Priesthood

​“The faithful expect only one thing from priests: that they be specialists in promoting the encounter between man and God. The priest is not asked to be an expert in economics, construction or politics. He is expected to be an expert in the spiritual life.”  – Pope Benedict XVI

God made you for a unique purpose. Even before you were born, he knew your vocation, your mission in life. And if you are a faithful Catholic man, God may be calling you for a higher purpose — to become a Catholic priest.

Priests have a critical mission: to bring people to Jesus and Jesus to people.  They are spiritual fathers to thousands of Catholics. They preach the Gospel and offer the sacrifice of the Mass.  In short, priests are living witnesses of Christ in the world—men of strong character who stand out in our secular culture.

A good priest is a spiritual hero, a man who sacrifices himself for the people of God.  Is Jesus calling you to be his priest?​

The Diocese of Greensburg offers the following Discernment Events:

  • ​The Melchizedek Project
  • St. Andrew Dinner     ​
  • Jeremiah Days (Grades 6-8)
  • Quo Vadis Days (Grades 9-12)

If you are discerning a vocation please contact Father Tyler J. Bandura. Father Bandura serves as Director for the Office for Priestly Vocations; chaplain of Greensburg Central Catholic High School, and episcopal master of ceremonies for Bishop Malesic.

Email: tbandura@dioceseofgreensburg.org
Phone: 724-552-2535

Permanent Diaconate

In the Catholic Church, the diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry. Deacons preparing for the priesthood are transitional deacons. Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Married men may be ordained permanent deacons, and single men may be ordained with a commitment to celibacy.

The Office for the Permanent Diaconate provides general information on the vocation of the deacon. It conducts the selection and admission process for inquirers to diaconate formation and provides a diaconate formation program for the diocese. We encourage human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and vocational formation among deacons, candidates, aspirants and inquirers, and our office serves as a resource for placement and other personal concerns of diocesan deacons.

Deacon Bill Hisker serves as the diocesan director of the Office for the Permanent Diaconate. Sherry McQuaide serves as the diocesan administrative assistant for the office. They can both be reached at 724-837-0901.

Communities of Women Religious

Religious life was born in the East during the first centuries of Christianity. Lived within institutes canonically erected by the Church, it is distinguished from other forms of consecrated life by its liturgical character, public profession of the evangelical counsels, fraternal life led in common, and witness given to the union of Christ with the Church.

Religious life derives from the mystery of the Church.  It is a gift she has received from her Lord, a gift she offers as a stable way of life to the faithful called by God to profess the counsels.  Thus, the Church can both show forth Christ and acknowledge herself to be the Savior’s bride.  Religious life in its various forms is called to signify the very charity of God in the language of our time.

All religious, whether exempt or not, take their place among the collaborators of the diocesan bishop in his pastoral duty.  From the outset of the work of evangelization, the missionary “planting” and expansion of the Church require the presence of the religious life in all its forms.  “History witnesses to the outstanding service rendered by religious families in the propagation of the faith and in the formation of new Churches: from the ancient monastic institutions to the medieval orders, all the way to the more recent congregations.”

The Diocese of Greensburg has several Communities of Women Religious that can be explored while discerning a vocation. Please visit www.dioceseofgreensburg.org for more information.