Hi all,

It just occurred to me that you all might be a good source of ideas for me. I AM the vocations committe at my local parish. It's something that interests me because I appreciate priests so much and am really concerned about what we are all going to do without enough of them. Anybody have any good ideas for programs that encourage vocations? Anything that works at your parish? The only thing (so far) that this parish has done is a Family Chalice for Vocations program (which asks individual families to pray for vocations in their homes). And we are working on having a seminarian from the diocese come to speak on vocations one weekend this fall.

Oddly, people in the parish sometimes seem a little hostile to the idea of promoting vocations. They seem so annoyed that 1) priests aren't allowed to marry, or 2)women cannot be ordained, that they just won't deal with the issue. It's as though they are so angry that they are just not going to try to do anything about it the way things stand. It's so frustrating, from my perspective. Such a narrow-minded view of things. Oy.

I'm new to this. If anyone knows of something that works or seems like it might please let me know.

Thanks!

love, Jane

-- Jane Ulrich (carlos.eire@yale.edu), July 27, 2000

Answers

JANE: maybe you can get some ideas from the followoing page:

World Day for Consecrated Life The Bishops' Committee on Vocations The Bishops' Committee on Priestly Formation Frequently Asked Questions Re: Vocations Vocations Research Frequently Requested Church Statistics Articles on Vocations Ordinations: Class of 1998 Ordinations: Class of 1999 Publications for Vocations & Priestly Formation Prayers for Vocations The National Strategy: A Future Full of Hope Related Vocation Sites Site Tree

Welcome to the Secretariat for Priestly Formation and Vocations. The Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation serves the Bishops' Committees Vocations on Priestly Formation. Each committee has a distinct agenda and role in serving the diocese and bishops of the United States. The Bishops' Committee on Vocations (BCV) is presently implementing A Future Full of Hope, A National Strategy for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Dioceses and Archdioceses of the United States through an Ad Hoc Steering Committee. In addition to the national organizations of vocation directors, the Steering Committee represents other organizations concerned with vocations, including Serra, NCCW, Knights of Columbus, Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry, and the NCEA Seminary Department. This effort seeks:

a renewed emphasis on prayer for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life; the assistance and cooperation of national organizations with an expressed interest in vocations;

the development of a national media effort to promote vocation awareness through a positive image of priesthood and consecrated life;

research to clarify the characteristics of successful candidates for priesthood and consecrated life and determine what invitations and programs attract candidates;

the distribution of materials to assist dioceses and religious communities in carrying out the vocations apostolate;

the promotion of programs of vocation awareness that are attentive to the cultural diversity of the Church in the United States. The BCV also maintains regular communication with the national organizations of vocation directors: The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD) and the National Religious Vocations Conference (NRVC). An ongoing concern of the Committee is the promotion of effective vocation information in religious text books and catechetical materials.

The Bishops' Committee on Priestly Formation (BCPF) continues to work with bishops and seminaries in matters relative to the Program of Priestly Formation, which provides the norms for seminary formation in the United States. The BCPF has developed a voluntary visitation program to assist seminaries in evaluating and strengthening their programs. As many as six seminaries have hosted a visitation each year and the visitation teams are composed of bishops and seminary personnel.

The Committee also works with bishops and dioceses on other matters concerned with seminary formation. Recently, they have been involved in discussion of such matters as the screening of seminary candidates, the utilization of resources relative to seminary programs, and the formation of seminary personnel. The BCPF maintains ongoing communication with the Seminary Department of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and the Formation Committee of the Congregation of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM).

The above photo is from the Corel Galleria at www.corel.com. The image is for viewing purposes only and may not be saved or downloaded.

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NCCB/USCC Home Page Vocations Home Page

The National Strategy: "A Future Full of Hope"

Research Frequently Asked Questions Statistics

Articles Publications Prayers

Site Tree Related Outside Sites

__________________________________

Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000 January 11, 2000 Copyright ) by United States Catholic Conference

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), July 28, 2000.

Catholic Priestly Vocations, from Ages 20 to 70

Mt 4, 19: Come after Me, I will make you fishers of men!

