September 2021
TO HAVE & TO HOLD GALA- September 14, 2021
Our 3rd annual gala is only TWO weeks away! We look forward to seeing many of you in person on Tuesday, September 14th. This event is so crucial in allowing us to continue the important work of vocation promotion.

The Ballroom at Bayou Place is a huge venue, so you will have plenty of room to mingle and peruse all of the amazing auction items.

We will also send an email on September 8th with a link to preview the Live Auction items and start the "bidding wars" on the incredible Silent Auction items. Even if you cannot attend in person, you can bid and win Silent Auction items.

 We can’t wait to see how the Holy Spirit works through this event!
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY- September 26, 2021
This is a perfect time for your parish, school, and classroom to start planning how you are going to affirm your priest!
Each fall Vocation Ministry helps guide parishioners and students in showing their priests appreciation. This can take a variety of forms, from a simple note or prayer to a full-blown reception. No matter the form, assuring priests of the gratitude of both the adults and children in your parish and school will stay with him long after Priesthood Sunday.



BEHIND THE COLLAR- October 9, 2021
This FREE virtual event is designed for men who are discerning diocesan priesthood or curious about the life and ministry of a diocesan priest.
In this event you will:
  1. Learn more about Diocesan Priesthood
  2. Meet other men who are discerning or curious about the priesthood
  3. Participate in impactful Q & A times after each presentation

PLUS: AMAZING Bonus Programming from 4-5 pm CDT for US Discerners Only!

When you register you will receive an email with more information and a Zoom link on October 7th. We know this will be incredibly fruitful! Join us and share with your youth minister or young adult who may be curious about the priesthood.
SCHEDULE
12:00pm – 1:00pm CDT – Archdiocese of Newark
1:00pm – 2:00pm CDT – Diocese of Cleveland
2:00pm – 3:00pm CDT – Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
3:00pm – 4:00pm CDT – Diocese of Stockton
4:00pm – 5:00pm CDT – US Discerners’ Hour
NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK- November 7-13, 2021
The National Vocation Awareness Week is an annual week-long celebration dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and marriage through prayer and education.
PARISH

SAMPLE WEEK OF ACTIVITIES
Sunday: Place a bulletin insert from Vianney Vocations into each bulletin. Place a few on the church book rack or vocation table. Pass out a prayer card for vocations or download and print this “ABCs of Fostering Vocations” page.
Monday: Religion teachers and catechists introduce vocations to their students, using the Quick Reference Vocation Guide. Pass out a prayer card to each student – Marian prayer card “Do Whatever He Tells You” from Vianney Vocations.
IDEAS FOR PROMOTION
  • Make an announcement at Masses about activities
  • Ask a priest to speak about vocations at Masses
  • Ask a priest or sister to visit education classes and parish school classroom
  • Invite married couples to speak to youth group
EDUCATION

SAMPLE WEEK OF ACTIVITIES
Wednesday: At the all-school Mass, ask an alumnus from the school, who answered God’s call to become a priest, brother, or sister, to visit and tell their vocation story.
Thursday: Pass out age-appropriate Vocation Worksheets from Vianney Vocations to introduce vocations in a fun way to the students. Teachers could also use Stories of Service or grade-level lesson plans from the USCCB website
IDEAS FOR PROMOTION
  • Give out Table Tents to spur discussion at home
  • Suggest to teachers to play games and show vocation videos to kids
  • Be creative; introduce prayer for vocations this week.
  • Invite consecrated sisters to speak at a Vocations Assembly.
  • Show age-appropriate vocation videos to students
MORE RESOURCES:

I am a teacher, and it made me realize some ways that I can promote vocations at the school!

- Anonymous
Be Sure to Follow Our Socials
This group is dedicated to laypeople looking for support while promoting vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and marriage.
If you shop on Amazon, would you prayerfully consider adding Vocation Ministry as your charity of choice to receive donations?
Keep In Touch
If you have questions, know that I am here to support you in this mission of Building a Culture of Vocations! I love to receive questions or hear how you are promoting vocations!

As always, know that you are in my prayers. If you think of it, please pray for our ministry, too. God bless you!
Rhonda Gruenewald