“The pastoral care of vocations finds its first and natural setting in the family. Indeed, parents should know how to welcome as a grace the gift which God gives them in calling one of their sons or daughters to the priesthood or religious life. Such a grace must be asked for in prayer and received actively, by means of an education which allows the young people to perceive all the richness and joy of dedicating oneself to God.”

Statement from “Future Full of Hope” - A National Strategy for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Dioceses and Archdioceses of the United States (1996)
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Oh Jesus Eternal High Priest who has
Entrusted to priests the important work
Of saving souls has inspired my own child,
my own flesh and blood to strive after the
Holy Office of the Priesthood. I pray
Thee most fervently to guide and assist him,
Make him more worthy day by day and
Grant him success, perseverance and
constant growth in virtue and holiness.
Help him, Oh Jesus, overcome all
temptations asking from the world
and the devil who seek to frustrate his
holy vocation. Fill his heart with burning
hope for God and for the souls redeemed
by His Precious Blood.
Amen.

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Totus Tuus

Totus Tuus is a weeklong summer Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness, and the celebration of the Eucharist. The goal of Totus Tuus is to help young people grow in their understanding of, and strengthen their faith in, Jesus Christ. Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to vocations in the young people we serve as well as among the program teachers. This is accomplished by placing special emphasis on the importance and necessity of prayer, Eucharistic devotion, and Marian devotion, in addition to catechetical instruction and formation in the Catholic faith. To host a Totus Tuus team at your parish or for more information, contact Pat Pacer in the Vocations Office at 312-534-2587 or ppacer@archchicago.org or go to www.totustuuschicago.com.

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Called by Name

Called By name is a program that was instituted in the Archdiocese in the winter of 2008. It envisions the parish community recommending men and women whom they believe demonstrate qualities that show potential for a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Nominees will be invited to attend programs sponsored by the Assistant Vocation Director of the vicariate designed to help them explore the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood. Names of women and men nominated for the religious life will be referred to the Office for Religious. For more information click here or contact Pat Pacer in the Vocations Office at 312-534-2587 or ppacer@archchicago.org.

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Vocations Parish

The Archdiocese of Chicago Vocations Office is planning a new “Vocations Parish” initiative whereby parishes will be asked to deliberately, actively, and joyfully make the promotion of all Christian vocations an underlying element of all parish activities.For more information click here or contact Susanne Smith in the Vocations Office at 312-534-5234 or susmith@archchicago.org.

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Eucharistic Adoration

Become a laborer of the harvest for Our Lord, by organizing a “Holy Hour” of prayer at your parish or adoration chapel. The Pope John Paul II Eucharistic Adoration Association is comprised of all volunteers who dedicate themselves to promoting Eucharistic Adoration throughout the Chicago Archdiocese. To help you get started, call 708-728-0840 or go to http://www.pjp2ea.org/pjp2ea/HolyHourPriests.asp

Click here to learn more about the Congregation for the Clergy's "Pray for Priests" campaign.

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Parent Support Group

Is your child showing interest in a vocation to the priesthood? Would you like to connect with parents of other seminarians? If so, please contact Pat Pacer in the Vocations Office at 312-534-2587 or email ppacer@archchicago.org

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“What is My Vocation?” (A Vocations-Awareness School Curriculum)

The Archdiocese of Chicago Vocations Office has created a Vocations-Awareness School Curriculum for 6th or 7th graders entitled “What is My Vocation.” The text covers all Christian vocations, and has received a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. For more information, contact Anna Freeman in the Vocations office at 312-534-1037 or afreeman@archchicago.org

www.whatismyvocation.com

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Vocation Ideas for Parents

How can parents encourage Church vocations? Some talk directly about vocations. Others simply try to help youth to learn Christian values. Both kinds of encouragement are helpful! Here are some ideas for your family:

1. Share freely in your vocation as parents; what you value, how you came to that
    decision, how you feel about religious vocations.
2. Make prayer a normal part of family decision-making. Pray with and for
     members of the family, parish, and neighborhood. Give children
     opportunities to lead prayer and to pray in their own words.
3. Take part in parish activities as a family. Give children a sense of joy that
     comes from serving.
4. Teach your children to share their time, talent, and treasure. Help them to
     share with those who have less.
5. Talk positively and enthusiastically about activities of priests, sisters, and
    brothers. Speak with respect about priests and religious, especially if
     differences of opinion arise. Be careful about handling criticism of the Church.
6. Set aside “family time” each day. Give each child time to share.
7. Talk openly about items in the news that speak to a commitment of values,
    service, or Church stances on issues.
8. Let the priests, sisters, and brothers in your parish know they are welcome in
    your home. Invite them to visit with you and your children.
9. Include a prayer for vocations as part of your meal prayer. Institute some
     special observance as a family for vocations. Choose a particular day to fast,
     pray the rosary, or pray together in some other suitable way.
10. Tell your children the stories of saints and founders of orders. Talk with them
     about what priests, brothers, and sisters do today.
11. Keep an eye open for television shows, movies, and videos that present
     Gospel-centered role models. Watch them with your children; express your
     admiration for the characters and engage the children in a conversation about
     their values and choices. The USCCB has a useful website for family-friendly
     movies/television: http://www.usccb.org/movies/
12. Do some research to discover the orders of men and women religious
     active in your diocese. Who are they? Where are they? What ministries are
     they involved in? What houses of formation are located in your area? Pray for
     their life and ministry, or perhaps call a group you would like to know better
     and visit as a family. You may be able to be of help to them. Offer to welcome
     a priest, brother, or sister to come and visit your home.
13. Consider becoming an associate or lay member of a religious community.
14. Keep abreast of current ideas as to the training, life, and role of priests and
     religious in the Church.
15. Challenge young adults to consider a Church-related vocation. Tell them
     about the gifts you see in them.

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Seminarian Prayer Calendar:

The Vocations Office is asking the faithful of the Archdiocese of Chicago to take an active role in praying for our seminarians as part of your stewardship. To help facilitate this “prayer campaign,” Seminarian Prayer Calendars have been created which highlight a different seminarian each weekday from one of our seminaries/seminary programs. Parents are encouraged to pray for seminarians with your children. You may also wish to “adopt a seminarian” by committing to pray for him, send him letters/cards, and/or invite him to a meal with the family.

Seminarian Prayer Calendar October 2009 – May 2010

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