PARISH VOCATIONS

PRAY for Catholic Vocations

ENCOURAGE those who have found their vocation

ACCOMPANY those discerning their vocation

CELEBRATE and raise awareness of vocations

EDUCATE parishioners and youth of the joy and beauty of Catholic vocations

Why do we need the Parish Vocation Ministry ?

The Imperative of Vocational Growth: Rebuilding the Catholic Church in America

The decline in Catholic affiliation and practice within the United States over the past half-century presents a significant challenge. Reversing this trend requires a multi-faceted approach, fundamentally rooted in fostering the vocations that sustain the Church. Specifically, a renewed emphasis on marriage and family, alongside the ordained and religious life, is paramount.

The Parish Vocations Ministry, built upon the “PEACE pillars,” offers a strategic framework for this revitalization. By cultivating an environment that encourages and supports these vocations within individual parishes, the Church can address the root causes of its decline. The principle is clear: strengthening sacramental marriage provides the fertile ground for thriving Catholic families, from which future generations of faithful Catholics, priests, deacons, religious sisters, nuns, and brothers will emerge.

Ultimately, this focused effort on vocational growth serves as a direct response to Christ's call to evangelize. By nurturing the very vocations that embody the Church's mission, we can effectively rebuild its foundation and ensure its continued presence in the mass and the sacraments as a beacon of faith and spiritual guidance in the United States. The revival of these essential callings is not merely a desired outcome, but a necessary step in fulfilling the Church’s enduring purpose.

What can we do.

Evangelize and grow the Catholic church to increase the number of candidates for all vocations.

Promote and increase the number of sacramental marriages to increase the number of good holy Catholic families.

Include single parent families.

Teach Catholic families of the beauty of all Catholic vocations including the ordained and consecrated.

This will increase the number of the ordained (priests and deacons) and consecrated (sisters, nuns, brothers and others).

A Parish Vocation Ministry Is ?

A small group of parish vocation ministers supported by existing parish ministries that ;

Prays for all vocations.

Encourages people who have found their vocation to carry on with joy.

Accompany's those who are discerning the call to marriage, the ordained or religious life.

Celebrates and raises awareness of the need for Catholic vocations.

Educates youth and parents about the need and beauty of Catholic vocations.

Grows the faith of the ministry members and supporters.