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+ Include the following intercession at all
Masses on the weekends of Jan. 13
or 20, 2013
May God’s Holy Spirit call courageous women and men
to leadership in the church,
in lay ministry, religious life, and ordained ministry:
we pray to the Lord.
+ Add this notice to the front of your parish bulletin
each week, in the section which gives information concerning
Sacraments:
The Sacrament of Holy Orders and Religious Life: If you are
considering serving God as a priest, deacon, or religious, talk to your
pastor; or contact the diocesan Vocation Office at 804-359-5661 or
visit us www.richmonddiocese.org/vocations
+ Include this announcement in your parish bulletin:
God is calling…Are you listening? This week,
the church celebrates
“Vocation Awareness Week,” a time to reflect on Christ’s invitation
to follow him in a life of discipleship
and service. In baptism, we are
united to Christ’s people – through the Spirit,
we are called to serve Christ’s
people. As this New Year begins, consider the
ways in which God wants to work
through you to change the world. If you feel
called to serve the Lord through a
life of lay ministry, ordained ministry, or
religious life, contact the Office of
Vocations for more information: www.richmonddiocese.org/vocations.
WHAT
ELSE CAN WE DO TO RAISE VOCATION AWARENESS?
+ prepare a parish bulletin board, highlighting those priests,
deacons, nuns and lay ministers who have ‘grown up’ in your parish, or
those who have served there
+ have Religious Education programs and schools do a special
class on vocations during this week – see the vocations web page for
suggested lesson plans
+ invite parish groups to ‘adopt’ a seminarian and write to him
during the year
+form a parish vocation committee –photos and biographies of our
seminarians are available on the vocations web page at www.richmonddiocese.org/meninblack.
+ name a parish vocation representative to serve as a contact for
information
+ host a holy hour or some other prayer event for vocations
+invite the Vocation Director to lead a twilight retreat, evening
of reflection, or other event for your campus or young adult group
+ start the Vocations Chalice/Vocations Crucifix program in your
parish, using the prayers and suggestions available through the
Vocations Office
+ form a ’31 Club’ of folks who are willing to pray for vocations
each day of the month
+display the new vocation posters and other materials in your
public areas
+ arrange for the Vocation Director to speak at your parish
+ encourage the Knights of Columbus and other parish groups to
support a seminarian
+ each year - Priesthood Ordinations are held the First Saturday in June
at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond. Bring your youth groups to the priesthood ordination of Rev. Mr. Joe
Goldsmith, Rev. Mr. Chris Hess, Rev. Mr. Carlos Lerma, and Rev. Mr. Sean
Prince on June 2, 2012 at the Cathedral of the Sacred
Heart. Or plan to attend the diaconal ordination of
Mr. Gino Rossi on March 3, 2012 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
+ include prayers for vocations at Sunday masses and daily masses
– samples available from the Vocations Office
+ use the vocations DVD, “Fishers of Men” at a parish youth or
family gathering, along with the discussion questions enclosed with the
DVD. Additional copies available from the Vocations Office
+ be aware of upcoming vocation retreats and discernment groups
+ encourage students to participate in diocesan retreat programs
and campus ministry
+ arrange in ‘in service’ day for teachers, catechists, or staff
with the vocation team
+ pray using our Prayer for Vocations prayer cards which are available
from the Vocations Office in English or Spanish
+ explore the vocation web page for other ideas (www.richmonddiocese.org/vocations)
+ highlight our BEHIND THE COLLAR vocations web page
at www.behind-the-collar.com
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