Quotations

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep”.

(John 10: 14ff)


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Notices
MESSAGE FOR VOCATIONS SUNDAY
Vatican City, Feb 16, 2010pope_benedict5

Pope Benedict released his message for the 47th World Day of Prayer for Vocations on Tuesday. The message, written on the theme "Witness Awakens Vocations," speaks of the great importance of the witness of priests and religious for encouraging future vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Granting that success in the promotion of vocations depends in large part on the free action of God, the Holy Father notes in his message that, in addition, "the quality and depth of the personal and communal witness of those who have already answered the Lord’s call to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life" also helps to bear fruits, "for their witness is then able to awaken in others a desire to respond generously to Christ’s call."

Vocations Sunday falls on the 4th Sunday after Easter, which this year is April 25th. Please check the links below for the text of the message, or view it by clicking the link to the left.
 

News

US Vocations Awareness Week
'Ten Things That Promote Vocations'

fr_david_toupsThe Catholic Church of USA celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week January 10-16. To encourage Catholics to foster vocations, Father David Toups, author of a hugely successful book on Priestly Vocation, and interim director of the Office of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers "Ten Things" Catholics can do to promote vocations to priesthood and religious life.
The first five steps on this list are directed toward all Catholics. The second five are specifically an invitation to younger Catholics to consider saying "yes" to a religious vocation.
Read more
 
Early Vocations: Christmas Toy Ideas

dolls_yfp_bottom600

It's never too early to get your child thinking about a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life.  WeeBelievers.com has just the gift your little darling needs to shore up his/her commitment to the Catholic Church.  Designed for ages 3-8 (according to the company Web Site) are two huggable plush vocation dolls ($29.99).  They come complete with booklets about their lives and have been specially designed to encourage minority vocations.  The priest doll is Fr. Juan Pablo and the nun is a morenita named Sr. Mary Clara.

Read more
 
Vocations Podcast Worth A Listen
podcast_logoThere are many methods of spreading the vocations message.   This young man from Nashville has chosen to desgin and record this podcast to highlight vocations.  While it is delivered in a casual and relaxed style, there are great insights from listening to the various contributors talk about how they discovered the Lord's call in their own life, but also what brought them to work in this ministry.
Read more
 

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