Practical Things the Whole Parish Can Do to Promote Vocations

A Priest can:

P reach about how much he loves being a priest, and the need for every Catholic to help
foster vocations to the priesthood.
R each out to home-school families to provide materials (DVD’s, posters etc. from the
vocations office) that help develop an openness to vocations.
E ncourage the sick and homebound in the parish to pray for vocations, Extraordinary
ministers can provide them with prayer cards (available from the vocations office).
A ssign prayers for vocations as a penance in Confession, when it would be appropriate
(hand them a prayer card).
C ommit the parish to fostering vocations by incorporating it into the parish mission
statement.
H old a vocations day or mission in the parish. (The vocations office will help with
materials, outlines, and if we’re able, a priest to conduct the mission.)

Other suggested practices:

-Offer petition prayers for vocations as part of the Liturgy of the Hours.
-Offer an “adoration for vocations” holy hour in the parish during the week of Prayer for
vocations, or anytime.
-Offer the Mass for priestly vocations (various needs and occasions #8) when appropriate
on Weekdays of Ordinary time.

Secretaries can:

Formulate prayers for vocations for the Petitions used in the Sunday Mass.
I nclude announcements, prayers and ideas related to vocations in the bulletin.
Leave vocations materials, prayer cards, posters etc. in the office and entry to the
Church (available from the vocations office.)
Employ the use of the toll free number of the Vocations Office in the parish bulletin.



The D.R.E. can:

Develop a mailing list for college students from the parish. Find out where the high
school graduates will be going next year to maintain contact and send them a copy of
the vocations news letter.
Request visits from Priests and Religious to talk to students about vocations.
Encourage vocations by integrating awareness into all of the catechetical training in the
parish.




Teachers and Catechists can:

Conduct a brain storming session with other teachers, parishioners and students. Send
a list of the best ideas to the vocations office.
Consider asking the first Communion class write letters to the young men in the
Confirmation class asking them to consider the priesthood, and offering prayers for
them.
Develop a prayer for vocations to be used at the beginning of every class.

Parishioners can:

Participate in “Adoration for Vocations” holy hours.
Attend vocation days and missions in the parish.
Request a Mass for the intention of priestly vocations.
Invite young men to consider the priesthood.
Start a Serra Club or similar group that promotes priestly vocations.
Help the Knights of Columbus in their vocations efforts.