Bishop Kevin Farrell

The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Home » National Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week

January 14, 2013 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

National Vocations Awareness Week has a dual purpose; to remind us of the need for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and to make us aware of the responsibility each of has to discern vocations in others.

Many times people are unaware of the gifts that God has given to them. Others are often more aware of a person’s gifts from observing them than they are themselves. This is certainly true of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

It is, of course, the responsibility of parents to discern and nurture vocations in their children, but it is also the responsibility of the community. The community has a significant role in discerning vocations in its members. The calling forth of vocations has a long tradition in the Church, not only for priests and religious, but for deacons and even bishops. Prime examples would be St. Stephen and the first deacons, (Acts 6) and St. Ambrose of Milan. In the Hebrew Scriptures, It was Eli who first recognized God’s calling the prophet Samuel . (1 Samuel 3:7-11)

God’s call is easily drowned out in the cacophony of today’s world. It is up to each of us to play the role of Eli. If we discern a potential vocation to the priesthood or religious life in another we should speak up and invite that person to consider the priesthood or religious life.

How often have you invited someone to consider becoming a priest, a sister or a brother? Now is a good time to begin

This post is also available in/Esta entrada también está disponible en: Spanish

Filed Under: Being Catholic Tagged With: En Español, Vocations

← Immigration is a natural right Roe vs. Wade remembered →

Bishop Farrell on Twitter

Follow @Bishop_Farrell

About Bishop Farrell

Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell was appointed Seventh Bishop of Dallas on March 6, 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI.
   
MORE ON BISHOP FARRELL

Recent Posts

  • Bishop Farrell’s homily for Mass of Thanksgiving
  • Prefect of the new Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life
  • Simple acts of kindness
  • Prayer does not need words, it only needs faith
  • Baton Rouge

Bishop's Favorite Sites

  • Bishop Farrell Invitational
  • Bishop's Annual Appeal
  • Catholic Charities of Dallas
  • Catholic Diocese of Dallas
  • Catholic News Service
  • Catholic Pro-Life Committee
  • Catholic Schools of Dallas
  • Our Faith Our Future
  • The Catholic Foundation
  • The Vatican
  • USCCB

Sitius favoritos del Obispo

  • Campaña Anual del Obispo
  • Comité Católico Pro-Vida
  • El Vaticano