As Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach, I am happy to welcome you to this website for our Office of Vocations. I hope this site gives you an appreciation of our wonderful Diocese and a deeper understanding of the sublime vocations of priesthood and religious life.

As a priest, I have been privileged to serve God’s people in many ways and in different areas. I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn, where I also served as an Auxiliary Bishop. I was then assigned as Bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, the most northern part of New York State bordering Canada. From there I was called to serve here as Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach, where I have been very happy for four years.

I wanted to be a priest because I felt the priest represented God in a unique manner and could offer to people something no one else could. All of my experiences have underscored for me the importance of priesthood and the joy of being able to be an instrument of Christ in serving His people. Through the priesthood, and most especially through the celebration of the Eucharist, Christ comes to us and helps us to appreciate better what the real meaning of life is all about. That also is true of religious life.

As you browse this site, I hope it helps your understand more of the joy of priesthood and religious life. I pray it also helps some of you to consider whether God may be calling you to be a priest, deacon or religious, and particularly here in the Diocese of Palm Beach. The call is there - it needs to be answered!

May the Lord fill you with His grace and His peace.

Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito
Bishop of Palm Beach