Ministry initiative is aimed at growing vocations in the Diocese of Knoxville
By Maggie Parsons
Following the start of the Diocese of Knoxville Vocation Office’s Called by Name program, young people were invited to have conversations with priests and religious from around the diocese on discerning a vocation.
The Chancery office began to look for ways to increase vocations in East Tennessee. The diocese took its first major step for vocations in January with its first Called by Name nomination.
Father Mark Schuster, director of vocations for the diocese, explained the idea behind the Called by Name system and the nominations.
“The vision was to actively invite people to consider a vocation to the religious life, or the priestly life, but also to encourage people to accurately look and invite other people,” Father Schuster said.
Diocese of Knoxville priests, including Father Neil Blatchford, Father Danny Herman, Father Arthur Torres, Father Miguel Vélez, Father A.J. Houston, Father Mark Schuster, and Father Michael Willey, talk at All Saints Church with young men discerning a vocation. (Photo Maggie Parsons)
In June 2025, Bishop Mark Beckman and Father Schuster highlighted vocation ministry within the diocese in hope of inspiring parishes to invigorate vocation discernment.
After the nominations were made in each parish, those names were sent to the Vocations Office. From there, the office sent invitations to the men and women nominated to participate in gatherings and dinners with priests and religious. This gave those invited an opportunity to become comfortable with clergy and religious and to ask questions involving discernment.
“I received the invitation months ago, and I have been waiting ever since,” Rosalie Boehm said.
Ms. Boehm, an energized participant of a Miriam dinner with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., at the Sisters’ Knoxville convent, attended from St. Mary Parish in Johnson City. She was eager to spend time with the religious in their community.
Ms. Boehm is an example of having zeal for the Lord and those in faith communities.
“I love visiting convents; I love Sisters, and it was beautiful to pray and enter myself in a little liturgical life,” said Olivia Turner, who shared Ms. Boehm’s excitement.
Ms. Turner drove from the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga to attend the Miriam Dinner, eager to interact with the Sisters.
Visiting the convent was an interactive way for the young women to be exposed to part of a religious Sister’s life.
Father Schuster compared this exposure to that of an internship when someone is gaining an understanding of a profession in which they’re interested. For those beginning to discern the priesthood or religious life, exposure to the daily beauty of a vocation can be a meaningful starting point.
“I think the increase we hope to see is an openness among young people to the vocation God is calling them to and increased support from their families, parishes, and the diocese for them to follow God’s call,” said Sister Joan Miriam Nelson.
Sister Joan Miriam, a Religious Sister of Mercy serving in the diocese, took part in the event.
Three gatherings were held for the Called by Name initiative—one for the men and two for the women. The first event held was the Andrew Dinner, which was given on the campus of All Saints Parish in Knoxville.
This event opened with Bishop Beckman addressing the young men in attendance. It was an opportunity for the men to have conversations at a table with priests from across the diocese in addition to Father Schuster and Father Arthur Torres, who serves as the assistant director of vocations for the diocese.
Religious Sisters of Mercy, from left, Gianna Marie Savidge, Joan Miriam Nelson, Claudia Marie Murray, Marie de Paul Stokes, and Mary Timothea Elliott host a young girl curious about the religious life. (Photo Maggie Parsons)
Both gatherings for women were held at the Religious Sisters of Mercy convent. One was for women 18 years and older, and the second was for those under 18. Both offered a glimpse into the Sisters’ daily lives, including Mass, adoration, and the Liturgy of the Hours.
The young women were asked questions about religious life and witnessed firsthand the Sisters’ convent life.
“A vocation is given as a gift by God. This means that as young women and men discern, the discernment has to be with God through prayer and the sacraments,” Sister Joan Miriam remarked.
She highlighted one of the most important parts of the path of discernment: Along the journey, it is important to remember the connection with the Lord that He strives to have with each person.
“There was something about the Mass that grabbed hold of me and would not let me go,” said Deacon Daniel Cooper.
Deacon Cooper was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Knoxville on June 6 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus by Bishop Beckman. The diocese’s newest priest was at the Andrew Dinner to share his seminary journey with the young men. He shared his journey of faith and his first experience with Mass and the Holy Eucharist.
Throughout the three gatherings, both the priests and religious Sisters shared their vocation stories with the young men and women. The example of those in the diocese who have said yes to the Lord in their own unique way is something that the young women and men who are discerning a vocation can look to.
Listening to the words of those who have taken their own vocation journey illustrates how each vocation story is different, but that each is guided by God.
“Don’t be afraid to act. There might not be perfect clarity, and there could still be some doubts as to whether you are called to a particular vocation. God will work with that and guide you, but we have to give Him something to work with,” Sister Joan Miriam said.
Discernment of any vocation should go beyond just a feeling of being drawn toward a lifestyle. The Called by Name program is one of the many ways people can be encouraged to take steps in God’s calling to holiness.
The Diocese of Knoxville and its Vocations Office are continuing to work toward a great growth in vocations for the Church, encouraging those who are sitting in the pews.
“I hope they continue praying for those vocations and for encouragement from their parish and even from their own families,” Father Schuster said.
To join a discernment group or to ask questions regarding discerning a vocation in the diocese, visit dioknox.org/vocations.