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.
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Fr. Kevin Menard
Your journey to the priesthood is such a powerful witness to what can happen when someone truly listens to God’s call. The honesty with which you’ve shared your path — from living an ordinary young adult life, to discerning something deeper was missing, to ultimately giving your life fully to Christ — is incredibly meaningful, especially for other young men trying to navigate their own vocation. In a world that constantly pulls people in every direction, your “yes” stands as a reminder that holiness is still possible, joyful, and worth pursuing. Thank you for embracing your vocation with humility and courage, and for showing others that discernment is not about having all the answers immediately, but about being willing to follow where God leads. Your example will undoubtedly inspire many others to listen more closely to that same call in their own lives.
Fr. Michael T Casey
I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done through campus ministry. College can honestly feel overwhelming and isolating sometimes, and having a priest who actually shows up, listens, and cares about students the way you do makes a huge difference. You’ve created a place where people can ask questions, grow in their faith, and feel like they belong without being judged. Your guidance, your patience, and even just the way you talk to people have helped a lot more students than you probably realize. Thank you for giving your life to this vocation and for being someone students can genuinely look up to.
Fr. Jonathan Raia
Thank you for your faithful “yes” to the priesthood and for the way you pour yourself into the lives of others through your ministry. Your involvement in retreats, spiritual guidance, and marriage preparation has genuinely touched so many people. The care, wisdom, and sincerity you bring to those moments make people feel seen, encouraged, and closer to God. In a world that can feel so rushed and disconnected, your presence and dedication remind us what authentic pastoral care looks like. Thank you for walking with people through some of the most important moments of their lives and for living your vocation with such humility and heart
Miranda
Fr. Ryan Lerner
I just want to say thank you for all the work you do for our parish and for the New Haven Catholic community. It really hasn’t gone unnoticed how much you’ve taken on with the parish merger and keeping everything running across so many churches—it’s a lot, and you handle it with a steady, grounded presence. I also appreciate how present you are pastorally, whether it’s celebrating Mass, being there for families in tough moments, or just helping keep a sense of unity in such a big and changing parish. It’s clear you care deeply about the people here, and that means a lot. Thank you for your leadership and for all the ways you serve the Church so faithfully.
Staff Submission
Source: https://stm.yale.edu/
Fr. John Barno
Source: https://www.
Msgr. William P. McGhee
Fr. Cassian Derbes
I wanted to extend a ‘Nod and a moment to thank you for the impact your ministry and teaching have had on me. As someone who has been discerning a possible call to the priesthood, I often think about the kind of formation it takes to serve the Church well—not just in parish life, but in guiding others who themselves carry responsibility for teaching and leadership. Learning that you spent so much of your work forming bishops, clergy, and leaders in the Church has been incredibly meaningful to me. It’s one thing to speak about faith, but another entirely to help shape those entrusted with shepherding the wider Church. That level of service has given me a deeper understanding of what faithful formation really looks like: steady, thoughtful, and rooted in truth and prayer. Your example has helped me see priesthood not just as something done at the altar on Sundays, but as a life of building up others so they can, in turn, lead with integrity and faith. That vision has been encouraging and clarifying for me in my own discernment. Thank you for your witness, your teaching, and your dedication to forming others in the heart of the Church.
Lucas
Fr. Christopher Monturo
I want to sincerely thank you for your vocation and for the many ways you have poured yourself into our parish and community. Your leadership in strengthening and renewing our parish—especially through the “Living Our Faith, Building Our Future” campaign—has created a space where faith can truly grow and thrive. Your dedication doesn’t stop at the church doors; your service as a chaplain to our police officers, firefighters, and first responders is a powerful witness to Christ’s presence in moments of both crisis and courage. It also means so much to see how you bring the beauty of the Church to life through sacred music, meaningful liturgies, and opportunities like pilgrimages that deepen our faith. In all of this, your steady guidance and commitment remind us what it means to truly shepherd a parish. Thank you for saying yes to this calling and for all that you continue to do for our Church.
Steffani
Source: https://sh-olp.com/about-us?
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/
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://
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