A Vocation-filled Lent

    Lent is here, so I wanted to share what you can do during this season to pray for and promote vocations!

    1. Fish Fry for Vocations

      This activity has proven to be a favorite at our parish. This could take place at a pancake breakfast or a Lenten soup meal, anywhere that parishioners are gathered. The parishioners love interacting with seminarians, sisters, priests, and married couples. The kids in attendance enjoy coloring this placemat that has a pack of crayons nearby. You can find out more about this activity and this downloadable placemat.

      2. Stations of the Cross for Vocations

        Every Friday parishioners gather for Stations of the Cross, so why not sprinkle vocations onto this activity. Ask your priest if this would be a good time to introduce vocations to your parishioners in this way. Some dioceses already have a Stations of the Cross program, but if not, you can find one in English/Spanish/Bilingual from the Diocese of Honolulu at VocationMInistry.com.

        3. Pray for your Priests!

          I hope that you will pray, in a special way, for priests during Lent. As you can imagine, this is one of the busiest times of year for your priest(s). Maybe you could organize a time of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament that is specifically for your priest(s).  Ask your parishioners to pray a Novena for your priest for the 9 days prior to the Institution of the Priesthood on Holy Thursday.  You can find many different novenas, but here is a simple one you can print out and use at your parish 

          4. Easter Gifts

            This a perfect time for your ministry to gather some favorite items to give to your priests, seminarians, sisters, or religious in formation. If you have not already, ask your priests to fill out the Get to Know Your Priest Questionnaire  so that you know what he would like. Don’t forget to gather spiritual bouquets or cards and drawings for his basket, too. This could also hold true for the sisters in a nearby convent who would love the parishioners prayers and support. Just pick your intended audience this year, and move forward. Here are a few general ideas: 

            • Greeting card/Spiritual Bouquet
            • Restaurant gift card
            • Favorite candy
            • Bookstore gift card
            • Dear Father: A Message of Love for Priests by Catherine De Hueck Doherty. Buy it here.
            • In Sinu Jesu: When Heart Speaks to Heart -- The Journal of a Priest at Prayer. Buy it here.
            • When God Asks for an Undivided Heart. Perfect for Seminarians and Religious in Formation. Buy it here.
            • Theater gift card

            Start Planning for World Day of Prayer for Vocations

              May 12, 2019

              On April 1st, I will share more ideas about how to provide opportunities for prayer for vocations on this day the whole world should be praying for vocations. Until then, check out the bulletin inserts and other resources at a website exclusively dedicated to this day.

              Keep in Touch!

                Don’t forget to email me back with your stories of triumph or struggle. If you have questions, know that I am here to support you in this mission of Building a Culture of Vocations One Parish at a Time! Email me!

                As always, know that you are in my prayers. If you think of it, please pray for me, too.

                God bless you!

                Rhonda Gruenewald
                Vocation Ministry
                Cell: 281-352-4005
                rhonda@vocationministry.com
                www.vocationministry.com

                St. Alphonsus Liguori, Pray For Us!

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