In 1972, the U.S. Catholic Church had 57,000 priests and 48 million followers.

Last year, there were 15,000 fewer priests - and 19 million more Catholics.

But the Harrisburg diocese is hoping more young men will hear the calling. This week in Maryland, the diocese is helping them listen.

One hundred young men between ages 15 and 25 from the Harrisburg diocese gathered at the Mount St. Mary's campus in Emmitsburg, Md. to consider the priesthood at a retreat called Quo Vadis Days.

They enjoy mass, spiritual reflection and physical recreation.

"You go from playing mass to playing football within the same hour, and they see us as people who love our faith, have a good time and enjoy the life God's given us," said Father Ramond LaVoie.

Bishop Kevin Rhoades started the retreat. "Quo vadis" is Latin for "Where are you going?," and Rhoades hopes a few will choose to go into the priesthood.

Sal Kerstan of New Bloomfield attended Quo Vadis Days a few years ago, and it convinced him to become a seminarian.

"Just seeing how happy priests and deacons are - and even seminarians, how happy they were too in the seminary - I said, 'I think this is for me,'" said Kerstan.

Sal is desperately needed. This year, three large parishes were reduced from two priests to one.

"That's because we had four retirements, but one ordination," said Rhoades. "This is a tough year."

The young faces at Quo Vadis Days could be the answer to a lot of prayers.

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