A call for new vocations
Ever think about becoming Priest
You yourself may not be able to become a Priest (for many reasons) but could God be asking you to allow him speak through you to someone else that could ultimately be open to a vocation of Holy Orders.
It is not for us to judge who is likely to become a Priest. We leave that to God.
But is God trying to talk to someone through you??
The Lord may only be asking you to open the thought for consideration by that other person.
The role of a Priest is very important to any community. The Priest plays a big part in people’s lives in many different ways. From celebration of all the different Sacraments with his people, to imparting blessings from the Lord, praying with the sick and dying in their hour of need – this vocation is demanding and occasionally lonely but also very fulfilling. You travel a journey with people sharing the good days and the not so good; offering them spiritual fulfillment in many different ways.
We as a people simply need to open the conversation and thought with our youth. We leave the rest to the Lord; but remembering our youth and the urgent need for vocations in our prayers.
Bishop Cullinan: ‘Explore your call to priestly ministry’
During the Spring General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference in Maynooth, the Council of Vocations announced a year to promote Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood, on the theme: ‘Take the Risk for Christ’.
To announce this initiative, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, along with a number of seminarians, priests and bishops attended a photocall in the beautiful and historic College Chapel of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. At of the photocall, Bishop Cullinan said, “when I speak with newly ordained priests, there is a strong correlation between their calling and the influence and encouragement received from a priest who had previously spoken to them about their ministry, about taking the risk for Christ. One of the objectives of this Year of Vocations is to start conversations within families, with priests and in parish communities on the beauty of the vocation of priesthood.”
The year-long awareness campaign will open on 25 April, the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist. On this date a special conference, entitled ‘Evangelization and Vocation’, will be hosted at the national seminary of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. The keynote address will be delivered by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelisation. The Year for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood will run from Vocations/Good Shepherd Sunday, 30 April 2023. It is planned to host events each month in parishes and at pilgrim sites around the country, and to provide resources for homes and schools. The National Vocations Office is responsible for managing the Year of Vocations.
Bishop Cullinan said, “I encourage any man who seeks to explore their calling to priestly ministry to make contact today with your local priest, a priest you know and/or the National Vocations Office in Maynooth on [email protected]. May God bless you on your journey!”
At their plenary meeting, bishops offered the following prayer for vocations (source: the National Vocations Office of the Bishops’ Conference):
Heavenly Father,
we ask you to send labourers into your harvest
and to bless all who strive to listen to your voice.
Inspire, in the hearts of men and women,
vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and
consecrated life.
Bless our families with a spirit of generosity,
so that those whom you call have the courage
to give themselves to your Church in faith.
Send workers into Your great harvest
so that the Gospel is preached,
the poor are served with love,
the suffering are comforted,
and Your people are strengthened by the sacraments.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
William G. Henry & Co., Solicitors
Stewart Fuel Oils, Boyle
