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Take a moment of silence

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Occasion: World Day of Prayer for Vocations Readings: Readings for Fourth Sunday of Easter; Good Shepherd Sunday IT WAS JULY 1992, and I was on a three-week study tour-pilgrimage in the Holy Land. In the middle of a long hike on a scorching day, we came across two shepherds, smoking and chatting in a patch of shade. Their two flocks were all mixed together, hundreds of sheep, lazily rambling the hillsides. The two shepherds were happy to see us, and we began to visit. We asked, through our guide, how the sheep, all jumbled together, would know their rightful shepherd when the time came to move on. The two herdsmen chuckled and rose to take the dare: Each one went to an opposite side of the path, shouted out an indecipherable yell, and began to walk away. Immediately, the sheep ran behind their proper shepherd. And the few stragglers were spotted right away by their vigilant leader and summoned to follow. It was clear: The sheep knew their shepherd; the shepherd knew his sheep. Ah, but the show was not over. Charged up by the attention of their audience, the shepherds said, "Watch this." They then exchanged their outer apparel. Once again, they each went to opposite sides of the path, gave their familiar call, and began to walk away. Without a pause, the sheep followed their proper shepherd, even though he had completely changed his outward appearance! The sheep knew their shepherd so well-his voice, his command, his walk—that they could not be deceived by a disguise. Jesus said: ". . . The sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out . . . . he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice." Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gives us the most effective strategy in promoting vocations: We must come to know our shepherd so intimately, his voice so unmistakably, that we sense his call in our gut and follow him. We gather for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on this Fourth Sunday of Easter, "Good Shepherd Sunday," designated as well "World Day of Prayer for Vocations." We recognize that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, continues to tend to his flock in a variety of very effective and tender ways. For us as Catholics, we also acknowledge that a unique way he shepherds his people is through his priests. In fact, we call our parish priests pastors, which is simply the Latin word for "shepherd." For the past 30 years we have been praying ceaselessly for "an increase in vocations to the priesthood." Yet, at times it seems the Lord is ignoring our plea, as the data would indicate far too few are responding. The problem, of course, is hardly that Jesus is not calling; the problem is that we have wax in our ears. The problem is that we are not listening to his voice! Jesus, the Good Shepherd, like those I met on the hillside of Galilee, gives us the most effective strategy in promoting vocations: We must come to know our shepherd so intimately, his voice so unmistakably, that we sense his call in our gut and follow him. And I would propose that we best hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in silence. The Bible tells us that the language God prefers is silence, and the atmosphere God best works in is silence. "Be still and know that I am God," God whispers. "In quiet and confidence shall be thy strength," God encourages Isaiah. Each of the seven years I was rector of the North American College in Rome, I had the pleasure of reading 50 or so autobiographies of the men entering. I soon discovered a common thread: Almost all of the men discerned the call to the priesthood in silence. It was often during quiet prayer before the Eucharist; sometimes during a retreat or another period of stillness; maybe during a time of quiet reflection after a pivotal experience or encounter. For some of them, it came in silence on a life-changing episode such as a pilgrimage, service project, or World Youth Day. Never did it come as a shout, as a yell, in a panic, or in a crowd. No, it came gently, softly, quietly, the voice of the Shepherd only to be discerned in silence. And it came from a person to a person. These young candidates knew their shepherd so well they recognized his soft voice. They had come to know him through wonderful parents and families, vibrant parishes and communities, careful catechesis and uplifting liturgy, service to his neglected, and immersion in his Word, the support of friends and the joy of fellowship, and his Real Presence in the Eucharist and merciful forgiveness in penance. They had come to know this shepherd so well that when, in silence, he whispered, "Come, follow me as a priest," they recognized him and heard him. Does it seem too simple? To promote vocations we best promote silence. To hear his voice we must be quiet. To let him talk, we stop talking. Our first vocation, then, is not to priesthood, marriage, religious life, lay ecclesial ministry, deaconate, the single state. No. Our primary vocation is to know Jesus, the Good Shepherd, so well, that when he whispers to us in silence, we will hear his voice and follow his call. Then, we'll have all the vocations we need.

