National Vocation Awareness Week 2018

“Let us serve God with holy joy.” ~St. Gaspar del Bufalo

Sunday, November 4 marks the beginning of National Vocation Awareness Week (Nov 4-10, 2018).  It is an annual week-long celebration promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

As we each are called to reflect upon our own vocation and ministry in our lives, I challenge and encourage you to reflect upon the great joy your ministry has brought to you and to others as you continue to serve God’s people.  In the words of our founder, “Let us serve God with holy joy,” we are called to find that joy in our lives and share it with others.  

This Sunday’s responsorial psalm is “I love you, Lord, my strength.”  These words remind us of the one who first loved us and what is our response in return.  

As ministers of the word, we are called to invite others to join us in the ministry.  Christian life comes with many choices.  National Vocation Awareness Week is designed to help promote vocation awareness and to encourage young people to ask the question: “To what vocation in life is God calling me?” Will you be called to the single life, consecrated religious life, ordained priesthood, or married life?

As we reflect upon the readings for the weekend of Nov 3/4, may we also take the time to reflect upon our own vocation as well as inviting others to consider his or her vocation to serving God’s people.  In addition, bulletin inserts (both in Spanish and English)  have been sent out to all the parishes we serve.  They should arrive by Monday.  Please let me know if you don’t receive them.

Finally, as we reflect upon the readings and National Vocation Awareness week, I also encourage you to visit the Bishops website for more homily hints and other resources for the week.  NVAW-reflection

Fr. Timothy