Priest-recruitment program launched

12/20/2003

Bishop Leonard P. Blair yesterday announced a new vocation-awareness campaign that will use the Internet to help recruit young men into the priesthood.

“Discover the Priesthood,” a campaign, featuring such slogans as “Altar Your Life” and “Do You Have Collar I.D.?,” is aimed at men in the 18-22 age range, said the Rev. David Nuss, vocations director for the Toledo diocese.

The $20,000 budget is being funded by donors who specifically earmarked money for the project, Father Nuss said.

The Toledo Catholic Diocese, like virtually all U.S. dioceses, is experiencing a shortage of priests, Bishop Blair said. The new campaign is designed to provide information to those who may be considering the priesthood.

“You have to understand, we re not trying to sell something,” Bishop Blair said. “We re trying to help people who may have a calling.”

Graphics created by UP Design Group of Toledo will be featured on computer mouse pads, bookmarks, the new Web site, www.toledovocations.com, and possibly on billboards in the 19-county diocese.