Here are some resources given by the Vocations Committee. Among these are prayers, homilies and scripture reading suggestions.
If you are interested in any of the material, please click on the links to download them (.pdf). A few prayers follow these links.
Good Shepherd Sunday Suggestions
Our Vocation Commission would like to assist in any preparations for the Good Shepherd Sunday. Here are a few ideas we have gathered from the Vocations Resource Binder sent to you last fall. Please feel free to use any ideas from this letter or from the binder that you find appropriate for your parish.
Announcement before mass
Greetings on behalf of the Diocesan Vocation Commission! It is with a sense of renewed hope and faith that the Vocation Commission is back in action. Our mission is to bring awareness to our God-given vocations. Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and it is a day dedicated to prayers for Vocations. It is also an opportunity to reflect on our call to bring the message of hope to all the world.
Opening Prayer
Dear Lord, as you call men and women from amongst your faithful people; help us each to foster this call with our prayers and support. May you strengthen each of us so that our lives and our words proclaim your goodness. Give us your spirit to guide those from our community to hear Your call, so that, with our assistance, they may faithfully answer Your call.
Homily and reflection ideas
Homily and reflection ideas are shared in the resource binder. Several homilies are provided.
Intercessions on the theme of vocations
- For our families, our communities, our parishes: that they be places where God is at home and where His call to service may be heard and answered. We pray to the Lord.
- For those who serve our parish communities as ordained priests: that they may be faithful and devoted to their call, and that we may be appreciative of their service. We pray to the Lord.
- For those called to religious life: that they be devoted servants of God’s people and powerful witnesses of God’s love. We pray to the Lord.
- For the married and single persons be holy witnesses of Christ’s love for his church and dedicate their lives to living out the call they have received in baptism. We pray to the Lord.
Many other intercessions are available in the resources binder.
Prayers for Vocations
O God, who enlightens the minds
And inflames the hearts of the faithful
By the Holy Spirit,
grant that through the same Spirit,
I may know my true vocation
in life, and
may have the grace to follow it faithfully.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Bulletin Insert
Good Shepherd Sunday is a very special Sunday dedicated to prayers for vocations. The Gospel is about Jesus our Good Shepherd and you are asked to pray for those who have responded to God`s call to priesthood and religious life, especially (names from your parish). We are also reminded to pray for persons considering vocations to priesthood, religious life or lay ministry. Please take a few moments to pray for an increased response to His call.
Projects to begin in your parish
In your Parish Resource Binder you will find may simple ideas to begin in your parish to raise awareness toward vocations. Please take a few moments to review them. Here are a few we would like to highlight for you:
- Parish Vocation Cross – each week at the end of mass a family is given a special cross to bring home and dedicate prayers for vocations for the week. Each week another family will receive this cross.
- Each week you may say a special prayer for vocations.
- A special symbol could be presented (a stole) during the presentation of the gifts
Thank you for your continued dedication and prayers for vocations. Members of the Vocation Commission:
Father Matthew Nguyen
Director of Vocation Commission
Lorel Trumier
Chair of Vocation Commission
Warren Dungen
Director of Youth Ministry and member of Vocation Commission
Sr. Janna Tumbach
Member of Vocation Commission
Nicole Banadyga
Member of Vocation Commission
Dave Dorosh
Treasurer and Member of Vocation Commission
Prayers for Vocations
Prayer composed by the
Diocesan Vocations Commission in 2003
Lord, let me know clearly
the mission you have in mind for me
and grant me every grace I need
to answer your call
with courage, love and
lasting dedication to your will.
Amen
Show me The Way
Show me the way, Lord; your Church needs me.You called me in baptism to be one of your people.
I now pray that your people may grow. Lord, give your Church dedicated men and women to serve you as priests, deacons,brothers and sisters.
Help them spread your Word and show your love so that all people may know your Name.
And show me the way, Lord,
so that I may love you better.
I make this prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Send Your Spirit of Love
O lord, you desire that all persons become your apostles
and be witnesses to your Word. Send your Spirit of Love
to inspire more dedicated persons to serve You and your people.
To those already serving you, impart your gifts
of fidelity, strength and peace. May the Spirit who you send us
captivate our hearts and enable us to grow in your love.
AMEN.
Fidelity to One’s Vocation
Heavenly Father, give those who live in the married state,
and those who live as single persons in the world the special grace that their lives require.
Keep your priests, deacons, sisters and brothers zealous in your service. Give us all the fidelity and perseverance needed to live out our vocations in the world.
Form us in the likeness of your Son, so that in Him, with Him, and through Him we may love you more deeply, and serve you more faithfully,always and forever.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. AMEN.
Vocations Director
Rev. Matthew Nguyen
St. Joseph Parish
260 - 25 St. East
Prince Albert, SK S6V 1S7
Email: st.josephschurchpa@sasktel.net
Ph: (306) 764-4942
Fax: (306) 764-4413
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