Authors Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Special occasion vocations World Day of Prayer for Vocatίons good shepherd sunday
Just ask: Ways to nurture vocations

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Occasion: World Day of Prayer for Vocations Readings: Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18 SEVERAL YEARS AGO I read an article in a Catholic newspaper in which the author told a story about a college student whom he felt might have a vocation to the priesthood. He talked to the young man and asked whether he had ever considered becoming a priest. When the young man said no, the author asked why. The young man's simple reply: "Nobody ever asked me." After that, the young man began to explore the idea and later entered a community of religious men. This story underscores the importance of inviting young people to consider a vocation beyond our baptismal call to follow the Good Shepherd and proclaim his gospel. It is up to all of us to nurture vocations by encouraging young people to consider ordained ministry and consecrated life, such as life as a religious brother or sister. Giving a young person this kind of prompting and feedback will help them see themselves in a different light. Too often a person feels he or she is not worthy or good enough to become a priest, sister, or brother. Somehow they think a person has to be perfect or that only holy people— certainly not they—are called to religious life. It is not a matter of worthiness or unworthiness. It is a matter of God’s will is for them. All of us can and should pray for vocations, but that is not enough. Vocations must be explained and promoted. Two significant places where this happens are the family and the parish. Every Catholic shares the responsibility to encourage young men and women to at least think about the possibility that God might be calling some of them to give their lives to Christ and to the building of the kingdom of God in this way. The Letter of John tells us that the reason the world does not know us Christians is because they do not know Christ. Each Christian must proclaim Christ, but God chooses some men and women to work “full time” to make him known. Some of these chosen ones might be right here in our parish. Maybe they have not yet discovered their call. The Letter of John tells us that the reason the world does not know us Christians is because they do not know Christ. Each Christian must proclaim Christ, but God chooses some men and women to work “full time” to make him known. Some of these chosen ones might be right here in our parish. Maybe they have not yet discovered their call. In the past many children had religious brothers and sisters as teachers in parochial schools or in their religious education classes and were somewhat familiar with their lifestyle. They also knew the parish priests better. Many parishes had more than one priest who shared pastoral duties and had more time to talk with parishioners. These priests and religious sisters and brothers provided role models. Today, on the contrary, many of our young people have little or no idea about the life and ministry of members of religious communities. Education about religious life is necessary because many young people’s only knowledge of this life is the sometimes poor characterization, especially of sisters, on television or in the movies. One thing each of us in the parish might do is to be aware of the potential vocations among our young people. If we encounter young women or men who participate in the Mass regularly, are service-oriented, strongly involved in parish life, and have the qualities of a sister or a priest, mentioning your observations can make a big difference. It is likely that they have thought about a possible vocation and your comments might inspire them and help them in their discernment. In his message for the 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Benedict says, “It is my hope that the local churches will become places where vocations are carefully discerned and their authenticity tested, places where young men and women are offered wise and strong spiritual direction.” Today, especially, on World Day of Prayer for Vocations, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, let us pray to our Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for us, to inspire young people to follow the call of service in the church. Reprinted with permission from VISION VocationNetwork.org

Authors Sister Margie Lavonis C.S.C.

Special occasion vocations World Day of Prayer for Vocatίons Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18

Word of the Week

17 November 2024

Presider’s Chair

\'pri-sīd-ərs 'cher\

Also known as the presidential chair, the seat in a parish church from which the celebrant leads the assembly during Mass. Its meaning derives from the chair, or cathedra in Latin, from which the diocesan bishop presides (from Latin meaning “to protect” or literally “to sit before”). The chair is a liturgical symbol of authority and pastoral leadership.

Pronunciation Read more

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