Vocations Resources
Check out the various resources below.
Vocation Study Guides for both Adults and Youth, prepared from The Episcopal Teaching Series, by Bishop Serratelli
Adult Study Guide - PDF
Youth Study Guide - PDF
Stirring into Flame: Creating a Vocation Culture
Bishop Serratelli unveiled the diocese's new Strategic Action Plan, "Stirring into Flame: Creating a Vocation Culture in the Diocese of Paterson," March 16 at Convocation 2006 at St. Peter the Apostle School here. The initiative identifies ways we can respond to the plan's five "pastoral priorities" for fostering vocations: praying, evangelizing, experiencing, mentoring and to inviting - as a diocese, as parishes and as individuals.
Following is an outline of the five "pastoral priorities" as detailed in a booklet that parishes have received, which details the diocesan, parish and individual responses to those priorities.
To Pray
Diocesan response. The bishop will promulgate a pastoral letter announcing the creation of a 'vocation culture' in the diocese. The Office of Worship and Spirituality will develop a diocesan-sponsored schedule of prayer for vocations. The Vocation Awareness Committee will create a common vocation prayer that will be distributed through the offices of the Secretariat for Evangelization.
Parish response. Parishes will incorporate a prayer for vocations in the prayer of the faithful. Parish liturgy committee/planners will develop regular opportunities for prayers for vocations at the parish level, such as Holy Hours, rosary and traveling chalice.
Personal response. Families will develop a culture of prayer. Each person will make an individual commitment to pray for vocations.
To Evangelize
Diocesan Response. The Office for Parish Catechetics and the School Office will review the curriculum for religious education programs and Catholic schools to incorporate an element on vocations at each grade level. Every presider, preacher, parish, school and religious education program will observe in some way National Vocations Awareness Week and World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Parish response. Parishes will identify or reactivate a parish liaison for vocations to work with the Vocation Awareness Committee of the diocese. Parish leadership (such as pastors, principals, religious education coordinators and youth ministers) will use one or more opportunities each year to promote a 'culture of vocations' among parents, teachers, catechists, parish ministers and others.
Personal response. Parents will take seriously their primary responsibility to hand on the faith to their children. They will commit themselves to weekly worship and to the enrollment of their children in a catechetical program. Every Catholic home will acquire and use a Catholic Bible and a "The Catechism of the Catholic Church."
To Experience
Diocesan response. The Vocations Office will plan regular occasions for young people to meet informally with the bishop, the primary vocation minister of the diocese. The Vocation Awareness Committee will continue to conduct vocation fairs, retreats and parish and youth events. The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will incorporate a vocation segment in the diocesan Christian Leadership Experience.
Parish response. Each parish will create occasions for young people to informally interact with local priests and religious. Each parish will incorporate service opportunities into every youth ministry and confirmation program. Parish leadership will take advantage of the diocesan vocation awareness programs offered each year.
Personal response. Every adult in the diocese will personally invite and encourage a young person to consider a vocation to ordained ministry or consecrated life. Every eligible person will ask, "Am I being called to ordained ministry or consecrated life?" Invited persons will take the opportunity to participate in discernment programs offered by the diocese, such as the EnRoute program and retreats.
To Mentor
Diocesan response. The diocese will continue to support the Vocations Office as well as the Vocation Awareness Committee. The Office of Campus Ministry, with the Vocation Awareness Committee, will create a program of vocation awareness for college-age students.
Parish response. Every parish, to the best of its ability, will provide resources for a youth ministry program. Every parish will attempt to establish a young adult outreach program. Every parish will offer young people the opportunity for spiritual formation such as via retreats, spiritual mentoring, pilgrimages.
Personal response. Parents and godparents will take seriously their role to mentor their children in the life of faith. Every young adult will be invited to consider a ministry within the local parish.
To Invite
Diocesan response. The diocese will create and implement a marketing program for ordained ministry and consecrated life. The Knights of Columbus, the Serrans and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will design an action plan to assist the diocese in vocation awareness efforts.
Parish response. The parish vocation liaison will establish a local vocation committee. Priests will invite young people to consider ordained ministry or consecrated life. Parish staff will identify and send names to the Vocations Office for inclusion in the diocesan discernment program.
Personal response. Parishioners will pray for and affirm those in priesthood and religious life. Parishioners will pray for and affirm people who are potential candidates to the ordained ministry and consecrated life. Parishioners will extend a personal invitation to a young man or woman to be a priest, brother or sister.
- Michael Wojcik