From the Pastor’s Desk:

This weekend is celebrated as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  In our prayers at Mass we pray especially for Vocations to the priesthood, religious life and for holy marriages.

We might expect that the concept of a religious vocation may be difficult for a young person to understand, however I am surprised how many adults many times misunderstand the concept of vocation, especially as it pertains to their lives.  Do we have a vocation shortage today?  The simple answer is “NO”, the larger answer is “YES”.  We need to understand that all people have been called, through our baptism to live a life in Christ, filled with the Gospel values, to share with one another the Good News of Jesus in our daily lives.  We might live this vocation as a religious, a priest or deacon.  Perhaps we might live it as a mom or dad, a husband, or a wife.  We might live this vocation as a single person.  How we understand our call to live the Gospel values in our life is our discernment of our vocation.  So we do not have a vocation shortage, we have a shortage of ordained ministers, consecrated Brothers and Sisters.

It takes prayer and careful discernment to know if you are being called to priesthood or religious life, and eventually you have to enter a seminary or convent to be sure.  Formation takes years and you can leave the seminary or religious life at any time.  One of the big questions that young people talk with me about who are looking at a religious vocation is that of celibacy.  Contrary to what we see in the media, sex is not the key to happiness.  Yes God made us with strong sexual desires, which find their proper expression in marriage, but not only is celibacy possible, it is a sign of the reality of heaven, since no one is married in heaven according to the scriptures.  Both Jesus and St. Paul recommend celibacy for those who are called. (Matthew 19:10-12; I Cor. 7:34)

In looking back over my life as a priest, my vocation has led me to serve in places where people are hurting and where people are celebrating life.  My vocation has been to young people as well as to our seniors.  I have taught in our Catholic Schools, in parishes, in Camp Renewal, been spiritual directors of TEC, Cursillo’s, Happening’s, and serving on different Diocesan committees.  I have tried to use the gifts and talents that God has given me to help lead others to a deeper relationship with God.  Many different surveys show that one profession consistently ranks number one for personal happiness, Clergy, and religious sisters and brothers.  They are some of the longest-living people in the world. This weekend please keep our seminarians in prayer, that they will answer God’s call in their lives, whatever that call be.  Please pray for all young people who are considering a religious vocation.