It is great to have some good news to report these days and a record number of 19 new seminarians is certainly good news. Not only is the number of new seminarians up from the 11 we had last year, but it is also a record year for the diocese.

Fifteen of the men come from our own parishes. Indeed the Holy Spirit has been working through parents, priests and our vocations staff to bring about this blessing for our diocese. The prayers of many have been answered.

Twelve of the new seminarians will be attending Holy Trinity Seminary, two will be going to St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, two to Assumption Seminary in San Antonio and two will be attending a seminary in Mexico City and one to Pope John XXIII Seminary.

Returning seminarians plus the new men bring our total number of seminarians for the diocese to 70, a significant increase over the 56 in 2010.

Finally, there is even more good news. Next year we will be ordaining five new priests to serve the Diocese of Dallas.

Please continue to pray and to work for vocations to the priesthood.