Vocations

From my church bulletin today:

This Sunday (today) is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, with the theme of "Witness Awakens vocations."  Please pray for our priests, brothers, deacons, and women and men in consecrated life, that they be great witnesses to the whole Church and that their examples strengthen within our youth the desire to seek God's will for their lives.
A new website, www.ForYourVocation.org, is being launched by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  The website has two objectives:  to help individuals hear and respond to the call by God to the priesthood or consecrated life, and to educate all Catholics on the importance of encouraging others through prayer and activities to promote vocations.  The site offers resources for men and women who may have a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, aids for promoting a vocation-culture within the home, and tools for educators, youth leaders and vocation directors including prayers, videos, best practices, lesson plans and vocation awareness programs."

In honor of all of the men and women religious that have touched my life.....Sr. Madeline Carey, Sr. Diana Hupp, Sr. Mary Gallagher, Sr. Ruth, Sr. Clare, Brother Tobias, Mother Teresa, Fr. Steve, Mother Angelica, Fr. O'Neal, Fr. Ben, Fr. Bryan, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI....just to name a few,  I offer the following prayer from the USCCB website:

Loving and Generous God,

it is You who call us by name

and ask us to follow You.

Help us to grow in the Love

and Service of our Church

as we experience it today.

Give us the energy and courage

of Your Spirit

to shape its future

Grant us faith-filled leaders

who will embrace Christ's Mission

of love and justice.

Bless the Churches of the world

by raising up dedicated and generous leaders

from our families and friends

who will serve Your people as Sisters,

Priests, Brothers, Deacons and Lay Ministers.

Inspire us to know You better

and open our hearts

to hear Your call.

We ask this through our Lord.

Amen.