St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. John Paul the Great, Fr. Solanus Casey — the Catholic Church has had many heroes over the years.

  But for the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Office of Priestly Vocations, heroes don’t just come in extraordinary forms; sometimes a hero can be an ordinary priest who sets an example for others, especially for those who are discerning a vocation.

  That’s why the office, headed by Fr. Joe Horn, is recognizing four Detroit-area priests it says have made a difference to those around them.

  “We’re doing this because we want to help the priests in each region feel a sense of love and prayer from people,” Fr. Horn said. “We want to show their love and service in the Church in not going unnoticed.”

  Highlighting heroic priests is an admirable goal, with one fallback: most priests are quick to shun the spotlight.

  “We had to convince them we’re not trying to raise their pride,” Fr. Horn said. “The nominees are very humble about it. We told them why they were selected and how it was related to getting the message out.”

  The first batch of hero priests — Fr. Horn is hoping to make it an annual award — is Fr. Tom Lumpkin of Day House in the Central Region, Fr. Joe Esper of Immaculate Conception Parish in Ira Township in the Northeast Region, and Fr. Socorro Fernandes, SAC, of St. Valentine and Our Lady of Loretto parishes in Redford Township in the South Region. Fr. Horn said the Office of Priestly Vocations is working on securing the nominee from the West Region.

  “We want the laity to come forward with how they’ve been inspired by these priests,” Fr. Horn said. “That’s how community works, we work to help, serve and honor people in the community who do so much for others.”
Fr. Fernandes was one of the reluctant award recipients but admits the campaign might help encourage vocations.

   “At first, I thought a heroic priest was supposed to be humble and not accept the award,” Fr. Fernandes said. “I don’t know about who nominated me or how the decision was made. I always show my priestly life being happy, and I tell others it’s a good life, and I never complain.”

  For the complete article: www.aodonline.org.  Under the Michigan Catholic.

Editors note: “We are very proud of you Father, and we are very blessed to have you as our Pastor”!