National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated Nov. 6-12 in the United States, with dioceses around the country, including the Diocese of Camden, promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
The observance is an opportunity for the Catholic Church in the United States to raise awareness for the need for vocations “through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said in announcing the week.
Remarking how “God calls each of us to a life of service,” Father Adam Cichoski, director of priestly Vocations for the Diocese of Camden, said the week is also a good time to demonstrate “the joy and happiness found in living out the call” to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.
To this end, the Diocese’s seminarians will share their own vocation stories at parishes during weekend Masses Nov. 5-6, inviting faithful to “pray and discern where God is calling them in their own lives,” Father Cichoski said.
In addition, on Nov. 20, from 2:30- 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine in Lindenwold, a monthly discernment group will be continue to be offered for young men, ages 16-39, to “learn more about priestly vocations, and meet and pray with those also discerning this call.” The theme this month is “Pray Without Ceasing.”
Dates and themes for future discernment groups (locations and times the same as Nov. 20):
Dec. 18: Behold Thy Mother
Jan. 8: “Come and See” Life as a Seminarian
Feb. 5: Proclaim the Gospel to Every Living Creature
Mar. 12: Whose Sins You Forgive Are Forgiven Them
May 7: I am the Bread of Life
For more information on the Diocese of Camden’s monthly discernment group, visit www.camdenpriest.org.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
