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Forming a Vocation Prayer Team
Introduction In the National Strategy for Vocations, A Future Full of Hope, the Bishops of the United States, with other vocation organizations, have responded to the Holy Father's invitation to collaborate with prayer and action for the desire to increase vocations. This National Strategy for Vocations encourages parishes to establish Parish Vocation Teams as a way to help every member of the parish, realize their responsibility for encouraging and calling forth vocations. The duty of fostering vocations falls on the whole Christian community, and they should discharge it principally by living full Christian lives. The greatest contribution is made by families which are animated by a spirit of faith, charity and piety and which provide, as it were, a Formation Program, and by parishes in whose abundant life the people themselves take an active part...Parishes should endeavor to train the people entrusted to them to recognize a divine vocation and to follow it willingly. Vatican Council II, The Decree on the Training of Priests We cannot create a vocation; only God can do that. A few hardworking parishioners, however, can, through prayer and well-planned programs, make the whole parish community more vocation conscious. A Note from the Diocesan Vocation Office This outline is meant to be a help in forming a Parish Vocation Team. It is not meant to be the only way a parish can go about the process. The ingenuity and creativity of parishioners may suggest a way better suited to the needs of a particular parish. The Diocesan Vocation Office is available to help the Parish Vocation Team by providing resources and contacts. Feel free to contact them for any help. Structure of a Vocation Team In consultation with the Pastor, the Parish Vocation Team can be a part of the Parish Pastoral Council, a branch of the Spiritual Life Vocation team, or a separate organization. The size and structure of the parish will be part of the consideration. The Pastor of the parish should be acquainted with and approve the plans of the Vocation Team. Individual members act as liaisons to bring the concern for vocations to specific organizations or events of the parish, e.g., Catechist for the Religious Education Program, Parent/teacher for the Parish School, young member for the Youth group, adult member for bulletin/publicity, etc. The Team may want to keep records of activities, minutes of meetings, or any correspondence regarding vocation work. Keeping the Pastor, and/or Parish Council, informed of the Vocation Team’s activities is also important. Membership Ideally, the Vocation Team includes any parishioners who are interested in supporting and praying for vocations. A suggested number of members is eight to twelve, depending on the size of the parish. It is valuable to have a wide variety of parishioners, e.g., priests, lay and religious, married couples, senior citizens and youth, etc., to ensure that the plan touches all members of the parish family. Parents are important partners in any parish. While a bulletin notice reaches the greatest number of parishioners, a personal invitation from the Pastor, or Team Chairperson, may yield more positive results. Invitations to membership also could be extended to the parents of any seminarians, religious, or priests living in the parish community. The value of the Team's work will be enhanced by the endorsement and participation of the clergy and religious of the parish. A chairperson should be chosen to assume the responsibility for coordinating the Team. Members could be asked to make a commitment for a specific period, e.g., one year. Role of Individual Team Members Once the Team is formed, the role of each member may evolve. These guidelines are simply suggestions to help the Team get formed. Chairperson: To assume leadership of the team; calls the meetings; assigning various responsibilities; reporting to the Pastor. Priest/Deacon/Religious: To act as resource persons for team members; support for team members; presence at events. Vocation Team Member: Volunteer for various activities sponsored by the Vocation Team; provide feedback regarding activities; liaison with the Diocesan Vocation office. Meetings It is suggested that at least four meetings be held each year, depending on the activity of the Vocation Team. An agenda and meeting format may be helpful (cf. appendix). Since prayer is an integral part of the Vocation Team’s work, the meetings could include a brief prayer service, or these can be held apart from the regular planning meetings. How to Form a Team As Catholics, in the past we have been spoiled by the number of men and women who have chosen to heed the call of a religious vocation. This trend has diminished. Members of the Church today must recognize this reality and create an awareness of the importance of encouraging God’s people to serve as priests, sisters, brothers and deacons. Like Samuel in the Old Testament, some of the people in our family and parish may have a call from God but are unable to hear or understand what our Lord is asking them to do. Let us pray and encourage each individual to hear this call. After a group of parishioners has been identified and expressed interest in forming a Parish Vocation Team, the members are asked to choose a member to serve as the “Chairperson” of the team, for a specific period. The Vocation Team reviews, if necessary adapts, and accepts the responsibilities of members of the Parish Vocation Team:
The Vocation team discusses and writes a set of goals (no more than 3) for the Parish Vocation Team. Possible Items for the First Meeting:
Resources Listed above are "guidelines" to aid a parish in forming a Parish Vocation Team. The guidelines are meant to provide a starting point rather than “set in stone” rules. They are open to creativity and adaptation to the needs of a particular parish. A Parish Vocation Team, like a vocation itself, evolves over time through prayer and reflection.
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Resources
Resources for Parishes |