Peter and the Apostles are the ones Christ told to become a fishers of men! Our Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles follows the same path. WE FIND AND HELP FORM FOR THE CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD MEN FROM THE AGES OF 25 TO 65, or younger, or older, where there are signs of a true calling from God.

Give your vocation a chance. --> With our help, get yourself into a seminary formation program, then become part of a Catholic Diocese or Religious Order, including us. Contact us at my e-mail address--> prayfr@hotmail.com or at the Provincial's Office, 33 Prospect Hill Rd, Cromwell, CT. 06416 You can also call (860)632-3039, or 632-3019.

God bless you, and give you the awareness, the love, the conviction -- the courage, the persistence you need. The Church needs you! Christ died for you!

Sign Guestbook

Read Guestbook

Links: Holy Apostles Seminary--> http://www.holy-apostles.org/ Missionaries of the Holy Apostles, Peru--> http://members.xoom

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-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), July 28, 2000.

Vocations Online

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Sponsored by:

Joliet Diocese Vocation Office

Men's Communities

Women's Communities

Diocesan Vocation Offices

Emmaus Days for Young Men

Life Directions Retreat

||Discernment || Priesthood || Seminaries || ||Religious Life || Lay Ministry || Diaconate || Secular Institutes || || Pope John Paul's 2000 Message for Vocations || || Vocation Directors' Page ||Article on Celibacy || || What's New || Story of My Life || Information || Survey || || NEW FAQ's for Older Priestly Vocations || || Emmaus Days for Young Men || Life Directions Retreat for Young Adults || || Vocations and the Internet Presentation || Other Sites || This page has been referenced times.

Copyright: 2000 by Joliet Diocese Vocation Office, Fr. John Regan , Director

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), July 28, 2000.

Articles on Vocations

New Steps in Promoting Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life by Bishop Paul Loverde Three Goals for Vocation Directors: Priesthood

By Bishop Gerald Kicanas Religious Life: Who is Invited, and to What?

By Sister Doris Gottmoeller, RSM Needed: Full-Time Vocations Directors

By Archbishop Elden Curtiss Why Becomes a Priest, Sister or Brother Today?

by Cathy Bertrand, SSND Vocations: When Parents Just Say No

By Reverend Timothy T. Reker Only Paul Tossed from Horse; Most Vocations Nurtured Quietly

By Peter Feuerherd Maintaining Vocations Friendly Parish is Year-Round Job

By Ed Miller Culling Vocations Via Prayer, Stewardship, Catholic Schools

By Chuck Webber My Son the Priest

By Eileen C. Marx My Daughter the Nun

By Eileen C. Marx In Los Angeles, Vocations Programs Flourish

By John Allen Serra: Calling and Supporting by Name

By Jay Copp The Vocation Question: Answered in the Heart

By Philip A. Nero

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NCCB/USCC Home Page Vocations Home Page

The National Strategy: "A Future Full of Hope"

Research Frequently Asked Questions Statistics

Articles Publications Prayers

Site Tree Related Outside Sites

__________________________________

Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000 April 08, 1999 Copyright ) by United States Catholic Conference

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), July 28, 2000.

SERRA INTERNATIONAL FACT SHEET

Objectives

- To foster and promote vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life, and to encourage its members to fulfill their own Christian vocations to service.

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Internationalism

- There are 624 Serra Clubs in 32 countries with a total membership of over 20.000 laypersons. During 1994-95, 15 new Serra Clubs were chartered worldwide.

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Theme

- The theme for 1995-96 is La Caritas: The Essential Principle of Christian Commitment. The 1995 International Convention on july 3-5 was held in Genoa, Italy. The 1996 Convention will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on july 5-7. The theme is, Christ: The Living Water.

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Leadership

- Serra's 1994-95 International President is James F. Mertes of Houston, Texas. The Serra International President-elect is Eric Selley from London, England. The Serra International Interim Executive Secretary, Edmund Verbeke, heads a staff of seven in Chicago, Il. The Serra International Episcopal Adviser, Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss, joins with Officers, Trustees, International Committee Chairpersons, District Governors, Club Officers, Chaplains, and Members in furthering Serra's mission.

