Greetings from Bishop Ronald W. Gainer
This web page has been developed especially for you. Listening to God's call is referred to as "discernment". We believe that God has called all the baptized to a unique vocation to holiness and service. Whether you are a student in high school or in college, whether you are single, dating or married, whether you are a Deacon or a Religious Sister or Brother or thinking about becoming a priest, you too are called to listen to the invitations to which Jesus Christ is calling. My prayer is that this web page can offer you the direction you need to discern which vocation God is calling you to live out in this life. I invite you to explore this site and to interact with others who are also discerning and let the Holy Spirit lead you. I was baptized September 7, 1947 and ordained a priest on May 19, 1973 and consecrated and installed as Bishop of Lexington on February 22, 2003. 1 grew up in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. I was an only child, so discerning to become a priest was such a big step for my parents and me. With God's help and the support of my family and faith community, I took that step in faith for we are called to walk by faith not by sight. Looking back, I can see God guiding my whole life. Even now I am amazed at what God is doing. I belong to the "Family of God", all those who are baptized are my sisters and brothers. God has blessed my life and ministry in so many ways through the years. He has called me to Lexington, Kentucky and has truly blessed me with a beautiful family spread throughout 50 counties. It is all about love and I find the more I surrender myself to the Holy Spirit, the closer I feel to Jesus and the more I experience the abounding love of God. There are days and everybody has those days, when you question and wonder, but God is always there to nurture and support the vocation he has given. In Matthew's Gospel (28: 18-20), the Risen Lord sends the disciples out to the whole world to spread the Good News and he tells them that he will be with them until the end of time. I have found this to be so true in my life. No matter what has happened or where I have gone, Jesus has always been there. What a great gift he has given us, the gift of His Spirit in our baptism. As you grow in your understanding of what God has done for you through the waters of baptism, may you be renewed in His Spirit and strengthened to hear His voice calling you to follow Him. This web site provides you with interactive information about prayer, discernment and service opportunities. It provides answers to some of your questions, and gives you direction on how you can further consider God's call. It provides names of people who can help you learn more about a particular vocation and how to discern that call. If I can be of any help, please let me know. God has called me to this diocese to be your shepherd, brother and servant. So I am more than willing to help you in any way that I can. Sincerely yours in Christ, |
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"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you" (John 15: 16) God has led you to our web page. I pray that the information you find here will help you in your response to His call.
