Speaking of "Vocationally Aware"....

The Catholic Standard ran a marvelous story about a terrific parish in my town that has had great success in forming vocations:

Strong evidence of daily and numerous prayers for vocations showed up in a small, informal picnic for priests who grew up at Sacred Heart Parish in Bowie. Three priests and a seminarian, most in their twenties and thirties, came to the July 12 picnic with their parents to enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, deviled eggs, fruit salad and other food. The only questionable thing being served at the picnic was water - parents joked that there must be something in the parish's water that is awakening the call to so many vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Msgr. Charles Parry, pastor of the parish, said "the environment of the parish, and the environment of the home are just the right ingredients," for vocations. The parishioners "really have a great love for the Church, and the Church's teachings, and a great respect for vocations," he said. The parish also boasts the early formation of two sisters who joined the Institute of the Servant of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara, two men studying to be priests with the Legionnaires of Christ, and several permanent deacons. Father RobWalsh, the secretary to Cardinal McCarrick and the assistant director of vocations, is another priest who grew up at Sacred Heart Parish, but couldn't attend the picnic. "The hand of God is on this place; from the day I came here I saw the hand of God is on this place," Msgr. Parry said.The pastor said parishioners pray for vocations at every Mass, and they know the vocations prayer by heart. Msgr. Parry was inspired to write the prayer while walking the parish grounds.

Read the whole thing.

Is Your Parish "Vocationally Aware?"

The following came from a vocations summit in the Archdiocese of Baltimore:

These 8 points for establishing a ‘vocationally aware’ parish were highlighted by a pastor who currently has 6 parishioners in religious discernment:

-Eucharistic Adoration
-Active Youth Group
-Happy Priests
-Opportunities for youth to connect to the greater church: retreats, world youth day, attending archdiocesan events, ordinations, connecting to the pope
-A Place/Role for everyone
-Family Friendly Church: parish picnics, annual events
-Openness/support of homeschooling
-Seminarian Presence

Vocation Challenge!

This parish has an abundance of vocations! Nine women are discerning religious life and 20 men are seminarians; all from this parish alone! Would your parish be willing to take the Vocation Challenge? Imagine what the Church could accomplish if all parishes tried to top that!

contributed by Maria