Cathedral of St. Joseph February 17-23, 2007
I just returned from Wisconsin and it was time to get ready for Lent. As Vocation Director, things do not change too much as the seasons of the church change. I had the children's mass on Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral. It was my week to preach at the masses at the Cathedral and visit with classrooms. We had 24 names turned in from the Cathedral during the called by name event during the homily. I forgot to mention those who wanted to serve on the vocation committee should also turn in their names, so the next weekend, the Called by Name happened again and this time those who wanted to serve on the parish vocation committee were able to sign up.
On February 18, we had our first of four Vocation Reflection Days for Confirmation candidates. We made some changes to the day this year: It begins with a 20 minute praise and worship session lead by some of our talented musicians from the diocese. Then, we explain the purpose of the day: it is to help the people support each other in their vocations and to find out how God might be calling the young people to live their lives for them. Rather than having the parents and adults listen to the same talks as the confirmation candidates, we give a talk to the parents connecting Baptism, Confirmation and one's vocation. Our vocation that God chooses for us begins to be revealed to us at our Baptism. Mom and Dad have to be aware of this and so we show them how all of the components within the ritual of Baptism points to the child's relationship with Jesus and his/her vocation. Once the young person says he/she wants to accept Christ's invitation to become confirmed, the young person then takes the lead to discern what vocation God is calling this person to live. Our point is that we as Christians cannot just say, "well, I'll do what I want and GOd will be ok with it." God has a purpose and we have to seek out that purpose. That is what the whole day is about. Then, we have Eucharistic Adoration with guided meditations and hymns. The day concludes with masss by the Bishop.
People seemed to enjoy the day once they arrived and it began. We will continue to work on the days to make them even better. After the reflection day, I went to my support group, this time in Martinsburg.
On February 23, we had our first Prayer Warriors at Helias. This will only go through Lent. It is an opportunity for young men of the Catholic High School to come together and learn about prayer styles and talk about issues affecting them and their community. We'll see how it goes.
On February 18, we had our first of four Vocation Reflection Days for Confirmation candidates. We made some changes to the day this year: It begins with a 20 minute praise and worship session lead by some of our talented musicians from the diocese. Then, we explain the purpose of the day: it is to help the people support each other in their vocations and to find out how God might be calling the young people to live their lives for them. Rather than having the parents and adults listen to the same talks as the confirmation candidates, we give a talk to the parents connecting Baptism, Confirmation and one's vocation. Our vocation that God chooses for us begins to be revealed to us at our Baptism. Mom and Dad have to be aware of this and so we show them how all of the components within the ritual of Baptism points to the child's relationship with Jesus and his/her vocation. Once the young person says he/she wants to accept Christ's invitation to become confirmed, the young person then takes the lead to discern what vocation God is calling this person to live. Our point is that we as Christians cannot just say, "well, I'll do what I want and GOd will be ok with it." God has a purpose and we have to seek out that purpose. That is what the whole day is about. Then, we have Eucharistic Adoration with guided meditations and hymns. The day concludes with masss by the Bishop.
People seemed to enjoy the day once they arrived and it began. We will continue to work on the days to make them even better. After the reflection day, I went to my support group, this time in Martinsburg.
On February 23, we had our first Prayer Warriors at Helias. This will only go through Lent. It is an opportunity for young men of the Catholic High School to come together and learn about prayer styles and talk about issues affecting them and their community. We'll see how it goes.
posted by Fr. Joe Corel at
9:45 AM
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