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Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time -- September 29, 2024 - Priesthood Sunday “Whoever is not against us is for us.” Pray for your priest. They heard God calling them to the priesthood and chose to serve Christ. Now, they enrich our spiritual well-being everyday in the name of God. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time -- September 22, 2024 “The Lord upholds my life.” He indeed is our strength and foundation. Pray and ask him sincerely if he could be calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life. Talk to your priest or reach out to the Diocese of Peoria Office of Vocations (309) 671-1550. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Diocese of Peoria Office of Vocations (309) 671-1550 Priestly Vocations Fr. Patrick Henehan [email protected] Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck [email protected] Diaconate Msgr. Timothy Nolan [email protected] Terri LaHood t[email protected] Consecrated Life as a Religious Brother or Sister Msgr. Jason Gray [email protected] |
THE VOCATION BASICS - “Vocation” means “call.”
As Catholics, we believe God calls individuals to fulfill certain roles in the Church, both for their own holiness, and the good of the entire Body of Christ. HOLINESS IS OUR COMMON GOAL - Holiness is everyone’s primary vocation. Holiness means trying to be like Jesus. It means being a “whole” person: striving for virtue, avoiding sin, and living a life of love. After the decision to follow Christ and seriously pursue holiness, your vocation is the most important decision in life. HOLY MARRIAGE - Most people are called to marriage—to wholeheartedly love their spouses and to joyfully welcome children. The purpose of marriage is for a man and woman to help each other get to heaven, and to teach their children to do the same. Like any vocation, marriage must be discerned, not assumed. CONSECRATED LIFE - Both men and women can join religious orders such as the Franciscans, Dominicans, Benedictines, etc. The life and work of religious orders varies greatly—some are primarily devoted to prayer; others work actively in schools, hospitals, orphanages, etc. Common to all religious orders are the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. PRIESTHOOD - Priests bring Jesus to people and people to Jesus through preaching and the sacraments. Priests are very active as they counsel people, teach classes, prepare homilies, administer parishes, and much more. Many surveys show that priests are among the happiest people in the world! Deacons, too, share in the sacrament of Holy Orders. DEDICATED SINGLE LIFE - Some people serve God as single people, without marrying or making special vows. While not a “vocation” in a strict theological sense, single people “contribute greatly to the good of the human family” (CCC 2231). “Some live their situation in the spirit of the Beatitudes, serving God and neighbor in exemplary fashion” (CCC 1658). There are many single people who serve the Church with incredible generosity. ~ from Vianney Vocations |
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Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus Christ, Shepherd of souls, who called apostles to be fishers of men, raise up new apostles in your Holy Church. Teach them that to serve you is to reign: to possess you is to possess all things. Kindle in the young hearts of your people the fire of zeal for souls. Make them eager to spread your Kingdom upon Earth. Grant them courage to follow you, who are the Way, the Truth and the Life; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. Prayer to Know Your Vocation Heavenly Father, you created us in such a way that each has a vocation in life to pursue for the good of the whole human race and your Church. Help me to know my vocation and to follow it with joy and dedication. No matter what problem I encounter, let me never lose hope, aware that you have given me the grace and talents to succeed in any vocation you call me to. Amen. |