Advent/Christmas:
Amidst the gifts you receive this holiday season, have you considered the God-given gifts within you and how God might be calling you to use those gifts? Is it possible your gifts might lead you to the priesthood? Pray about your vocation and if you are interested in learning more, visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or talk to your Pastor.
Christmas seems to be all about the presents we give and receive; but what about the presence of God in our hearts? Share God’s presence. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
During this Advent season, we prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming into the world. God sends us the greatest gift, the gift of His only Son. He asks in return that you strive to live a life of holiness, a life that fulfills the vocation He has set before you. Is yours a vocation to the priesthood? Prayerfully consider God’s path for you and visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or talk to your Pastor.
From the beginning of Jesus’ life, He was to be our Savior. God has made a special plan for you as well. Have you listened to Him speaking to your heart? Ask God to reveal His special vocation for you and pray that you live it out faithfully. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
God has a gift for you, a vocation. Search your heart. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us. What is our greatest gift back to God? Consider the priesthood. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or talk to your Pastor.
Just as Jesus is God’s gift to the world, your sons are God’s gift to you. Like all good fathers, God wants us to share our gifts with others. Is God calling your son to the priesthood? If he hears God’s call, let him hear your support. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
The Christmas story is filled with signs and people being called by God. Mary was called by the angel Gabriel, Joseph was visited in a dream and the shepherds saw the new star, the sign that the Savior had been born. Is God calling you? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, bringing news of God’s plan for her, she responded to God’s call with a radical YES. God calls you to the same holiness and devotion. Open your heart to God’s plan for you. Search your heart. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
For Children’s Section:
Santa may bring you presents on Christmas morning, but God gives you good gifts everyday! He helps make you a fun storyteller, a good helper for your little brother or sister and everything else that makes you special.
Someday, God may call you to serve as a priest, religious brother or sister, or deacon. Ask a priest, brother, sister or deacon about their special gifts from God!
Lent
As we walk closer to the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection, we strive to unite our lives to Christ. In doing so, we are compelled to seek Him at all times. Have you considered the priesthood as a way of giving your life in service? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or talk to your Pastor.
During Lent, we are called especially to pray, fast, and give alms. Take some time today and throughout the season to pray for religious vocations. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to learn more about vocations to the priesthood.
Jesus journeyed to the desert in prayer for forty days. Now as we celebrate Lent, let us also take this opportunity to reflect and pray. Humbly reflect on God’s direction for our lives so that we might discern our life’s calling. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Lent is a season of conversion of the heart, interior conversion. This conversion compels us to respond to God’s love in visible ways. In what ways will you visibly carry the Gospel this Lent? Think about sharing the gift of a religious vocation with those around you. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Lent is a time for prayer and reflection, and taking time to spend with God. As you spend time with God this Lent, reflect upon what you’ve done to foster vocations in your community.
Our God is not unable to sympathize with our sufferings. He was tested in every way that we are, but He triumphantly passed the test, and we are called to strive for the same. If you have been thinking about religious life, visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or talk to your Pastor about your vocation.
“The human heart is heavy and hardened. God must give man a new heart,” Ezekiel 36:26-27. Allow God to renew you this Lent, that you may be restored to follow His call. How are you being called to begin anew? Talk to your Pastor or visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to discern your calling.
Easter
Easter is a time to celebrate life. Have you ever considered spending your life in service to others as a priest? Talk to your Pastor or visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org for more information.
In this Easter season, we celebrate new life. Do you think you are being called to a new life in the priesthood? Talk to your pastor or visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Ordinary Time
A number of men who think God may be calling them to the priesthood put off seriously discerning this vocation, saying, “I’ve got my whole life ahead of me, I’ll think about it later.” Isn’t it time you let your life begin? If you feel God is calling you to the priesthood, talk to your Pastor or visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org for more information.
A number of priests say they felt called to the priesthood through their ministries as young men – altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, and lectors. Encourage your sons to be an active participant in the Mass and open his heart to a potential call from God to the priesthood. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
All of God’s children are called to holiness, a life of service to God. The priesthood is one avenue for men to find a life of fulfillment and happiness. If you know someone who you think could be called to the priesthood, talk with them about their vocation. Encourage them to speak to a priest or visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
As followers of Christ, we are asked to respond to His call. If you feel God might be calling you to a life of service in the Church, open your heart and discover the priesthood. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or talk to your priest to learn more.
Christ spoke of the talents each one of us has, talents, which must not be hidden. Our calling is to take these talents and develop them fully. Are you using your talents to fulfill your vocation to service? Take some time today to reflect on how you might use your gifts to serve the Church. Search your heart. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or talk to your priest to learn more.
Creating an atmosphere, in which children can hear the Lord’s call, is one of the most significant responsibilities resting on the shoulders of parents. Do you encourage your children to embrace the faith, thinking of Christian ministry and a religious vocation as a possible life choice? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to learn more about fostering vocations in your family.
Do you know there are special seminaries for men entering the priesthood later in life? Many of these men, ranging from 25-60, had thought about being a priest, but had pushed the idea to the back of their minds. They are men from diverse backgrounds who have found a second vocation, the priesthood. Could you be one of them? Talk to your priest and visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to learn more about second-career vocations.
Do you see anyone in your parish or community that you think would make a good priest? Tell him, and encourage him to think about his vocation. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
Encourage your sons and daughters to be involved in the Mass through serving as lectors, musicians or Eucharistic ministers. Ask them to use their talents to serve God and His community and help open their hearts to a potential calling to the priesthood or religious life.
