+ Include the following intercession at all Masses on the weekends of Jan. 8 or 15, 2011

             May God’s Holy Spirit call courageous women and men

            to leadership in the church,

            in lay ministry, religious life, and ordained ministry:

            we pray to the Lord.

 + Add this notice to the front of your parish bulletin each week, in the section which gives information concerning Sacraments:

             The Sacrament of Holy Orders and Religious Life: If you are considering serving God as a priest, deacon, or religious, talk to your pastor; or contact the diocesan Vocation Office at 804-359-5661 or visit us www.richmonddiocese.org/vocations 

+ Include this announcement in your parish bulletin:

               God is calling…Are you listening? This week, the church celebrates

                “Vocation Awareness Week,” a time to reflect on Christ’s invitation

 to follow him in a life of discipleship and service. In baptism, we are

united to Christ’s people – through the Spirit, we are called to serve Christ’s

people. As this New Year begins, consider the ways in which God wants to work

through you to change the world. If you feel called to serve the Lord through a

life of lay ministry, ordained ministry, or religious life, contact the Office of

Vocations for more information: www.richmonddiocese.org/vocations. 

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO RAISE VOCATION AWARENESS?

+ prepare a parish bulletin board, highlighting those priests, deacons, nuns and lay ministers who have ‘grown up’ in your parish, or those who have served there

+ have Religious Education programs and schools do a special class on vocations during this week – see the vocations web page for suggested lesson plans

+ invite parish groups to ‘adopt’ a seminarian and write to him during the year

+form a parish vocation committee –photos and biographies of our seminarians are available on the vocations web page at www.richmonddiocese.org/meninblack.

+ name a parish vocation representative to serve as a contact for information

+ host a holy hour or some other prayer event for vocations

+invite the Vocation Director to lead a twilight retreat, evening of reflection, or other event for your campus or young adult group

+ start the Vocations Chalice/Vocations Crucifix program in your parish, using the prayers and suggestions available through the Vocations Office

+ form a ’31 Club’ of folks who are willing to pray for vocations each day of the month

+display the new vocation posters and other materials in your public areas

+ arrange for the Vocation Director to speak at your parish

+ encourage the Knights of Columbus and other parish groups to support a seminarian

+ bring your youth groups to the priesthood ordination of Rev. Mr. Jonathan Goertz and Rev. Mr. David Stanfill on June 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond.  Or plan to attend the diaconal ordination of Mr. Eric Ayers on Feb. 20, 2010 at Church of the Incarnation in Charlottesville or the diaconal ordination Mr. Brian Capuano on Feb. 21, 2010 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Richmond.

+ include prayers for vocations at Sunday masses and daily masses – samples available from the Vocations Office

+ use the vocations DVD, “Fishers of Men” at a parish youth or family gathering, along with the discussion questions enclosed with the DVD. Additional copies available from the Vocations Office

+ be aware of upcoming vocation retreats and discernment groups

+ encourage students to participate in diocesan retreat programs and campus ministry

+ arrange in ‘in service’ day for teachers, catechists, or staff with the vocation team

+ pray using our Prayer for Vocations prayer cards which are available from the Vocations Office in English or Spanish

+ explore the vocation web page for other ideas (www.richmonddiocese.org/vocations)

+ highlight the new BEHIND THE COLLAR vocations web page at www.behind-the-collar.com