National Vocation Awareness Week

11-05-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

This week is National Vocation Awareness Week (Nov 5 – 11). So, what does that mean? It’s a time to help make people aware of the fact that everyone has a vocation – the primary one is to be holy; rather basic, but not so easy all the time. However, then, each of us is called by God to a particular vocation/state in life. In faith, we understand that each of us does not live merely for ourselves, but for God – realizing that it’s part of our true nature as followers of Jesus to follow His plan for our lives in a particular way.

So, after prayer and discernment, some people are drawn to or feel called to marriage / family life (Sacrament of Marriage). The couple who raises a family provides a spiritual and truly human foundation and formation for themselves and their children. This is the central vocation, from which the other vocations arise. Still, there are other people called by God to dedicate themselves in service to Christ and His Church by serving as an ordained priest (Sacrament of Holy Orders), or as a religious brother or sister (nun). These people are willing to forsake having a spouse and children to offer themselves completely to their particular calling. And, some of them, may also be called to a quiet and contemplative life of prayer in monasteries or abbeys. There are others who live in the world as lay persons and dedicate themselves to the Lord as consecrated virgins. Then, there are some lay men who are called to marriage/family (Sacrament of Marriage) and also to ordained service to Jesus and His people as Permanent Deacons (Sacrament of Holy Orders). Then, there are lay persons who feel called to serve the Church in what’s called lay ecclesial ministry. They are gifted lay people who may be married with families who share their gifts and talents, often having obtained advanced degrees, to work in some area of Church ministry, most often in parishes as Directors of Faith Formation or Pastoral Associates, but also in hospitals, schools and prisons as chaplains.

National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States and it’s dedicated to promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life, in addition to lay ecclesial ministry – through prayer, invitation, and education. It’s a time to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. There are prayer cards available at the doors of the church for you to share with younger family members. This week is a reminder to raise the issue of vocation to the young people in our lives and ask them to what state in life / vocation they believe God is calling them. One question you could ask is: “What do you think God wants you to be when you grow up?”… not just the usual question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Help them to think about the options available to them among those described above. You may not only lead them to consider a vocation that could powerfully transform their life, but also the lives of countless people who will encounter the living God through their ministry.

God bless you!

Fr. Bob