Parish Vocation Ministry

PARISH VOCATION MINISTRY PROGRAM

The growth and development of the personal desire to become a priest or a religious has as its frame of reference, in the first place, the family, and in a second place, in a broader sense, the Christian community. This material is intended to guide the Christian community, especially within the parish, on the task of promoting vocations. It is Jesus Christ who calls us, and we must respond.

I SECTION

"The duty of fostering vocations pertains to the whole Christian community, which should exercise it above all by a fully Christian life. The principal contributors to this are the families which, animated by the spirit of faith and love and by the sense of duty, become a kind of initial seminary, and the parishes in whose rich life the young people take part." (Vatican II, Decree on Priestly Formation Optatam Totius, Article 2.)

CHRISTIAN VOCATION

Through the sacrament of baptism, Christians receive a vocation. The first and fundamental vocation is to follow God in the world. When the word "vocation" is used, Catholics refer not only to the baptismal call but also to other specific states in life, for example, marriage, priesthood, and religious life. The word "profession" indicates the work a person does within a particular state of life. Here we are referring to vocations, not professions.

Parents and those who work with youth have a great responsibility. Their role is to put before the eyes of these young people the possibility of choosing a vocation for life. Therefore, they help them decide on a path, but they do not decide for them. Aware of the common call through baptism to the dedication and service of God and of the people and to the commitment to be a positive influence in the world, each Christian must choose, with the help of prayer, how this should be carried out in the best way.

As for the particular vocation, no one is better than the other. In the Church, there are many paths to holiness. These paths are to be pointed out by those who work with youth so that young people can choose wisely and freely with the help of divine grace.

THE PARISH FAMILY

Everyone recognizes the vital role of the family in the spiritual and total growth of the children. What can be said about an individual family can also be said about the parish family. Within an welcoming atmosphere, understanding, encouragement, and hope, all growth types are possible. If young people are to respond to God's love, then the parish family must provide a suitable background. It is impossible to speak of a vocation program in a parish without mentioning those important areas that contribute to and make possible a living Christian community. We are referring to the joyful celebration of the liturgy, a dynamic catechetical program, an effective proclamation of the Word of God, a close relationship between the priest and the people, and a missionary sense within the Church and the world.

PARENTS

Finally, a vocational program should touch not only the youth but also the parents of those youth. It should help them gain an adequate understanding of their role and responsibility concerning the formation of children, both as persons and as children of God. Our social conditions should be taken into account along with the many problems such conditions pose. The decision to choose a particular Christian vocation always requires generosity and sacrifice. It is difficult for young people to make wise choices. To the extent that there is an authentic Christian spirit in the parish, family, and home, such decisions may be possible, though they are not easy.

II SECTION

"Within the diocesan and parish communities, it is necessary to appreciate and promote those vocational groups whose members offer their help in prayer and suffering for priestly and religious vocations, as well as their moral and material support.” (Pope John Paul II, "I will give you shepherds" Pastores Dabo Vobis, Article 41).

COMMITTEE FOR VOCATION MINISTRY

While the entire parish community has to promote a suitable climate where young people can become aware of the particular way they live their Christian vocation, this responsibility should fall first and foremost to a specific group within the parish. In the past, we have often stuck our nose in everything and done nothing. Therefore, we recommend that a committee be carefully chosen to animate the vocation ministry within each parish.

Such a Vocation Committee will help the parish set fixed goals and a definite schedule of activities. It should manage and become familiar with vocation literature, assist the parish youth in participating in diocesan vocation events, maintain an interest of parish members who are in the seminary, and serve as a link between the various groups represented and the parish vocation coordinator. Most importantly, the committee should take the time to develop a better understanding and appreciation of the priesthood and religious life.

Although the details of a Parish Vocation Ministry Program vary depending on the size and constitution of the parish, some general guidelines can be given for all parishes. First, the program revolves around disseminating information, seeking to stimulate a response in the people who receive it. The aim is to distribute enough information while collaborating in other activities that involve youth and adolescents. This approach must be embraced at the same time with the joyful and real example of the priests and religious of the parish who must give authentic witness through the personal giving of their lives. Because the most significant vocational influence (in the good sense of the word, it is not a question about "pressure") comes from those who are in contact with youth (parents, teachers, priests), then an intense living of the priesthood and religious life is truly desirable.

