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April 2021 Newsletter

Happy Easter! He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thank you to all of you who gave to our Lenten Appeal! What a blessing you are! This newsletter is packed with information on upcoming events you can implement at your parish and/or school. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to keep up to date with our latest news and events! Upcoming Events: -Save the Date for Benefit Dinner (September 14) -Religious Brothers Day (May 1) -World Day of Prayer for Vocations (April 25) -Uplift Your Priest Campaign (April 12-23)

SAVE THE DATE

Please save the date for To Have & To Hold: Celebrating the Sanctity of Marriage, our 3rd Annual Benefit Dinner, in support of Vocation Ministry’s mission of promoting vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and sacramental marriage. We look forward to gathering in person in Houston. We will again offer bidding digitally from anywhere in the country on many silent auction items. Live Auction and Raffle winners will need to be in the room that night. Sponsorships, tables, and tickets are now available at: http://bidpal.net/vocation2021 Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 5:30 pm The Ballroom at Bayou Place Houston, TX RSVP NOW

RELIGIOUS BROTHERS DAY

Purpose of Religious Brothers Day: Bring awareness to religious brothers in the parish and diocese. Visit for more information: http://www.religiousbrothers.org/events/religious-brothers-day/ and https://religiousbrotherhood.com/blog`

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RESOURCES

FOR PARISH Bulletin Blurb Today, May 1st, we celebrate Religious Brothers Day! Brothers live in religious communities. Though not ordained, they take vows and promise to use their talents to serve God wherever the community decides they are needed. Join us in praying for the brothers from our parish/diocese Brother______ and Brother______. Let us praise God for their courage and their generosity. Also, please fill out the spiritual bouquets, which is an offering of prayer, for them. Let us show Br. ______ and Br. _____ our encouragement and gratitude in thoughts and deeds. God bless Religious Brothers! IDEAS Make an announcement at Mass Put picture and information about brothers from your parish/diocese in bulletin or poster at the entrance of the church. Send a care package of practical items to a monastery in your diocese or nearby diocese. Spread the word about the vocation and life of Catholic brothers in the bulletin and beyond. FOR SCHOOL Newsletter Blurb Today, May 1st, we celebrate Religious Brothers Day! Brothers live in religious communities. Though not ordained, they take vows and promise to use their talents to serve God wherever the community decides they are needed. Join us in praying for the brothers from our school/diocese Brother______ and Brother______. Let us praise God for their courage and their generosity. Also, please fill out the spiritual bouquets, which is an offering of prayer, for them. Let us show Br. ______ and Br. _____ our encouragement and gratitude in thoughts and deeds. God bless Religious Brothers! IDEAS Lesson on vows, religious brothers, the difference between priests and brothers. Watch 20 minute interview with Brother Leven Harton, OSB from Vocations LIVE! HERE or a deeper dive into the lives of Benedictine monks (brothers and priests) HERE Make an announcement at school Put picture and info of brothers from your school/parish on a bulletin board, poster, or in newsletter. Send a card signed by the students in your class to the Brothers at a monastery in your diocese or nearby diocese.

POPE FRANCIS' MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

"Saint Joseph suggests to us three key words for each individual’s vocation. The first is dream, service, and fidelity." -Excerpt from the 2021 World day of Vocations Message of His Holiness Pope Francis  The World Day of Prayer for Vocations (April 25th) is a perfect opportunity to engage students and parishioners to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We are confident that the Holy Spirit is still planting seeds, so let us create a vocation-friendly environment to water those seeds. See the newsletter for March with many ideas on celebrating this day HERE.

READ FULL MESSAGE

UPLIFT YOUR PRIEST Our second annual Uplift Your Priest Campaign is happening April 12-23, 2021. The campaign is designed to inspire students and parishioners to support and encourage their priests. We need to let our clergy know that their people recognize their daily sacrifices. Go HERE to find all the ideas and more about the campaign. Find the campaign in Spanish HERE. Don't forget: We will be posting ideas each day of the campaign, so follow us on Facebook & Instagram Tag us: @VocationMinistry Use #UpliftYourPriest #VocationMinistry

APOYA A TU SACERDOTE UPLIFT YOUR PRIEST

Knowing nothing about this ministry, I feel that we received such valuable information from such a dynamic speaker, who is so very passionate about vocations! - Barbara Randolf, workshop attendee

Be Sure to Follow Our Socials

FACEBOOK GROUP: Hundredfold This group is dedicated to laypeople looking for support while promoting vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and marriage. AMAZON SMILE If you shop on Amazon, would you prayerfully consider adding Vocation Ministry as your charity of choice to receive donations? Or you could shop our WISHLIST.

Keep In Touch

Don’t forget to email me with your stories of triumph or struggle. If you have questions, know that I am here to support you in this mission of Building a Culture of 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 JOIN THE LIGUORI SOCIETY