Discern FAQs Resources Contact Frequently Asked Questions Find answers to questions re: priests’ required education, seminary life, prayer, and more! Resources for Parents The PRIMARY place where vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life are nurtured is the FAMILY Saint John Paul II, Reflection on Vocations How Can You Support Your Children’s Vocations? Create an environment in which your children are aware that God created each of them in a special way and that He has a plan for each of them! Always speak with respect for priests and religious, even/especially when differences of opinion arise. Be careful of the way criticism of the Church is handled. Be intolerant of humor and innuendo that devalues spirituality, religious life and priesthood. Pray daily as a family at a time most convenient for all. Include intentions for those already living a vocation to Church ministry – that they may fulfill their Christian vocation in love and service to God; and that those persons faced with a vocational choice consider their own God-given abilities, and decide on a vocation in light of God’s will for them. Encourage children to become involved in parish projects, organizations, and in charitable activities. Pray daily as a family at a time most convenient for all. Include intentions for those already living a vocation to Church ministry – that they may fulfill their Christian vocation in love and service to God; and that those persons faced with a vocational choice consider their own God-given abilities, and decide on a vocation in light of God’s will for them. Pray that one of your children will be called by God to the priesthood or religious life, and that they might be able to answer the Call! Help the children understand, by word and action, that our Catholic faith is important. For more information and resources for ways in which you can promote and nurture vocations in your family, CLICK HERE Resources for Parishes Vocations Posters Updated vocations posters for this year will be printed this fall and will be distributed to parishes. Prayer Card for Vocations: Jesus tells us to “Pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He might send more laborers into His vineyard.” We must do just that, pray that our Lord will continue to call more young men from our diocese, and that they might have the courage to respond to that Call with faithful and humble hearts. Please contact our Vocation’s office if you would like prayer cards for your parish, school or religious education program. Brochures: If there is a young man in your parish, school or religious education program that you think might have a priestly vocation, please consider giving him one of these brochures on the priesthood that is specific to the diocese of Fall River. Please contact our Vocations Office for copies. Intercessions: It is important for the whole parish community to pray for vocations together. Including a prayer for vocations in the “Prayer of the Faithful” each Sunday is a great way to encourage the parish to pray for vocations, but also raises the awareness of the need for priestly vocations in our diocese. Creating and promoting a culture of vocations is done at the parish level. Vocations Awareness Teams: To pray for and promote priestly vocations in individuals parishes, starting a “Parish Vocation Team” is a great a to accomplish this task. The team usually meets throughout the year to discuss creative ways of supporting our seminarians as well as cultivating nurturing priestly vocations in the young men of their parish. Holy Hours for Vocations: If you are interested in having one of our Vocation Directors come to your parish with some of our diocesan seminarians to celebrate a Holy Holy of Eucharistic Adoration, please contact our Vocation Office. Facebook Page: For more information about upcoming events, photos, articles and all other activities being held by our Vocations Office please “like” us on Facebook. Parish Bulletin: Putting our website address or our Facebook page in your parish bulletin along with other discernment opportunities in your parish bulletin is a great way for us to reach the faithful of our diocese. Free Book on Discernment The most comprehensive and inspiring books ever written for men considering the priesthood. Choose either English or Spanish editions, completely free of charge (if you live in a participating diocese). Get Free Books Fishers of Men DVD A short, fast-paced, professionally-produced video on the many facets of a priest’s daily life. Get Free DVD Helpful Discernment Links Diocese of Fall River US Bishops’ Committee on Vocations and Priestly Formation USCCB Resources for Consecrated Life National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD) National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) Serra International Knights of Columbus United States Association for Consecrated Virgins Vision Magazine Return to Vocations Office
