News

This study was undertaken to answer a fundamental question: how many seminarians does the Diocese of Savannah need in order to maintain the ratio of priests to laity over the next twenty years?

To answer this question, this report examines the growth of the diocese, retirement trends in the presbyterate, ordination rates, and the retention rate of seminarians.

Fr. Justin Ferguson speaks about the diocesan priesthood. 22 men attended the men's discernment retreat.

Jorge Andres Bedoya was ordained a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Savannah by Bishop Boland at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Grovetown, Georgia on Saturday November 28, 2009. Originally from Colombia, Jorge has been pursuing his studies at St. Vincent’s Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. This transitional stage between layman and priest has been the custom in the church for several centuries.

Close to 300 people were treated to a day of Spiritual Renewal at St Joseph Catholic Church in Macon as we listened to Dr. Scott Hahn give three talks: Letter and Spirit, The Lamb’s Supper, and Priests as Spiritual Fathers. His third talk was greatly anticipated by many, this being the Year for Priests. More than a few were moved to tears at the end of his reflections.

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On June 20, Bishop J. Kevin Boland ordained four new priests for service in the Diocese of Savannah in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. By prayer and the imposition of hands, Deacons Matthew Ericksen, Luis Fonseca, Pablo Migone and Scott Winchel were raised to the priesthood.

Calling June 20 “a glorious day,” the bishop described the ministerial priesthood as a “pure gift” that “at all times must be lived out in service to God’s people.” Citing Pope Benedict XVI’s letter proclaiming June 19, 2009, to June 19, 2010 as the Year for Priests, which in turn quoted extensively from the writings of Saint John Vianney, patron of priests, the bishop told the candidates, “Our faith in the Divine Master gives us the strength to look to the future with confidence.” 

In an effort to more widely publicize the work of the Serra Club, we have begun a communications campaign to highlight what we do in support of Vocations. This effort began using a series of Parish Bulletin Clips provided by the USA Council of Serra International to promote vocation awareness at the parish level.

Scott Winchel was ordained a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Savannah by Bishop Boland at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Friday December 26, 2008, the Feast of St. Stephen, one of the first deacons as well as the first martyr of the early Christian church.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."-- Ecclesiastes 3:1

EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Chase Hilgenbrinck is alone in the middle of the field, just outside the goal box, with his back to it. He's facing his teammates, who are standing several yards away, split into two lines for pregame warm-ups. One by one -- left, then right -- they kick a soccer ball his way, and start jogging in his direction. Chase deftly deflects each ball off to the side with a flick of his foot, setting up each teammate to launch a shot on goal.