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Creating a Culture of Vocations
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It's 2021!
Praise God! We look forward with hope, praying that in 2021 we seek holiness instead of happiness. True happiness is a natural and beautiful product of holiness!
We also pray that you continue to promote vocations in your parish/school, no matter the situation. In the next 4-6 weeks, we have World Day for Consecrated Life and World Marriage Day. Your activities for these days do not have to be complicated to make a difference. Be creative and make an impact.
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2021 Workshops
We are thankful for the dioceses that continue to work with Vocation Ministry, knowing that God is still calling men and women to step forward in faith and say YES to their vocations, their path to sainthood. This year, we look forward to working with:
- The Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey
Virtual Follow-up Priest & Parishioner Workshop
- Diocese of Syracuse, New York
Virtual Catechetical & Catholic School Teacher
Workshop
- Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania
New & Follow-up Parishioner Workshop
- Diocese of Lubbock, Texas
New Parishioner Workshop
- Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan
Priest & Parishioner Workshop
- Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Priest & Parishioner Workshop
- Diocese of Stockton, California
Follow-up Parishioner Workshop
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How to Describe a Vocation Ministry?
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Some people find it is difficult to express succinctly what their new initiative to promote vocations is all about, so I have written a brief blurb below that you can use for your parish bulletin or school newsletter. Feel free to change it and use it however your ministry sees fit!
Description of a New Vocation Ministry for Parish/School
Jesus often uses rural farming images when speaking about vocations. In looking at the promoting vocations, we use similar images. The goal of a Vocation Ministry is to create fertile soil for the Holy Spirit to plant seeds of holiness. The guiding scripture for our Vocation Ministry is “Some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit yielding a thirty, sixty, and hundredfold.”~ Mark 4:8
We will prepare the soil for vocations in our parish (school) with prayer, awareness, and education, especially for our youth, and affirmation of those already living their vocations. In time, this will bring about a vocation-friendly environment and the Holy Spirit can more easily speak to our parishioners (students).
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Here it is!!! The schedule for Behind the Habit: A Virtual Look into Religious Life for Men. We are so excited for discerning men to find out more about this amazing and diverse set of communities for FREE! This event is designed for those men who are discerning priesthood or religious life or just curious to see more about these communities and how priests and brothers are formed. So, please share about this event in your parish and diocese.
Note: Bonus Programming from 5-6 for US Discerners Only
The registration link is below. Only those who are registered will be allowed into the Zoom event. We know this will be incredibly fruitful!
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The World Day for Consecrated Life is attached to the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. It is celebrated in parishes from February 1st to 2nd to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.
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Parish Ideas
- Download and Use the Bulletin Series about consecrated life below (yellow button)
- Download and Use one of the General Intercessions about Consecrated life (yellow button)
- Post picture and info in bulletin or poster at the entrance of the church of a parishioner in consecrated life.
- If you are in Phase III or IV, you could ask a religious sister, brother, or priest to give a reflection at Masses on Consecrated Life.
- Have the parents of a consecrated person speak at a reception after Masses or another event.
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School Ideas
Art and/or Essay Contest
The activity is vocation centered and allows kids to be creative, focusing on vocations in a different way. Whether the topic is “Saying Yes to God!”, “Come, Follow Me”, or another creative theme, the idea is to encourage the youth to think about vocations in a new way. This is great for a whole school or for an art class to implement.
Panel Discussion for High School Students
Ask seminarians, sisters, priests, brothers to visit, in-person or virtually, to give an opportunity for Q & A about their vocation journey and inspiration.
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Bulletin Blurb Example
We celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life today. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, especially our own parishioners __________ and __________. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.
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World Marriage Day
With World Marriage Day AND St. Valentine’s Day coinciding this year, please make sure your parish/school promotes the vocation of marriage in some way.
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Bulletin Blurb Example
This weekend we celebrate World Marriage Day! Let’s take time to pray for our spouses and each other to uplift our marriages. Do something special for each other this weekend to show your gratitude for your spouse and their YES! Your goal in this Vocation of Marriage should be to get your spouse to heaven. Take time to ponder in your heart how you can do that, starting right now.
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Announcement Example
This weekend we celebrate World Marriage Day! Please pray for the married couples and those in marriage preparation from our parish. God bless all men and women who said YES to the vocation of marriage!
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Liturgy Ideas
- Homily related to the sacrament of marriage.
- General intercessions related to marriage and families.
- A special blessing of married couples.
- A unity candle lit and displayed during the mass.
- Ask a married couple in attendance to present the gifts.
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School Ideas
- Asking students to affirm their parents/ grandparents/or a married couple they look up to is a good way to not only affirm that couple but also bring awareness to the beauty of the sacrament of marriage.
- Interview a married couple on how they met, what makes their marriage strong, and how they keep God at the center.
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Your enthusiasm for Vocation Ministry lit a fire in my heart.
- Kerry Matthyssen
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Be Sure to Follow Our Socials
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This group is dedicated to laypeople looking for support while promoting vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and marriage.
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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.
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