Called By Name Sunday 2026

January 14, 2026

By Fr. Peter Nemcek, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg

I’d like to inform you about our second annual Called by Name Sunday.  This is the second item on our three-step Vocations plan for 2025/2026.  After consultation with Most Rev. Murray Chatlain, Called By Name Sunday will take place in the Archdiocese of Winnipeg on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

This project has historically produced dramatic results.  The Diocese of Austin, Texas, for example, reported a 300 percent increase in the number of interested discerners and tripled its number of seminarians after instituting Called By Name Sunday.

CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW

Called by Name is a diocesan-wide campaign to identify faithful Catholic men ages 16 to 45 who may be called to priesthood and religious life.

  • Archbishop Chatlain is asking all parishes to participate over two weekends.
  • Parishioners are asked to submit the names of young men in high school or older, who show love and devotion to the Church, and who possibly could be called to priesthood or religious life.
  • Parishioners can submit names using pew cards or online
  • The Vocation Office will offer gentle support to these young men as they discern their vocation. For example, they will be invited to project Andrew, retreats, discernment groups, seminary visit, etc.

CAMPAIGN TIMELINE

Parishes have received the necessary resources needed for a successful Called By Name Sunday weekend. On the weekend of January 25th, you can expect to hear announcements made by your parish priest and would see a letter from Archbishop Chatlain about this initiative.

The weekend of February 1st will be our inaugural Called By Name Sunday. You’ll see Called by Name cards in pews, might hear a homily about your priest’s vocation story, and be asked to submit the name of a young man who might be called to the Priesthood!

Thank you for your participation.