By: Torrie Gregg
Priests are there for some of the most important moments of our lives, often in ways we don’t fully realize at the time.
I was reminded of that recently.
I was talking with my mom about some of the priests I’ve gotten to see lately when I mentioned Fr. David Metz. Without hesitation, she said, “You know he baptized you, right?”
What a fun thing to learn.
After hearing that, I reached out to him to share what I had learned (and to test his memory!), and we were able to connect about that special day almost 26 years ago. For him, it was likely one of many baptisms, just another moment in a life of ministry. But for me, it was the beginning of everything.
That conversation stayed with me. It made me realize that was the first time a priest was there for me, marking the beginning of my life in the Church through the sacraments.
Since then, a priest has heard my confession. A priest has provided the Eucharist to nourish my soul. A priest has helped prepare me for Confirmation. A priest will one day witness my vocation, whatever that may be. And hopefully, a priest will be there at the end of my life, offering the final prayers that commend my soul to God.
They are there for every stage.
What’s incredible to think about is that some of the priests who will walk with me through the most important moments of my life are still being formed. Some are in seminary right now. Some are still discerning. Some may not even be born yet.
But one thing is certain. They will be needed.
In a diocese like ours, spread across rural communities, the presence of a priest is not something we can take for granted. These men travel miles to bring the sacraments to our parishes. They celebrate Mass, anoint the sick, hear confessions, walk with families through grief, and share in the joys of baptisms, weddings, and confirmations. They are spiritual fathers who pour out their lives in service to the people entrusted to them.
And behind each of those moments is something we don’t always see: formation, support, and care.
Through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, we have the opportunity to support the men who are preparing for the priesthood, as well as the priests who are already serving our diocese. The Appeal helps provide for seminarian formation, ensuring that those who are called have the resources they need to become faithful and well-formed priests. It also supports our retired priests, caring for them after years of faithful service to our diocese.
When you support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, you are doing more than making a gift. You are helping ensure that the sacraments remain present in our communities. You are helping form the priests who will baptize, absolve, anoint, and celebrate the Eucharist for generations to come.
You are supporting the lifeline of the Church.
I am grateful, not just for the priests who have been there for me, but for the ones who will be there in the future.
Because of your generosity, they will be ready.
That is the impact of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Keeping the gift of the priesthood present in every corner of our diocese.
If you would like to make a gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal in support of our priests, you can do so at join.givecfds.org or via mail to the Catholic Foundation for Diocese of Salina, PO Box 1696, Salina, KS 67402. Questions may be directed to 785-827-8746 or torrie.gregg@salinadiocese.org.