Every vocation has a story
As part of Vocation Awareness Week, we asked people around the diocese about their vocations. Watch all six videos in the YouTube playlist below to hear a priest, sister, deacon, seminarian and married couple share their stories.
National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated November 7-13, 2021, is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. It is also an opportunity for each of us to discover or rediscover how we personally respond to God’s call.
“Awareness is the key to this week and the key really for each of us and our role in the Church,” said Father Jimmy Magee, co-director, Office of Vocations in the Diocese of Raleigh. “Each of us has an opportunity and a responsibility to discern our personal relationship with God and to support others in their relationship with God. Each of our roles are different, but working together and supporting each other is something we’re all called to do.”
Here are several ways that everyone can take part in Vocation Awareness Week:
Pray to know your Vocation
Through baptism, each of us has received special gifts and talents. Reflect on the gifts and talents of each person and how they can be used in service to your family and to your parish. Pray the Prayer to Know Ones Vocation.
Understand the Meaning of “Vocation” for all of us
The Meaning of Vocation by St. John Paul II is a powerful letter in which he reminds us that the word "vocation" is a very good definition of the relationship that God has with every human being in the freedom of love, because "every life is a vocation"
Know and share the lives of the saints
Get to better know the lives of the saints. Use a Catholic calendar to note and celebrate feast days of your favorite saints. Perhaps you can pick a patron saint for your family every year, or choose a patron to celebrate every month. Sharing stories of the saints with children of all ages plants the seeds for their vocation.
“Adopt” a parish priest, deacon, sister and seminarians
Make an effort to know better your parish priests, deacons, sisters and seminarians. This can by sharing a meal with them, speaking with them after Sunday Mass or sending them cards on their birthday/ordination date.
Attend a diocesan ordination
Ordination Masses for the Priesthood and Permanent Diaconate are normally held in early June in our diocese. You can also watch a recording of a previous Ordination Mass.
The Bible provides examples of how we respond to God’s Call
Mary’s response to God (Luke 1:26-39) and Jesus’ calling the Apostles (Matthew 4:18-22) can be powerful guides about how God calls us to serve and how we are to respond.
Understand the special meaning of “Vocation” for parents
As a parent, think about ways that you may encourage – or may be unknowingly discouraging – vocations. Read the Seven Vocation Mythbusters for Parents.
For more information and ways that you can support vocations in our diocese, please visit https://ncpriest.org/.
Explore Vocations in the Diocese of Raleigh
Communities of women religious serving in the diocese