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Vocations
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” –Jer 1:4
What's Happening
Christopher Martel and Matthew Mason were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John McCormack on Saturday, June 6.
Bishop McCormack said, "This day is a blessing for the people of the Diocese of Manchester and for me, their bishop. Seeing these men ordained to the priesthood lifts up all of us. It means our local church is alive and well in its ministry and mission. God is still calling men, and I'm grateful to God for animating their response.
“This year's ordination is truly significant since we are celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the founding of our diocese. There is a goodness and vitality in these young men. They are willing to dedicate their lives to service to God. They will be an asset to our local Church. We are blessed by these new priests and by their parents, who are proud to see their sons choose to serve God’s people through priestly ministry and life. God bless them!"
Fr. Martel said, “As I am ordained to the priesthood, I am grateful and blessed for my family, my friends, and the Catholic community, who have been praying for me, and have been with me as I journey to the priesthood.”
Fr. Mason said, “I feel truly blessed to have been called to serve God's people in New Hampshire and thank God for the many family members and friends who have helped me reach this special day."
Vocation Awareness Curriculum
The Church across the country turns her attention to vocations, to the unrelenting and prevailing call of the Lord to the priesthood and the consecrated life. Click here to download materials for Catholic school teachers and catechists to use to promote vocations.
+CROSSROADS
Why keep doubting that God could be calling you to the priesthood? Crossroads, provides an opportunity for young men to gather monthly to actively seek out God’s will in their life. Take part in Crossroads to be encouraged by other men who are asking the same questions and wondering the same things about their vocation. Who’s at Crossroads—High school juniors, seniors, collegians, men in love with Jesus Christ and His Church. Fr. Jason coordinates the monthly gatherings. Please contact him at jjalbert@rcbm.org or 669-3100
Related Links
Office for Vocations - www.liveinblackandwhite.comSerra Club - www.serranh.org
Secular Institutes - www.secularinstitutes.org
Missionaries of the Kingship of Chirst - www.simkc.org
In His goodness, God personally called each one of us. Even before we were born, God knew us and loved us with a love beyond all telling. The words spoken to the prophet Jeremiah remind us that God created us with a purpose. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you.” The greatest gift we have been given is our life; a life that flows from the love of God who desires to share His goodness with us. The primary vocation we have been given is to accept the gift of life from God and to acknowledge that He created us with the purpose of loving Him and serving Him. In loving and serving the Lord we have been promised happiness here on earth and in heaven for all eternity.
Through baptism, we put on Christ and become sons and daughters of God and are given a share in His divine nature. In this new life of grace we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who freely offers all that is necessary to live a holy life clothed in heartfelt compassion, generosity, gentleness and patience because, as St. Paul says, we are “God’s chosen ones” (Col 3:12).
As we look throughout the New Testament we see that the Christian is called. Each one of us is called to the perfection of love which is to be loved by God and to love Him in return. However, each Christian lives the call to love according to the particular mission he or she is given. Not all are called to do the same work, yet everyone’s vocation is ordered to the good of the whole Church.
Every vocation is a sacred gift and it is to be discovered, cherished and lived in a spirit of gratitude to God. Today, there is a great need for all members of the Church to recognize their unique vocation. Since each person must grow in his or her awareness of what it means to be called by God to the vocation of marriage, consecrated life or the ordained priesthood the Vocation Office offers numerous opportunities for discernment.