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Meetings and Conferences

- Serra Clubs meet two to four times per month. The clubs are organized into Districts, which meet annually. The Districts are organized into Areas to which a member of the International Board has been assigned as Trustee. The Area Council meets twice annually. In addition, the Serra International Board approves the formation of various National Councils around the world. International Conventions are held annually and are attended by representatives from all Serra Clubs.

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Serra International Foundation

- Created in 1951, the Foundation develops the financial resources necessary to help Serra International meet its worldwide objectives. Grants are made to organizations that promote the goals and objectives of Serra. The 1994-95 Foundation goal is to raise $ 475.000. These funds will promote vocation activities, including three external grants, membership extension, and International and US/Canada committee programs. Worldwide in its scope, the Foundation accepts direct contributions and planned gifts. John W. Dunn is the Executive Secretary of the Serra International Foundation.

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Historical Information

- The first Serra Club was formed by four Catholic laypersons in 1935 in Seattle, Washington, USA. The founding Serrans chose as their organization's patron Blessed Father Junipero Serra, the 18th Century Franciscan missionary to Mexico and California, who founded many missions there. Serra is aggregated to the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education and the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations. In 1986, Serra International voted to welcome women, as well as men, to membership in the organization.

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-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), July 28, 2000.

Enrique- Wow. Thanks. It will take me a while to go through all these but they look great. I like reading this stuff too. Thanks so much for your time and effort. You're FAST too! I am so impressed.

God bless you-

Jane

-- Jane Ulrich (carlos.eire@yale.edu), July 28, 2000.

Hello, Jane. Congratulations and God's blessings for generosity in tackling a difficult task.

There is a good 1995 newspaper article from my diocese that may help you. It tells about the unusually large number of priestly vocations here in the Diocese of Arlington (Virginia). (There are many [a very high number per capita] in several other U.S. dioceses, such as Lincoln and Peoria.)

When you reach the end of the article, I think that you will conclude that much of the chance for success lies in the decisions that have been made, and will be made in days to come, by your (arch)bishop. It would probably help your work if he were to adopt some of the policies and programs used in Arlington -- perhaps the most important being the establishment of a house of contemplatives (orthodox nuns or monks) and the institution of parish Holy Hours and other forms of Eucharistic Adoration (preferably Perpetual Adoration, as we have had at my parish for over fifteen years). These are "prayer engines" for conversion and vocations.

From what you told us, an educational effort, through homilies and diocesan newspaper articles, seems also to be needed. If almost all married couples of child-bearing age in your diocese have accepted "unhelpful" ideas about ordination, and/or if almost all are contracepting (so that they have only one son or none at all), they must gradually be led out of those shadows by the bishop and the priests. Otherwise, there will be almost no young men in your diocese who are encouraged to enter the seminary by their parents, teachers, and pastors.

Your (arch)bishop may even need to "clean house" by making sure that none of his Catholic grade schools and high schools have teachers that promote dissent or even heresy. Also, if you have parishes that are staffed by priests from heterodox religious orders, the bishop will have to ask them to relinquish control. (I believe that both of these kinds of actions were taken here by our previous bishop, John Keating, who died about two years ago. Our new bishop, Paul Loverde, was formerly in Ogdensburg, New York. He seems to be an even greater man than Bp. Keating.)

The longtime (but young) vocations director of my diocese is quoted in the article I linked for you above. You may want to write to him directly for help in your work. His address is: Rev. James R. Gould, Pastor ... St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church ... 8900 Triple Ridge Road ... Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039.

I will begin to pray for the success of your efforts, especially if you will now decide to speak to your (arch)bishop about things that he can do to improve the situation. (Some bishops may not be flexible in this area.)

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), July 28, 2000.

Hey thanks John- I'll look at all this too- I think I may have read the article on the Arlington diocese somewhere, I can't remember where. If it's the one I'm thinking of it was really good.

I totally agree about the prayer and Eucharistic Adoration ideas. I've brought them up a couple of times. Well that didn't go over real well.

