Heeding the call
John Stather makes a simple plea that members of the Church
heed the call of God and consider the possibility of a vocation
including for men a vocation to the ministerial priesthood
S
t Thérèse, as she entered the convent in Lisieux, Sunday to join with Catholic Christians throughout
said that all she wanted to accomplish was ‘to the world in promoting vocations, and this means
save souls and pray for priests’. The World Day preaching, teaching and prayer. The Gospel appointed
of Prayer for Vocations is celebrated on Sunday 13 for Vocations Sunday is John 10.1–10, with lots of
April 2008, which has also been designated as Voca- powerful imagery of sheep, sheepfolds and shep-
tions Sunday by the Church of England. herds.
There is a lot of talk from Ministry Division down It is also the responsibility of the laity to pray and
about vocations. A phrase one often hears is ‘pray- to seek out vocations and to talk to men whom they
ing for more vocations’, but I believe that this rather think may have the qualities needed to be priests.
all
misses the point. God does not need reminding that Be on the lookout in your own congregations: sow
he needs more priests for his Church. Rather what seeds and encourage those exploring their priestly
we are called to do is to pray that more of our young vocations.
baptized
men, and also our older men, will respond to God’s There will be a Vocations Conference held at St
call. Vocations are there, have always been so in the Stephen’s House, Oxford, from Friday 5 to Sunday 7
members
past, and will be so in the future. Instead we need to September. If you think that either you may be inter-
focus our energy on praying for the recognition of ested in attending or know someone who would,
of the
the call. please put the date in your diary now. These con-
In the First Book of Samuel, we hear of the call of ferences, organized by the Catholic Societies Voca-
Church the boy Samuel. Samuel hears a voice calling him, tions Group, have proved invaluable to those who
but he does not realize from whom it comes. Samuel have attended, and they are intended for those at
need to
speaks to Eli, and when he initially responds, Eli also any stage in the discernment process. If you are just
fails to realize the source of the vocation. Only on beginning to consider a vocation to priesthood, or if
consider
the third occasion does he advise Samuel to reply to you have a Bishops’ Advisory Panel coming up, do
the voice, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening’ [1 come along.
the part
Sam. 3.9]. I attended one of the early conferences almost ten
Listening, therefore, is the important element. Only years ago in the early stages of discernment. It was
they can
through our reading of the Scriptures, participation very helpful to be able to meet others who were expe-
in the Mass, and through prayer can we engage with riencing the same feelings and who had many of the
play in
and listen to God. It is through the conversation of same questions. In the exploration of one’s vocation,
prayer and study of his Word that we listen to God, it is useful to be able to spend time with those in the
the
and are moved to action by the Holy Spirit. same boat, as well as spending time with a number of
The Church of England has done a lot of work priests who have been in precisely that position them-
vineyard
with regard to stewardship recently, and one of the selves.
most popular schemes at the moment is TRIO – The Our forefathers in the faith also took vocations to
of the
Responsibility Is Ours. This is also true for vocations the religious life very seriously, but this is often over-
work. We are all in it together, and have a responsibil- looked today. We need to encourage such vocations in
ity to take vocations seriously. order to continue the valuable work of the many men
Lord
It is certainly the responsibility of parish clergy to and women who have chosen to live the Gospel in a
preach and teach about vocations, and to encour- radical way, professing the vows of chastity, poverty
age those exploring their vocations. Parish priests and obedience. This may not be fashionable in today’s
know what is required of priests in today’s church. world, but being a disciple of Christ is about being
In fact, they are often better qualified than a number counter-cultural.
of diocesan officials, who have sometimes lost touch On Vocations Sunday, every member of the Church
with the day-to-day life of a parish, and the gifts needs to consider and pray about what God may
and skills that are required. As any clergy who have be calling them to do. All baptized members of the
attended Continuing Ministerial Education recently Church need to consider the part they can play in the
will sadly know, what really matters is Management vineyard of the Lord.
Speak! The example of Our Lady is a source of constant
It is not easy to be a Catholic priest in the Church inspiration to us all. She had a high and unique voca-
of England at this time of change and uncertainty. tion, being called to be the Mother of God. God may
This is, however, nothing new! The heroes of the faith ask us to do many things, and they may well be chal-
from the Oxford movement onwards have grappled lenging. We need to remember that God will not ask
with the challenge, and it is important that they have us to do anything that we are unable to do.
successors to continue their work. Priests are needed We may not feel worthy, able or willing, but noth-
to serve the people of God and uphold the faith as we ing is impossible for God. He will support us in all
have received it. that we are called to do in his name. We must listen to
Clergy should use the opportunity of Vocations God, be receptive and say yes to him!
4
■
newdirections
■
April 2008
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36