-
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’”
Few things are more beautiful than dedicating your life to the service of God, through serving others. God calls us all in different ways. Some are called to live out their discipleship as single adults engaged in the public square. Some are called to be husbands and wives, to build up society and the Church through the establishment of Christian family life in their homes while also animating the world with the Christian spirit through their employment and career. Others are called to give their lives in service to the Church and to God's people and consecrete their lives to Christ celibately for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven as women and men religious. Some men, finally, are called to Holy Orders to serve as Bishop, Priest, or Deacon and to carry out the Ministry of Christ not only in His name but in His Person.
It is the responsibility of the whole Church -- and particularly of parents -- to encourage and foster vocations to consecrated religious life as well as vocations to priesthood. Priesthood is essential to the life of the Church. Without the priesthood, there can be no Eucharist. Without Eucharist, there can be no Church.
If you feel that God is calling you and you are open to serving the Lord in this special and beautiful way or if you know of someone who feels the Lord may be calling them in this way, please contact one of our Priests or Deacon for some initial guidance and assistance in the process of discernment.
You can also use online resources such as the Vocation Network for Catholic Religious Life and Priesthood or you can contact the Archdiocesan Vocation Office at www.archstl.org.
The harvest is rich, but laborers are few.' We all know of the crisis in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. All are encouraged to pray daily for an increase in vocations. We must do whatever we can at home to encourage our young people in discerning the Holy Spirit's call to choose a vocation in life. If there are questions about vocations, please contact the parish office. We will be happy to provide you with a vocation handbook. The Archdiocese also provides information through its website at www.archstl.org