My View

by Ed Verbeke, USAC Executive Director

President-elect Jim DeNike speaks of our vocation ministry as a “patient ministry.”

Many of us are uncomfortable with this concept of “patience.” We have become an “instant” people; a people looking for a fast and easy answer to whatever it is we want to accomplish, from cooking rice to ridding ourselves of a headache, or refinishing furniture. “There’s gotta be an easier way,” has become our battle cry.

The Holy Father has asked that we help “create a culture of vocations.” By definition, this request implies that it will take time. . . and patience.

During the Regional Director/District Governor Planning and Training sessions conducted every February, we stress the importance of preparing an 18-month calendar for regions or districts. This is really something that each club should do as well. If we are going to be truly effective in our vocation ministry, in creating a culture of vocations, we are going to have to plan to be effective. Now is not too late to be planning for this year.
A lot has been written lately about the economic crisis in the United States and especially about the difficulty many major corporations are having in achieving their objectives. Most of the commentators do not fault the planning. They fault the execution of the planning.

One way to help create a “culture of vocations” is to make our young and not so young people aware of vocations. The week of January 12-17, 2003, has been designated as the National Vocation Awareness Week. The planning has been done by our partner vocation organization, the National Coalition for Church Vocations (NCCV). Materials are available from them at 1-800-671-NCCV. The execution is up to us. If your parish or neighboring parish has a Vocations Committee you should get them involved. If your parish has a Pastoral Council, you should get them involved.

Our efforts cannot stop with vocation awareness programs. They must continue with invitation, support, prayer and affirmation programs. As President-elect Jim DeNike says, it is a patient ministry. We can help plant the seed but it must be nourished. We have to start, and now is the time.

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