November 3, 2024

Dear Parish Family:

This week is National Vocations Awareness Week.  Celebrated November 3-9, 2024,  this annual week is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

God calls each of us to a particular state in life: married, single, ordained, or consecrated. It is His plan for us, His dream for us.  He has placed within us all the gifts, talents, and potential needed to fulfill that expression of our discipleship. It is what He has made for us.  We must listen for God’s voice and follow that lead.  How do we know that we are going in the right direction and doing what God wants us to do? We have peace of mind and joy of heart. Even in the midst of challenges, if we are following what God wants us to do, then we have a sense of contentment, hope, and trust. He calls some to serve in the ordained and consecrated life. Vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life are not just things of the past. 

God continues to call. The Church continues to need. We must continue to invite vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. These are gifts from God.  But they are nourished and nurtured by families, parishes, and school communities. This is a task for all of us! It means taking inventory of what we are already doing and what we can be doing.  Do we pray for vocations: at parish Masses, in our PREP classrooms, at our parish organization meetings, and in our families? Do we have conversations about vocations?  Do we encourage our children and students to think about vocations? Are we bold enough to ask someone in whom we see the gifts that would make a good priest or sister if they have ever thought that God might be calling them?

Here’s a little challenge for all of us.   What if we all said just one Hail Mary a day for an increase in vocations … especially from Good Shepherd Parish.   Imagine the power of that prayer.

Grace and peace!

Father Neil Sullivan