National Vocation Awareness Week was celebrated Nov. 2-8 in the United States, with dioceses promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
Through prayer and education, in parishes and classrooms, the Camden Diocese renewed its support for those who are considering one of these vocations.
The diocesan Office of Vocations, led by Father Michael Romano, organized a Holy Hour for Priestly Vocations on Nov. 6 at Holy Angels Parish, St. Patrick Church, in Woodbury, part of a monthly Holy Hour that takes place around the diocese.
Two and three days later, on Nov. 8 and 9, seminarians and diocesan priests shared their own vocation stories at parishes all over the diocese during weekend Masses.
On the 9th, as well, the monthly Young Adult Priesthood Discernment Group met at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Williamstown, to hear Father Nicholas Dudo, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Galloway, speak on “The Church and the Eucharist in the Life of a Priest.”
The week, designated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, focuses on vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life, but can also “remind us to be open with whatever God is calling us to be in our lives,” said Father Romano. His office encourages parishes, schools, family, and friends to assist men and women who might be discerning their call.
Throughout the year, his office spreads the message of vocations, through the first Thursdays, discernment groups, and iRace4Vocations in the spring.
During the week, Bishop Sullivan hosted the pastors of the seminarians’ parishes at his residence, gathering with priests from St. Peter, Merchantville; Our Lady of Peace, Williamstown; Our Lady Star of the Sea, Atlantic City; St. Gabriel the Archangel, Carneys Point; Christ the King, Haddonfield; St. Andrew, Gibbsboro; St. Michael the Archangel, Franklinville; and St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Atlantic City.
Priests and seminarians were not the only individuals educating the laity on vocations last week. In parish religious education programs throughout the diocese, instructors discussed vocations to marriage, priesthood, and the religious life in their curriculum.
Pope Francis, in his November 2013 apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, underlined the continued need to build a culture of vocations. “The fraternal life and fervor of the community can awaken in the young a desire to consecrate themselves completely to God and to preaching of the Gospel. This is particularly true if such a living community prays insistently for vocations and courageously proposes to its young people the path of special consecration,” Pope Francis wrote.
To learn more go to www.camdenpriest.org
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