BULLETIN INSERTS AND PRAYERS

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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

For an increase of men and women willing to explore a possible call to priesthood or to religious life, let us pray .. .

For our seminarians, as they continue their study and discernment and move toward ordination for service in our diocese, let us pray . . .

For all those young people who are asking God to direct them in a life choice, let us pray .. .

For all parents, that God will inspire them to promote vocations to priesthood and religious life as they raise their children . . .

For all who minister in our Church, for those who support and call and affirm them, let us pray . . .

For postulants, candidates, and novices in religious communities, that they may feel God’s love and support as they continue their discernment, let us pray . . .

For the religious communities whose members minister in our diocese, that they may be blessed by new members, let us pray . ..

For all priests, in gratitude for their service, their witness, and their love of God and God’s people, let us pray .. .

For priests and deacons, religious sisters and brothers, that they may find great joy in the vocations to which God has called them, let us pray . . .

For the young men who live in St. Isaac Jogues House, our diocesan house of discernment, that their discernment may be filled with peace and willingness to serve, let us pray. ..

For our vocations team and for all vocation ministers, let us pray . ..

BULLETIN INSERTS
PRAY FOR VOCATIONS!
God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  


BULLETIN INSERTS

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PRAYERS

Lord, the world is filled with so many messages. I need your help
to hear your true message. I want to be ready to answer your call
in whatever way it comes to me. May your voice find its way to
my heart, that by listening to you, I will become the person
you have called me to be. AMEN.

Lord God, I so want to do good! Help me to be like Jesus,
to serve others with my hands, my heart, my whole being.
With your grace, I can be Christ present in our world today.
Call me as you will, Lord. AMEN

Jesus, we ask for the grace to recognize and respond
daily to our Baptismal call—to serve others and to carry on
your work.

We pray in particular for those in our parish and diocese
that you are calling to serve in the priesthood, religious life,
and diaconate. May they not run from your gentle invitation;
rather, may they courageously listen to the stirrings within their
hearts to “come follow You.” AMEN
- Adapted from Vocation Committee Prayer,
St. Helen’s Church, Schenectady, NY

Creator God, life is your gift to me.
Through Baptism you invite me to share the gift of my life in service to others.
Be with me as I choose each day to show your presence in the world.
Give me the courage and generosity to respond to your love, to your call.
Open the minds and hearts of other men and women that they may accept your challenge to build the Kingdom of God. AMEN.

Loving God, you plant seeds of hope and faithfulness within our hearts and water them with your grace and mercy.
As we pray for vocations to ordained and religious life, give joy to your servants and help us to patiently tend what you have sown.
May our lives be abundantly fruitful for your kingdom, where you live and reign with the risen Christ and the Spirit of wisdom and light.
AMEN
- Father Dick Martini

Loving God, you gift us with life. Through baptism you have called us to new life. May we be a sign of your love in the world.
We pray that you will continue to fill women and men with an abundance of courage to follow the path you set before them today.
May those who feel compelled to serve as lay ministers, brothers, sisters, and priests be blessed with passion and vision to make the world a better place.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
- Sister Marie Scott, CSA

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God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

IN TALKING WITH YOUR CHILDREN, have you neglected to raise the call to Church ministry? The process of answering God’s call begins in childhood. Throughout adolescence and adulthood, the attitudes assumed in childhood begin to influence the course of one’s life. A vocation or a talent will not grow to fruition unless it is nurtured in childhood and adolescence by a parent.

Often children talk about what they want to be “when they grow up”: doctors, lawyers, athletes, nurses, movie stars, teachers, and carpenters. They may talk about these roles, but do they ever talk about being a priest, sister or brother? You are the hand of God — encourage your children to consider Church ministry.

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

WHAT KINDS OF PEOPLE become priests, sisters or brothers? Are they uncommonly holy, unusually saint-like? No. They are people who make mistakes, people who aren’t afraid to be human while in God’s service.

Are they people who can’t face the competition and cruelty of the “real” world? No. They are people who believe that through ministry they can immerse themselves in the world and make positive changes.

Are they people who don’t relate well with other people? No. They are people who love others — people who find real satisfaction chatting with a 93-year-old parishioner, holding the hand of a cancer patient, listening to the troubles of a streetwise teen.

They are people with the courage to touch lives, hearts and souls in a high-tech, unchurched world. Are you that kind of person?  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

A STUDY COMMISSIONED by the Knights of Columbus revealed that 75% of Catholic young people who had seriously considered religious life felt they were never encouraged to pursue that goal.

Do you know someone who would make a good priest? Why not tell him so? Your encouragement may be all he needs.  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

DID YOU KNOW that there are special seminaries for men entering the priesthood later in life, seminaries where students range from ages 25 to 60? Many of these men have thought about being a priest at one time or another but, for whatever reason, pushed the idea to the back of their minds.  

They are men who have made a career change to a second vocation, the priesthood. They’re ordinary people, men who have been electricians, teachers, barbers, policemen, social workers, businessmen, farmers, and dentists. Some are widowers, even grandfathers. Diverse though their backgrounds may be, they now share one aim in life: to become a priest and serve God’s people.  

Could you be one of them?

