What can we do as a Parishioner?

To Promote Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life?

Exhibit Love for Your Faith

By showing love for your faith, you can provide the parish community with a powerful and personal witness to the importance of living one's vocation as the Lord intended. You can be a model for others who are searching to find out where God is calling them.

Extend an Invitation

Many people claim that they were never invited to explore a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Extend this invitation to a young person who you think might have a religious or priestly vocation. your invitation could make a difference in someone's life.

Get to Know Priests and Religious

Whether it is sharing a meal, taking a walk, or simply having a conversation after mass, make an effort to get to know priests and religious. Your communication and respect will foster a greater awareness and understanding of priesthood and religious life in the church.

Attend Mass

Celebration of the Eucharist is a fundamental aspect of our faith. Gathering around the Lord's table will serve to strengthen the bond you have to your faith and the bond you share with the parish family. It is a strong parish family that produces priestly and religious vocations.

Support Parish Functions

Your participation in parish functions is important. Not only will you benefit in terms of your own spiritual growth, you will be setting a fine example for your friends and neighbors. Having the parish as a focal point in your life can be an impetus for others to do the same. Such an atmosphere gives rise to church vocations.

Say Thank You

We all know that it feels good to be thanked for a job well done. Say "thanks" to priests and religious. It is encouraging for them to know that the generous life of service is appreciated. This appreciation sheds a positive light on priestly and religious vocations. Your show of gratitude may lead others to do the same.

Serve in Parish Ministry

In the Gospels Jesus directs each of us to a life of service. Your service in the activities of your parish will help create the life-giving environment necessary for the nurturing of religious and priestly vocations. let us fulfill this Gospel message by sharing our gifts.

Pray

Of all the ways we can work toward the increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, prayer is undoubtedly the most essential. Make a commitment to pray for vocations everyday. Also, consider praying for a particular priest or religious in your parish.

Participate in Vocation

Take part in the events of Vocation Awareness Week by praying with others throughout the diocese for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Check the parish bulletin or vocation bulletin board for details regarding vocation activities. Your presence and support will enhance the effectiveness of these events.

Encourage Cooperation Among the Different Ministries in Your Parish.

It is only by the cooperation of the entire community, with members responding to the vocation they received through baptism, that we will be able to create the proper environment to foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let the Holy Spirit lead the way!