Entering the seminary is not a one-way ticket to the priesthood. It is a place where a man can discern God’s true calling. If you think you are being called to the priesthood, talk to your Pastor and visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org for more information about what the seminary could do for your discernment.
Everyone wants their children to be safe, secure, and above all else, happy. Ninety-eight percent of priests are happy in their vocations, yet less than 20 percent of young men are encouraged to consider the priesthood. God wants us to follow our true vocations, the ones He has laid before us. If your son hears God’s call to the priesthood, let him hear your support. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to learn more about fostering vocations in your family.
Family life can build values integral to a strong vocation – whether to priesthood, religious life, diaconate, the single life, or marriage. Teaching your children to value commitment, service, and prayer will help them as adults to live out their vocations with success and fulfillment.
Holiness is every Christian’s first vocation. Dedicating ourselves to holiness begins real discernment, because holiness opens us to the will of God. If we set our hearts on a desire for holiness, God will make us holy and lead us according to His plan for us. Pray about your vocation. Talk with your priest and visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
If you want priests, work for vocations. Encourage those you know to consider religious life; visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
In the Old Testament, Samuel was awakened from sleep by the voice of God calling his name. In the New Testament, Paul was knocked to the ground. How does God catch your attention? Are you listening? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
It is in discovering the greatness of God’s love that the heart is shaken. Allow your heart to be shaken. Search your heart. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Jesus was sent into the world to tell us about the Father. Could you be called to do the same? Could God be calling you to spread the Gospel as a priest? Open your heart to a potential vocation to the priesthood. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or talk to your Pastor.
Lord, foster religious vocations in our church, our community, and our family. Lead all of us in holiness to better live out our individual vocation. Amen.
Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to learn more about the vocation of priesthood.
Parents, by your lives and example, you can foster vocations in the Church. Include the priesthood as a possibility for your children and encourage them to search their heart and find what God is calling them to do. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
“Search me, God, know my heart; try me, know my concerns. See if my way is crooked, then lead me in the way everlasting,” Ps 139:23-24. As You search my heart, open me to your direction for my life. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
“The gifts we have we are given to share.” Share your gifts. Consider the priesthood. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
The Liturgy enables us to live a deeper spiritual understanding of salvation. How do you live out the liturgy in your daily life? Have you thought about encouraging the men around you to consider the priesthood? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to learn more about fostering vocations.
Three things anyone can do for vocations:
1. Pray for vocations
2. Support those considering the priesthood or religious life.
3. Encourage people to think about their vocations.
We have all been asked to pray about vocations, but how often are we actually open to this prompting of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Is it possible the Spirit might be calling you to a life of prayer and service in the Church? Search your heart. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to learn more about the lives priests lead or talk to your Pastor.
What kinds of people become priests? Are they hidden in a monastery praying, untouched by the challenges of the 21st Century? No, they are people with the courage to touch lives, hearts and souls in a high-tech, un-churched world. Are you that kind of person? Search your heart. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
When did you last encourage someone to consider religious life? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Other Special Occasions
New Year’s:
As you celebrate the New Year and think about the year ahead, take a moment to think about your vocation. Is God calling you down a new path this year?
This year, make a New Year’s resolution to encourage vocations in your parish.
Epiphany:
Not everyone receives a star in the sky as a sign from God. We must listen to our hearts to hear God’s most quiet and loving calls. Open your heart and prayerfully discern the vocation God has awaiting you.
Valentine’s Day:
On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate love; but, let’s not forget the love that God has for us. In His love, God calls us to a vocation. Have you thought about yours? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
St. Patrick’s Day:
St. Patrick was called by God to spread the Word of God in Ireland. Is God calling you to spread the Word? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
As a missionary, St. Patrick spread the Word of God and encouraged men to become priests. Follow St. Patrick’s example by encouraging the priesthood in your community. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
Pentecost:
On Pentecost, Christ sent the Holy Spirit upon his apostles, enabling them to spread the Word of God throughout the world. You, too, may be called to spread God’s word through your vocation. Search your heart.
Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Baseball Season:
In the bottom of the ninth, a baseball manager calls his closer into the game. At this time, could God be calling you to a vocation? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Father’s Day:
This Father’s Day, think not only of the fathers, grandfathers, and other men who have helped guide and support you throughout your life. Think also of the priests who have guided and supported your spiritual life. Are you being called as a priest? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
Football Season/Superbowl Sunday:
Every football team needs the quarterback to be a strong leader. The church needs strong leaders, too. Be a leader. Consider the priesthood. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org.
Every football team needs a good leader, and this person is the quarterback. A football team is a lot like a church, and the members of the church need priests to guide, support and teach. A priest has The Word and Tradition as his playbook and God as a head coach. And just as the quarterback needs the support of fans in the stands, a young man considering the priesthood as a vocation needs the support of his family, friends and community. If you or someone you know is considering the priesthood, visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org for more information.
Just as a football team needs fans in the stands to cheer and support, a young man considering the priesthood needs the support and encouragement of his family and community. Support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
Just as any good football coach has a plan for the game, God has a plan for your life. Are you open to God’s plan? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
All Saint’s Day/Week:
Today/this week, we celebrate the saints; the people called by God to serve others. Is God calling you? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
God had a special plan for all the saints he called to do his work. God has a special plan for all of us, called a vocation. Have you thought about yours? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
Thanksgiving:
On Thanksgiving, we take time to give thanks for the many gifts we have. How are you using your gifts? Consider the priesthood. Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
This Thanksgiving, as you spend time with friends and family, think: is there anyone you should talk to about the priesthood? Visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org or visit your Pastor.
