Latest 'Nods
Nod to the Collar

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

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Nod to the Collar

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.

Nod to the Collar
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Fr. Christopher Ballard

I just want highlight, Father Ballard, for everything you do to support future priests. It’s so important to have a priest who really invests in the next generation, mentoring and guiding young men as they discern their call. The way you give your time, your advice, and your example makes a huge difference — not just for them, but for all of us who want the Church to stay strong and full of life. We’re lucky to have a priest who cares that much about the future while still leading your parish with so much heart and energy.  Thank you!

Staff submission
Source: https://thecatholicsun.com/father-ballard-avoid-bandwagon-of-individualism/

Fr. Thomas A. Cardone

Thank you, Father Cardone, for the steady, faith-filled presence you’ve been in the life of this school. Your work as chaplain has touched more students and families than you probably realize — the Masses, the retreats, the quiet guidance, the way you always managed to make faith feel personal and lived rather than distant or formal. You helped shape the heart of Kellenberg, and I’m grateful that my child was formed under the spiritual environment you cultivated. Thank you for leading with gentleness, joy, and a genuine love for the Marianist mission. It made all the difference.

Matthew
Source:https://www.kellenberg.org/kellenberg-family-welcomes-new-ls-chaplain/

Prayer of Thanksgiving for Priests

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the gift of priests in Your Church. We are grateful for their dedication, their guidance, and their selfless service to Your people. Bless them with strength, courage, and joy in their ministry. May they always be filled with Your love and wisdom, and may their hearts be sustained in moments of challenge. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
‘Nod to the Collar Staff

Fr. Benjamin Lehnertz

Thank you for everything you do — seriously, you put your whole heart into every ministry you touch. The way you’ve supported the marriage programs, the adult formation stuff, and all the different groups who come to you looking for guidance…it really shows how much you care about helping people grow, not just checking boxes. You’ve got this way of making everyone feel seen — couples trying to build something stronger, people trying to come back to the Church, young adults figuring life out. And yeah, we all love the baseball thing too — it’s just so you, bringing that same energy and team spirit into the parish. We’re lucky to have a priest who shows up for people the way you do.
Staff Submission

Monsignor Jim Lisante

This Thanksgiving, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to Monsignor Jim Lisante, along with Leslie Gretschel, for leading such an amazing food drive this year. Their dedication to helping so many families in need truly captures the spirit of the holiday season — a time to give, share, and care for one another. Monsignor Lisante sets an incredible example for other parishes, showing how leadership, generosity, and heart can make a real difference in people’s lives. Initiatives like this remind all of us what Thanksgiving is really about: coming together as a community to support those who need it most. We’re so grateful for his vision, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving others.

Staff Submission
Source: https://patch.com/new-york/massapequa/thanksgiving-food-assistance-coming-courtesy-our-lady-lourdes

Fr. Adam Feisthamel

I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the way your homilies touch my heart and inspire me each week. Your words bring clarity, hope, and encouragement, and I often leave Mass feeling renewed in my faith. Beyond your sermons, I am grateful for all the ways you serve our parish and make our community a welcoming, uplifting place. Thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and the positive impact you have on so many lives.

Gina

Source:https://evangelist.org/news/2024/may/08/gods-love-mercy-and-forgiveness/

Msgr. Neil Quartier

I just wanted to thank you for your “Pocket Homily” videos during the pandemic. In a time when it felt like the world had put a pause on everything, your short but powerful reflections were like tiny spiritual espresso shots—just the boost I needed to feel connected, grounded, and hopeful. Your words reminded me that even when we’re physically apart, our faith and our parish community can keep us close. Thank you for taking the time to share your insight, humor, and wisdom—it made those challenging days feel a little brighter and a lot more meaningful.
Shannon

Fr. Thaddeus J. Abraham

I just wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for your dedicated service at St. Gregory the Great and Our Lady of Charity in Brooklyn. Your warm disposition and genuine care for parishioners make every encounter meaningful, and your lifelong passion for your vocation shines through in everything you do. Priests like you remind us of the beauty and joy of faithful service, and the positive impact of a life devoted to God and community. Thank you for your unwavering commitment, your kindness, and the inspiration you bring to all of us who are blessed to know you.

Staff Submission

Fr. Patrick j. Keating

I want to sincerely thank you for your incredible dedication to service, both as a priest and as a professional using your talents to help those in need. Your work with Catholic Charities and Catholic Migration Services has touched countless lives—families, immigrants, seniors, and the most vulnerable in our community have felt the impact of your care, guidance, and leadership. It’s inspiring to see how you combine your deep faith with your legal expertise, advocating for justice and ensuring that the Church’s mission is carried out with integrity and compassion. You remind all of us that serving God can take many forms—not just in the pulpit, but also in the offices, courts, and communities where lives are changed. Thank you for your tireless efforts, your vision, and your unwavering commitment to living your vocation fully; priests like you truly embody the best of faith in action.

Staff Submission

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Nod to the Collar
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