My dear young people,

"Come, follow me," with these words Jesus invited men and women to follow Him 2000 years ago. And He continues to call us today. As He calls, He does not hide for a moment the cost of discipleship:  "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,” and he continues, "but who ever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.”  Sadly, many in our society have chosen to live for themselves and not for the Lord or others.  Jesus is always inviting us to die to our own agendas, our own wants, perhaps to even die to our own dreams.

When speaking to young people, Pope John Paul II once said, "If you hear the Lord's call, do not reject it!  Dare to become part of the great movements of holiness which renowned saints have launched in their following of Christ… Admire all God's works in the world, but be ready to fix your eyes on the things destined never to pass away."  You have been created by God with a desire in your hearts to do good in the world.  Your gifts are from God and, through these gifts, He wants to sanctify you.  Your decision to follow Christ in a radical way will enable you to grow into the person God created you to be. 

Pope Benedict XVI reminds us to not be afraid to make a permanent commitment to the Lord, for such commitments are “really the only ones that allow us to grow, to move ahead, and to reach something great in life!...Risk making the leap, so to speak, toward the definitive and so embrace life fully." Follow the Lord by zealously living a deeply interior life.  With prayer comes courage to embrace the Lord’s Will in its totality.  Generously give whatever the Lord asks, without counting the cost. 

It is my hope that this website will provide answers to your vocation questions.  At times, discerning your vocation can be intimidating.  Yet, with prayer and courage, such discernment bears much fruit and enables you to know and to follow God’s call.  Never be afraid to give your life to Christ.

With my blessing for you and your family, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, 

+Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix