VOCATIONS

THE  CATHOLIC  DIOCESE OF RAPHOE

.

Vocations Directors for the Diocese of Raphoe

.

Raphoe Seminarians   2006 - 2007

.

Pope John Paul continually brings the need for prayer for vocations to our attention: In the words below he prays that the Holy Spirit will direct people to answer the call made to them.

We Pray...
Holy Spirit.... 
It is You who open the heart and the mind to the Divine call;
it is You who make effective every impetus toward good,
toward truth, toward charity...
Open the heart and minds of your people,
so that a new flowering of vocations  may show forth
the fidelity of your love,
and all may know Christ,
the true light come into the world,
to offer to every human being,
the sure hope of eternal life.
Amen.                                                                

Pope John Paul II

.

A few words from Bishop Boyce

When the Lord Jesus walked along the road of Galilee, He stopped at times before certain people and said: “Follow Me.”  That call touched them deeply.  Those who responded were changed beyond all they could have ever imagined.  Those who refused to follow Him, could never fully forget his inviting words and penetrating gaze. 

And you? Have you ever heard his call? Has the Lord gently made his voice felt by you, attracting you to a way of life, spent in his service and in doing good to people?

Ever think of yourself as a priest, a missionary, a religious? These lines you are now reading, do they make His voice echo within you “Follow Me?”

 You may already have a job, be studying at University, or be one of thousands of young people who finish studies or Leaving Cert this Summer.  The choice of a career may be going through your mind.  Remember that a life of complete service of the Church, in the priesthood or consecrated life, is also a possible career.  Not for everyone, of course.  But certainly for those who are called and who wish to become the friends of Christ.  Have you heard the call? 

This booklet will provide you with contact numbers and addresses of Vocations Directors who will be most willing to provide further information 

X Philip Boyce OCD,  Bishop of Raphoe

.

Ever think that you might be called to serve as a Priest? 

• Nobody decides to become a priest.  Priesthood is always a response to a call from someone else.  The one who always initiates that call is God.  So from the very outset priesthood is both practical and mysterious.  It involves action and silence.  It involves interacting with what is very human.  On the other hand it involves grappling, communicating  with what is not human, with the divine - God himself.

•   Being a priest involves trying to bring people to God and God to people.  This can only be attempted, carried out by someone who tries to be close to people and to God.  It involves the ability to admit ones own weakness and trials and in doing so becoming more dependent on God’s grace – His help.

•   Prayer is the means by which priesthood is sustained and nourished.  It’s our pattern of relationship with God.  Nobody can hold an honest relationship without honest communication.  We talk to our friends.  We share with them.  We draw them into our daily activity.  It works no differently with God.  We talk with Him so as to deepen our friendship with Him.  Other-times we remain quiet and listen as He begins to talk to us.

.

.

What does the life of a priest involve?

Prayer + People

God 

Sacrifice + Service

Priests are not all the same.  Each individual is different.  So it follows that each priest is different.  Ordination brings grace, it doesn’t stamp out individuality or personality - thank God! 

The role and activity of a priest may vary a great deal, dependent on a number of practical considerations.  But some core things are essential to the life and ministry of all priests.  Prayer, preaching and the administration of the sacraments are the key features of all priestly activity. 

Here in the Diocese of Raphoe, (as in most dioceses in Ireland and throughout the world) priests work in a parish assignment.  This involves Masses, baptisms, funerals, weddings, first communions, visits to the sick and housebound (usually on a monthly basis).  Work also includes preparation for homilies, talks, preparation for baptism, helping couples get ready for marriage.   

Sometimes the life of a priest will also involve activity concerning the running of schools, churches and other parish buildings and lands.   

Some priests also have additional tasks and roles and their giftedness or talents are put to the service of the people of the diocese.  For example music, youth work, retreat-giving, etc.  Some men may be particularly good at organising liturgies and ceremonies.  Still more in the administration of monies or the charge of meetings, pilgrimages, etc. 

Other priests are given more specific tasks in the diocese.  For example a good number of priests are given over either on a part-time or full-time basis to teaching or chaplaincy work in schools.  

