It’s never too early to talk about vocations

by Claire Howard, USAC President

Of course the predominant topic at at the Continental Vocations Congress in Montreal was the need to affirm as strongly as possible our priests and religious. Nourishing people who have accepted the call is so important. To do this we need to be on fire with the Holy Spirit. We need to listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling us. Collaboration with others who are working for vocation efforts is important. We are especially called by God to be on this vocation mission.

Another major thread running through the entire weekend was reaching our youth. And it was obvious that this job needs to be started almost prenatal, like pre-baptism and post-baptism courses. If my two-year-old grandson can sit at a computer and work the mouse, click the screen, etc., we cannot wait for Holy Communion classes to begin the Lord’s work.

I was able to attend my first choice workshop: Parish Family: Planting Seeds for Vocations. The main hub for this action is the parish. The need to help strengthen our parish vocation activities is evident. Beginning with prayer and adoration, moving on to parish education such as parish councils, school programs, parish vocation committees, project Andrew and Miriam, identifying key parishioners who can invite potential candidates, listening to youth, working with young people in social justice programs like Habitat for Humanity or nursing homes, helping peers to identify and support friends showing or voicing an interest and more.

Vocations are born when prayer life comes at the beginning. Therefore, parents are the target for vocation education, which helps parents to realize that they and their children are loved unconditionally by God, and that God delights in them.

“Loaning” this child to parents is God’s plan. Parents are given the gift to raise this child for God, and prayer is an integral part of this plan. Parents are to assist the child in making good decisions, and guide them in discovering their role in God’s plan.

Always, we are called to be a role model for vocations. Whether single, married, ordained or religious, we must let our lives speak for God. Religious vocation work is owned by all of us.

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