily

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