All your ideas are great, but they presume that people might actually listen to me and think I have something valuable to say. Unfortunately (in this case, although fortunately in others!) very few seem to assume that a 46 yr old mother and housewife has anything valuable to say. What I am trying to get across is that I have no power or influence at all, so I don't think I'll be talking to the Bishop.......

I'll read thru all this tho- I'm sure I'll get some good ideas.

Thanks so much.

Love, Jane

-- Jane Ulrich (carlos.eire@yale.edu), July 28, 2000.

Hi John, I forgot to say thanks for your prayers too. Certainly I and everyone need them nowadays. What a mess this vocations thing is. So discouraging sometimes. Anyway thanks.

Love, Jane

-- Jane Ulrich (carlos.eire@yale.edu), July 28, 2000.

Entiendo que se piden sugerencias para promover voacaciones al sacerdocio. La mejor de todas es la que Cristo seqals:

"La mies es mucha, pero los operarios pocos. Pidan pues al dueqo de la mies, que envme operarios a su mies" Lc 2.10

Entonces lo que debemos hacer es:

1-- orar

2-- orar

3-- orar, sin cesar. Joshua

-- Joshua Zuniga (joshuazuniga@usa.net), July 30, 2000.

Seak vocations not only in the young, but in the middle and old. The young are shallow, the middle and the old are deap with life. They have lived and felt and loved and learned. They have often wressled with the doubt, and hurt of life. Their time may be shorter, but they are strong. Sean

-- Sean Cleary (sean_cleary@bigfoot.com), August 28, 2000.

1) Educate the laiety. There is a beautiful course called Education For Ministry by the University of the South. Educated laiety may just be happy with the education, or may want more.

2) There is an old Christian tradition of meditation and silent prayer. Get the laity interested. Get them involved. Get them to be more. Allow God to inspire them. Read the Cloud of Unknowing and find out where people have taken this.

Only one of the three priests-canidates from our parish went through any of these, and he was inclined that way before, so I am not sure of the effectiveness of all this. Still the results may be worth it, even if not in the number of priests, the number of awake/active Catholics would grow. And some would listen to your message, I would think. Sean

-- Sean Cleary (sean_cleary@bigfoot.com), August 28, 2000.

I think vocations are down in America because of poor family education. I have 6 children and 5 left the Church. My wife and I depended on CCD and didn't teach them ourselves (this was in the 60s and 70s). Now I realize that we parents,not our children, should have take CCD and then taught our own children. Also I think much of CCD is watered down these days. Most Catholics stopped their religious education in the 8th or 12th grade. We all need refreshers. Many Catholics are woefully ignorant of their religion. One of my acquaintances though the "rapture" was a Catholic doctrine. If parents learned their religion better and taught their own children then vocations would flourish.

-- curt lampkin (curtlampkin@charter.net), June 02, 2004.

i know that when they are young, at least bi-weekly lessons in catholocism are going to be mandated in my household. when they are teenagers they WILL attend mass and WILL continue their own education, and i will discuss catholic matters with them often. when they are ready to move out of my house, they may choose their religion.

there is a stupid arguement out that children should be nurtured but not directed, and that they should be allowed to choose their own faith and commitment. HOGWASH! why would we even consider allowing a child who doesnt understand proper credit card use, cant vote, cant drink responsibly, cant even live on their own, to always make the proper choices regarding religion? we CAN'T and we shouldnt force our children to scrap for themselves when it comes to going to mass.

the saying "if you love your children you'll discipline them" fits even better with "if you love your children you'll ensure their spiritual growth"

-- paul h (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), June 02, 2004.

Curt and paul,

You are both absolutely correct. Once a week CCD cannot be relied upon to teach the Catholic faith, nor can Catholic schools. Parents must intervene. Curt says: If parents learned their religion better and taught their own children then vocations would flourish.

Bingo Dawg! (as David likes to say). Has anyone ever heard the amazing story of the town of Lu in Italy? Here it is:

THE PRAYING MOTHERS OF LU MONFERRATO - Town of 3000 produces 323 vocations

The little Village of Lu, in northern Italy, is one of the Church's unique examples of spiritual motherhood for priests and religious. This village of almost 3,000 inhabitants is in a rural area 50km east of Turin. It would still be completely unknown even today if, in the year 1881, the family mothers in Lu had not made a decision with 'serious' consequences.