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

HOLINESS IS A CHALLENGE for us all, whatever our specific vocations. We are called to be holy in all aspects of our lives. This is an ongoing process, often slowed by setbacks.  

When the saints were alive, they did not regard themselves as saints; rather, they knew they were sinners — and they strived to be saints.

The process of becoming holy is, even for saints, painful and filled with struggle. Know you are a sinner; strive to be a saint.  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

CHRIST SPOKE OF THE TALENTS each one of us has, talents which must not buried. Our calling is to take those talents, develop them fully, and then use them in establishing His kingdom on earth.  

Are you using your talents to fulfill your vocation to service? Are you an active Christian in the parish, at your workplace, and in the home? Take some time today to reflect on how you might use your special talents in the service of the Kingdom. 

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

FAMILY LIFE CAN BUILD VALUES integral to a strong vocation — whether to priesthood, religious life or marriage. Teaching your children to value commitment, service and prayer will help them make strong vocation decisions as adults and live out those vocations with success and fulfillment.   

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

HE HAS A LIFE that puts him in touch with dozens of interesting people each week: He smiles over coffee while a 95- year-old woman reminisces about her first date in 1920; he discusses Marxism with a world-class philosopher after a lecture. Each day when he gets out of bed, he knows his work will make a difference. People knock on his door when they learn their spouses are sick, even dying. When they don’t have the money to buy winter coats for their small children. Or when their parents have kicked them out of the house. He does his best to do something for them all, but he gets back even more.

This is not a thankless life. Real appreciation is expressed in hugs, smiles and simple thanks. His co-workers are well trained and knowledgeable in their fields. And they are supportive, never competitive. They laugh a lot with him. Sometimes they cry with him. But they are always caring.

This life has brought out in him all sorts of hidden talents. He hadn’t known what a flair he had for public speaking; now, after every talk, there are pats on the back. He hadn’t known how much he liked children; now hundreds of kids know he’s there for them. This is not a dead-end job. He is learning every day.

He is a priest. Does his life sound good to you?  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard 

A MISCONCEPTION AMONG some Catholics is that the priest has an ideal job: he works one day each week, Sunday. They forget that the other six days a week, the priest works long and hard behind the scenes: bringing communion to the sick and elderly, counseling troubled families, visiting school classes, preparing individuals for sacraments.  

Often the job is frustrating, exhausting and thankless, but always of vital importance. Take some time this week and express appreciation to your priests for the difficult ministry they share with you in your parish & community.  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

THE LOVING ENVIRONMENT OF A FAMILY draws forth an individual’s greatest talents and gifts. We’ve come to realize that creating an atmosphere in which children can hear the Lord’s call is one of the most significant responsibilities resting on our shoulders as parents. Our own lives must reflect the presence of God, His Word, and the love He offers His people.  

Parents, do you encourage your children to develop their talents and gifts? Do you encourage your children to think of Church ministry as a possible life choice?  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

PRAYER IS A MOVING FORCE in vocation development. Prayer is effective; prayer is powerful; prayer is essential.  

Few are called to priesthood or religious life, but all are called to pray for vocations: “Lord, your Church is in need. Touch the hearts of many within our parish with the desire to serve you. Call forth from this community religious sisters and brothers, deacons, priests and lay leaders. Help us to live lives that will nurture childhood trust into adult commitment. May this parish be a source of hope and a source of ministers for your Church, your people and your world. Amen.”  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, Samuel was awakened from sleep by the voice of God calling his name. In the New Testament, Paul was knocked off his horse. Does God call in this way today? Usually not.  

One seminarian describes his experience of call: “I was very involved in my parish doing youth ministry and teaching Faith Formation and I was happy with that. But for some reason it wasn’t enough. I had a nagging feeling that I wanted to do more for people.”  

Do you feel you may be called to priesthood, sisterhood, or brotherhood? Contact the diocesan vocation office, your parish priest, or visit www.AlbanyVocations.org.  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

ALL TOO OFTEN WE FORGET to express appreciation to those in service-oriented jobs, including priests, sisters and brothers. We forget because we think, “It’s their job to help.”  

Priests and religious aren’t superhuman. They need genuine support from those they serve. Let them know how you feel.  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

JESUS COMMANDED US to pray for vocations with his words, “Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt. 9:38). Take on prayer for vocations as your personal effort to increase the number of priests, sisters, brothers, and lay ministers.  

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  \

WHAT IS A SISTER? A Sister lives in a religious community that follows a constantly renewed tradition, patterned on the life and teaching of the founder of the community. The work she generally does will depend upon the ministries of that community as influenced by the needs of the Church and its people — for example: teaching, social work, administration, nursing, peace and justice ministry, etc.  

Does the lifestyle of a Sister sound attractive to you? Contact the diocesan vocation office for more information, or visit www.AlbanyVocations.org.    

God Calls All People to Work in the Vineyard  

A VOCATION MUST BE NURTURED for a lifetime, not just until ordination or the taking of vows. You can help nurture the vocations of priests, sisters and brothers by praying, listening, and expressing appreciation. A life of service needs support from those who are served by it.  

STATIONS FOR VOCATIONS

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