Other priests are engaged in full time chaplaincy work in hospitals.  Another is attached to the L.Y.I.T (Letterkenny Institute of Technology).  One priest is presently carrying out missionary work in Peru.  Yet another works closely with Irish Emigrants and their welfare in the U.S.A.  A few priests are lecturing in religious studies in Colleges of Education.  At any time, a priest or two are engaged in further or specialised study or refresher courses.

 So the work of a priest may vary greatly depending on age, location, circumstance and interests/talents.  But all priests, irrespective of differences are called by God to work together with their bishop in a particular area (known as a diocese) to preach the Word of God and to dispense the Sacraments of God’s love and mercy.

 Sometimes we do this well, sometimes we fail or falter in our task.  We are human and frail.  Just as with any pool of people some priests are great preachers, speakers and communicators.  Others are not so hot.  Some men are reticent and shy while others are colourful and extrovert.  In other-words we are a mixture and in some way represent the mixture and needs of the people we hope to minister to in the areas that we find ourselves placed in.

 We sin and disappoint like everyone else.  Yet we try to answer the call made to us by God.  We all need to rely on His help and grace when our own efforts or words are not enough.  We are called, not just priests but all God’s family - to be people of hope.

 Perhaps, these words might help to put in place the character of a priest of Jesus Christ: “The priest is not an angel sent by God out of heaven.  He is a man chosen from among men, a member of the Body of Christ, the Church.  Remaining man and Christian, he begins to speak to you the word of God.  This word is not his own.  No, he comes to you because God has told him to proclaim God’s word.  Perhaps he has not entirely understood it himself.  But he believes, and despite his fears he knows that he must proclaim God’s word to you.  For must not some of us say something about God, about eternal life, about the majesty of grace in our sanctified being; must not someone of us speak of sin, the judgement and mercy of God.  So my dear friends, pray for us, carry us so that we may be able to sustain others by bringing them the mystery of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ”.

 The proclamation of the Gospel and the offering of the Mass are essential to the identity of all priests as is God’s healing power through the sacrament of confession.

 At the end of the day, despite or perhaps even because of our weaknesses and limitations, the priest attempts to communicate the  love and mercy of Christ by drawing people into relationship with Him through His body the Church. 

.

.

Am I embarrassed by faith or am I honestly at ease with my Christian, Catholic identity?

 ·                 What do I see as more fundamental; God’s law or the regulations of the state?

 Is prayer and Mass and the other sacraments a factor in my life at the moment?

 ·                 If ‘yes’, do I want to pursue that area of my life somewhat more?

  If ‘no’, why ‘no’? Do I want things to be different? How can I try to help to make things change?

 ·                 Do I feel a responsibility to live my faith more fully? If so, have the thoughts of priesthood awkwardly entered my mind from time to time?

 Have I, at least tried to be honest with myself, in attempting to grapple with these questions   Have I confided in anyone? Have I tried to have any of my questions discussed or possibly answered?

 ·                 Do I believe that the following statement is true or at least reasonable? “You can’t make an informed decision without first having information”! 

 And this is the reason we in the Diocese of Raphoe have presented this booklet as a first step in assisting you.  Maybe we can go some way in providing information for you, in listening to you or in arranging to meet up with you at some stage. ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained’. 

.

.

Vocations Directors for the Diocese of Raphoe

Fr Joseph O'Donnell

Fr Gerard Cunningham

Carnamuggagh Lower, Letterkenny.  

The Parochial House, Letterkenny

Tel:  07491 - 22608

 Tel:  07491 - 21021

Email:  josephodonnell@eircom.net

Email:  steunanscathedral@eircom.net

.

.

P R A Y E R

Heavenly Father, bless our diocese with the grace of many vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, grant to those You have called the willingness and generosity of spirit to give themselves in devoting their lives and their talents to the service of our Lord and to His Church. Increase the faith of all within our diocese, and particularly the faith of those You have called and will continue to call. We ask this through Christ, Your Son. Amen.

.

.Back to Homepage