Some of the mothers held within their hearts the desire that one of their sons become a priest or that a daughter place her life completely in God's service. Under the direction of their parish priest, Mons. Alessandro Canora, they began gathering every Tuesday for adoration before the tabernacle, asking the Lord for vocations. They received Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month with this same intention.

After Mass all the mothers prayed a prayer together, requesting vocations to the priesthood. Through the trusting prayer of these mothers and the openness of the other parents, a deep atmosphere of joyful, Christian piety developed in the families, making it much easier for the children to recognise their vocations. Did the Lord Jesus not say: "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Mt 22:14)? That is, many are called, but only a few respond to the call.

No one expected that God would hear and respond to the prayers of the mothers in such an extraordinary way. From this tiny village of Lu came 323 vocations, 152 priests and 171 nuns. More than 100 of them are still alive today.

As many as 3 or 4 vocations came from some of these families. The most famous example is the Rinaldi family, from whom God called 7 children. The most famous of the Rinaldi brothers is Blessed Filippo Rinaldi, who became the 3rd successor to St John Bosco as Superior General of the Salesians. Pope John Paul II beatified him on April 29, 1990.

As in the Rinaldi family, many of the vocations from this small town became Salesians. It is certainly not a coincidence for St John Bosco visited Lu 4 times in his life. Even on his first visit there he took back with him 6 young women who wanted to join his congregation in Turin.

During another visit he concelebrated the first Mass of his spiritual son, Filippo Rinaldi. Filippo always happily remembered the faith of the families of Lu: "A faith that made our fathers and mothers say, 'The Lord gave us our children and so if He calls them, we can't say no.'"

-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), June 02, 2004.

Brian, Thank you for that beautiful story! It borders on miraculous and is simply marvelous. This goes to show the power of prayer. Also, I believe prayer changes our disposition and makes us more open to God and His will. This love of God overflows and is noticed by others. You know when you're around a joyful person, the room lights up and you feel God's peace? I believe prayer brings this and must be what brought about this wonderful incident.

Curt says: If parents learned their religion better and taught their own children then vocations would flourish.

I agree. Although I wish to become Catholic (converting from Protestant), I sincerely believe that the influence of this was the strong Christian faith of my parents and the solid Bible teaching that I received in church, coupled with God's grace in my life. I was taught Bible stories from a young age, and taught to memorize Scripture. A growing love for God and studying His Word (along with the influence of strong Christian people) was what brought me into the Catholic faith. And now I finally understand God's calling in my life -- I believe it is to the sisterhood.

Brian said: Did the Lord Jesus not say: "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Mt 22:14)? That is, many are called, but only a few respond to the call.

Interesting observation. I never thought of this verse as applying to religious vocations, but perhaps you are right. In my experience as a Protestant, I know many young women who feel God's call to service or "missionary" work. I think they, like me (previously), cannot figure out how this calling will work. Often (I have seen several cases of this), they feel the call but get married and stay in the USA not doing ministry. I believe it is partly because their call did not quite make sense to them (as mine did not to me).

I felt this call in some sense (around age 13 or 14 and throughout my teen years) but I could not quite make sense of it, since in Protestantism it didn't seem that it would work out right. I remember telling a friend, "I wish there were Protestant nuns," because I realized that the life of a nun would be best suited for what I felt called to do. Since I did not believe in the truth of the Catholic faith at the time, I came to a semi-conclusion that I must have been wrong and God was not calling me to that after all. I am not one of those types of women who are super-independent, so I did not see myself going out into the mission field on my own. (Not to mention the fact that this is not a Scriptural idea, as Jesus Himself sent out the apostles in pairs.) The pressures and complications of marriage and children would make the mission field out of the question for me, I think. So I was confused about my calling and longed for more. I believe that is why God brought me to the Catholic faith at the time He did, in order to show me this so that I could understand my calling.

God bless,

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), June 02, 2004.