Let’s ALL work for vocations

by James H. DeNike, USAC President

2003-2004 USA Council Incoming President’s Report

I appreciate your confidence in electing me to council presidency. I promise that I will do my best!
Thank you, Bill, for your great year. Your Affirmation Task Force resulted in some wonderful tributes to the overwhelming majority of priests who honorably serve our church. Also, my congratulations to all this year’s governors. Your position in the USA Council is probably the most critical for our success.
The year ahead is one of opportunities and challenges.

The U.S. Bishops Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation just published a press packet entitled, “Ordination Class of 2003.” In it was a survey completed by 348 of approximately 500 members of this class. One question got my attention:

“What vocation efforts have you experienced?”

* Number ONE, at 40%, was “Come and See Weekends.”
* Number two, at 18%, was parish vocation programs.
* Numbers three and four were elementary and high school vocation events.

Our council has all these programs, and has been conducting them for years, including for the class of 2003. We are on the right track already!

Here’s another indicator that we are on the right track: The Pastoral Plan that is the product of the North American Vocation Congress held last year in Montreal has been published. The good news is, our spiritual development programs and all the work we do for vocations are already consistent with that plan.

My point is: There is nothing new, but more of the same! This is a patient ministry. My concern is that while many clubs are doing a great job, we are not all using these tried and true programs, and not every Serran is personally involved.

District governors, remember when I said your position is probably the most critical for our success? This is where you come in: You have the challenge to see that all clubs are using the vocation tools we have available. Their use can make a difference, as it is at the club level that our work is done.

We cannot accomplish our mission for vocations unless we have our membership in place and functioning. Again, you governors have the challenge:

* All clubs should have a steady stream of new and younger members so that they stay motivated and vibrant.
* Encourage all clubs to take advantage of the talents each member brings.
* Spot clubs early that show signs of weakness, and revitalize them.
* Recognize population shifts in your districts and initiate new clubs.
* Special attention should be paid to dioceses without a Serra club. One-third of the dioceses in this country do not have Serra, and we have to do our best to correct this problem.

At the Council level, we have a particular challenge, and that is to manage our finances. The dues increase that is effective September 1 will allow us to balance our budget, and I promise you, it will balance! We need to increase our reserve so that we can take advantage of opportunities as well as handle surprises. A better net increase in membership will go a long way to building that reserve.

The successful execution of our mission to “promote and affirm vocations to the priesthood and religious life” is vital to the health of our Church. So let us all work for vocations!?

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