Growing up in a small, working class family, Stephen Pergantis thought he had his future mapped out. He was going to become a physician and had accepted a full-ride scholarship to college. He planned to play basketball, and was dating a young woman. Then the Holy Spirit intervened.

Two years later, now 19 years old, the Central Catholic High School graduate is one of 18 seminarians enrolled at Saint Paul Seminary in Crafton. Another 21 are immersed in theological studies at major seminaries in the United States and in Rome, Italy, mirroring a global trend showing more men discerning a call from God to become a priest, according to the Catholic News Agency.

A priority of Our Campaign for The Church Alive! is to increase the number of seminarians to succeed the wave of priests nearing retirement in our diocese. The drive will add $5 million to the Shepherds’ Care Fund for seminarian formation to help pay tuition, room and board and other educational costs for those preparing for the priesthood. The average annual expense to educate a seminarian is $32,000, but diocesan leaders believe finances should not stand in the way of those discerning whether to become a priest.

“I had thought about becoming a priest since first grade,” Stephen said. “At Good Shepherd, my parish in Braddock, I was greatly influenced by our pastors, Father Tom Wagner and Father Tom Burke.

“In high school I became more focused on academics and wanted to be a doctor. But my senior year I felt anxious, like I was making the wrong decision. It was the Lord pulling on my heart. I prayed about it, met with Father Freedy, and knew the seminary is where I should be.”

Father Joseph Freedy, director of the diocesan Office for Priestly Vocations, noted that the number of seminarians in our diocese has doubled since Bishop David Zubik was installed here in 2007.

“One of the gifts with which we have been so blessed over the course of these last several years is a dramatic increase in the number of men who are hearing a call from God to become a priest,” Bishop Zubik said, “and that takes real money to be able to support them.

“This campaign reaches out to provide the best possible education for our seminarians so they may be prepared the best way they can be to serve you, the people of the Church of Pittsburgh.”

Campaign funds will also provide support for the vocations office to expand outreach using traditional and new media as well as special spiritual programs, discernment direction, and retreats.

All the anxiety Stephen felt about which path to choose went away once he made his decision. He received permission to complete a double-major at Duquesne University—philosophy and history, and is on track to graduate in two years.

“We live in a materialistic society. As Catholics, that’s not easy,” Stephen said. “Becoming a priest is a sacrifice, but also a blessing.

“I know I made the right decision,” Stephen said. “Every day is a new experience in growing closer to the Lord.”