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It was always there — the calm, hushed murmurings to Fr. David Loeffler’s heart as he felt God’s love drawing him to the priesthood. He took his faith seriously, sharing it with his family when he would play Mass at home, to the point of reprimanding them if they fell asleep during his “homilies.”

Francesca Thomas has been working with little kids since she first graduated from college. “I went to church pretty faithfully, but I don’t think my faith was particularly deep at that time. I sort of went, doing what you’re supposed to do, but I really was captivated by this whole putting-your-faith-into-action thing,” Thomas said.

All matters of great importance should first be discerned on the knees. The diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry, and the priesthood is the second. Both require years of formation and discernment, a process aided by support from the annual Charity and Development Appeal.

Fr. Ryan Lee grew up in Arizona as the oldest child in his family, but only by 60 seconds. He’s got a twin brother and a younger sister and he might be the only priest in the Diocese of Phoenix who knows how to care for an elephant or an orangutan.

There’s no telling what a lunchtime meeting twice per month can do for the soul. The impact on those they pray for during that meeting — their top agenda item — is equally immeasurable. The main order of business: pray for and network with priests, religious and those in discernment.

Fr. Dan Connealy’s first few months as a priest may have him feeling like life came full circle.

“I die the King’s good servant; but God’s first.” These were the last words spoken by St. Thomas More, a 16th-century politician and martyr, who died defending the Catholic faith. The life of St. Thomas More and his close friend St. John Fisher, like many other saints, illustrates the necessity of having courage when religious freedom is attacked.

Fr. Sheunesu Bowora’s first year of priesthood will tangibly seal his religious vocation.

It’s a faith-filled recipe for growth — spiritual, intellectual and personal — that both children and their parents want to try again and again, even beyond the standard five-day format.

Trent Horn, who once worked for the Diocese of Phoenix, is temporarily returning to the Valley to present Catholic Answers' Summer Talk Series. Each...