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

The committee should be comprised of at least 5 members.

  • Moderator: The pastor or associate pastor, or the parish administrator.

  • Chairman: A mature layperson who can be a good leader. This person will be in charge of all program coordination within the parish and assist in the admission of other committee members.

  • Members: Who to invite? Some suggestions: Outstanding parish leadership; a couple of young parents; the school principal; the director of religious education; a permanent deacon; a religious brother or sister; young people in college or university studies; a member of the Knights of Columbus; a member of the Serra Club; the director of youth; any representative of various parish organizations. For the group to be effective, it should not be too numerous.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The Vocation Committee is a parish group whose function is to promote religious vocations (among God's People within the parish).

  • Its responsibility is to carry out activities that will develop, promote, and disseminate a sensitivity for vocations through audiovisuals, events, competitions, talks, and prayer.

  • It is not the responsibility of the committee to investigate potential candidates. This responsibility is reserved for the diocesan or religious vocation director.

MEETINGS

The committee should meet once a month and schedule events assigned to each member for follow-up or for a particular member to act as the event leader. All carried out programs should be filed with their own evaluation and some recommendations for the benefit of other Vocation Committees.

FOLLOW-UP

A parish vocation ministry program should be aware of those who are already in the seminary or in any religious formation. The parish vocation committee should take a personal and active interest in any parish member who is preparing for the priesthood and religious life. These young people are a living witness to others who may feel inclined to follow them.

III SECTION

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES FOR VOCATION MINISTRY WITHIN THE PARISH

  1. Offer a monthly Mass for vocations.

  2. Promote parish participation in Holy Hours.

  3. Maintain a living prayer for vocations through prayer cards, the prayer of the faithful, etc.

  4. Each parish group should plan an annual meeting to discuss the Church's need for vocations.

  5. Vocational issues should often be addressed at parish meetings, parent meetings, open dialogue, panels, vocational talks, etc.

  6. All catechists and teachers in Catholic schools could organize a conference this year to discuss vocations.

  7. Make posters with vocational motifs.

  8. Regularly write something about vocations in the parish bulletin - it helps to fill in gaps.

  9. When time permits, if there are priests, brothers, seminarians, and sisters in the parish, it would be a good idea to invite them to parish activities.

  10. Encourage specific families to pray for vocations.

  11. Encourage those who are suffering or who are handicapped to offer their struggles for the welfare of vocations.

  12. To help the parish prepare well to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which occurs on the fourth Sunday of Easter.

  13. Pursue a greater vocational awareness in elementary and high school students, either through a particular lesson or other means.

  14. Encourage higher education students to participate in vocational discernment programs.

  15. Request general information from the Diocesan Vocations Office for distribution to schools and colleges.

  16. Encourage members of the parish Vocation Committee to participate in Serra Club activities.

  17. Invite recent college and university graduates to participate in vocation discernment retreats.

  18. During October, take homily space to speak about the parish vocation ministry program and its calendar. (Please note that National Vocation Week begins on the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

  19. Organize the community to have a monthly hour of prayer for vocations.

  20. Invite people who are knowledgeable about vocational issues to speak at various meetings.

  21. Invite seminarians or religious postulants to speak to young students in their parish.

  22. Place announcements about vocational weekends organized by the seminary.

  23. Make scheduled visits to the seminary or religious houses.

  24. Publish in the parish bulletin an article about priests or religious, or ask them to write something for the bulletin themselves.

  25. Mount a Vocation Exhibition that is animated by various religious men and women, by priests and seminarians.

CONCLUSION

The work done by the Parish Vocation Ministry Committee is not easy. It goes slowly, and the results are not immediately apparent. It has to reach deep into the life of the parish and its parishioners. Being called by God in baptism is both a blessing and a mystery. To help a person live out that call in freedom, joy, and love is truly splendid work.