Homily for Good Shepherd Sunday – Day of Prayer for Vocations! April 22 2018
Tag: vocations
Vocations Questionnaire
Did you know our diocese has a Vocations Commission? Are you aware of what they do to promote Vocations in our Diocese and our parishes? Find out more on our Diocesan website here.
The Vocations Commission is inviting you to fill out a questionnaire to find out what you believe are the most effective ways of promoting Vocations in our Diocese. It is the responsibility of everyone to create in our parishes a culture of Vocations, a space where God`s voice is actively heard and listened to. The Diocesan Vocations Commission is simply here to help facilitate that process. Have you spoke to anyone about their Vocation recently?
Please help us by completing and submitting this questionnaire.
The document can be downloaded here for emailing Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert
The PDF can be downloaded for print here Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert
Homily Holy Family Dec 31
Homily for December 31st, 2017, Feast of the Holy Family.
(I apologize the audio was cut off at the beginning)
Blessings to you and your families!
Career Fair 2017
Career Fair 2017 – by Fr. Jim Kaptein
What does ICHTHUS mean? This was a question I asked over 200 times at a Career Fair in Prince Albert. For those of you who do not know, Ichthus is a Greek word meaning fish. However it is also an acronym for Iēsous CHristos THeou Uios Sōtēr meaning Jesus Christ Son of God Savior. Needless to say there were not many students who knew that. But because we had a few pictures of fish on our display board, they were able to surmise it meant fish. We had small plastic key chains in the shape of a stylized fish, and some recognized them as “The Jesus Fish” but when we told them why it is the Jesus fish—that it is an acronym for “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior” they were absolutely spellbound and enthralled.
This lead to the conversation about why we are present at a Career Fair, and about God calling us to a special Vocation, and how, if we want to be truly happy, we need to respond to that call. When I told them that all the other booths at the career fair could help them get a career, but only by heeding the vocation God is calling us to, could you be truly happy; the students were completely hooked. I have to give the students a lot of credit, all but one student chose happiness over riches, and the one exception wanted both.
I want to thank Fr. Travis Myrheim, and Bev Robin, both members of the Vocations commission, for helping set up, take down, and talking to 550 of the 2,900 students who came to the career fair. I cannot guarantee that we will have 550 new priests and sisters in 10 years, but I can guarantee that there are 550 students who know that they are being called by Jesus in a special way. Let us all pray that the seed of this vocation will grow in each of them.
Download the full Vocations Newsletter Vocations Newsletter Fall 2017
Rosary for Vocations
The Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries: Rosaries for Vocations
As this is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima, let us ask Our Lady of Fatima to intercede on our behalf, as we for an increase of Vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese.
The Joyful Mysteries: A Rosary for Vocations
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Mary answers “Yes” to God’s call. Even though it was unexpected and the Archangel gives her only the details she needs to know at the present moment, she responds generously. Let us offer this decade for those who are being called to the priesthood or religious life that they, like Mary, may have the grace to respond whole-heartedly.
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Mary wastes no time in acting upon the grace of her vocation. Through her cooperation the plan of salvation is already unfolding. Let us pray for all those who accept to live a single life. May God’s grace hurry them forward to answer the call and thus begin to labor for the harvest.
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Our Savior comes to us in the midst of a family. How crucial is the role of the family! Let us offer this decade for all loving wives and husbands, for parents that they may provide an atmosphere of love and faith in the home, and for trusting children.
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation
Joseph and Mary presented Jesus in the Temple and dedicated Him to Almighty God. They knew their Son was a gift from God to be given back to Him. Let us offer this decade for deacons and brothers. May they be faithful signs of God’s presence in their midst.
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
This mystery tells of a very unplanned event in the life of Joseph and Mary. For days their hearts ached with sorrow until they found their Son. Let us offer this decade for those who have been called in any vocation but are hesitating. Like Joseph and Mary, may they continue to discern God’s will in their lives and accept it with courage and peace.
As this is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima, let us ask Our Lady of Fatima to intercede on our behalf, as we for an increase of Vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese.
The Luminous Mysteries: A Rosary for Vocations
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus
The mystery of our Lord’s Baptism is the mystery of Jesus taking upon Himself the mission of the Messiah. Thus begins His public ministry. Let us offer this decade for deacons and brothers. Lord, grant them the courage and fidelity in accepting the mission to which they are called.
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast of Cana
Through the intercession of Mary, Jesus transforms ordinary water into extraordinary wine. What incredible things God’s grace can do in our lives! Let us offer this decade for those who are called to live the single life. May they trust in the power of God to bring all things into completion as they say “yes” to His call.
3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
Our Lord begins His public ministry by announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God. What joyous news this is for all humanity to hear! Let us offer this decade for those who are fearful to accept their vocation. May they learn to accept the will of God and bear witness to it throughout their lives.
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Jesus strengthened the faith of His Apostles by allowing His divinity to be momentarily perceived. Let us offer this decade for all the women and men called to the sacrament of Matrimony. As they strive to live faithfully, may they become loving and gracious parents.
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Holy Eucharist
The gift of the Most Holy Eucharist is a mystery going beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Jesus gives Himself in the Holy Eucharist through the ministry of His priests. Let us offer this decade for all priests and religious. May God call many more and may they respond generously in love and peace.
As this is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima, let us ask Our Lady of Fatima to intercede on our behalf, as we for an increase of Vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese.
The Sorrowful Mysteries: A Rosary for Vocations
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Jesus asked His Apostles to pray so that they “might not enter into temptation.” Our Lord knew they needed to pray in order to endure what would soon happen. Let us pray for those men and women whom God is calling to be priests, religious, deacons, single people or married couples, that they might respond courageously to God’s call, and to cultivate a deep and abiding life of prayer in order to remain faithful to the end.
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Our Lord’s suffering during the scourging was excruciating. For our sake Jesus offered himself to obtain our salvation. Let us offer this decade for the grace that many people might feel the desire in their hearts to offer themselves to God as deacons or single people. May their years of service be a beacon of life for others.
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
Jesus endured the terrible ridicule and mockery of the soldiers even to the point of accepting the painful crown of thorns. Let us offer this decade for those who have a calling to the priesthood but find it difficult to say “yes” because of painful obstacles in their lives or the inability to leave the pleasures of our modern world.
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
On the way to Calvary, our Lord found comfort and assistance from a number of people: Simon of Cyrene, the women of Jerusalem, His Mother, and Veronica. How much those acts of love must have meant to Jesus! Let us offer this decade for the grace to always support, with our prayers and sacrifices, those whom God is calling to religious life.
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
At the foot of the Cross, there came into existence a new type of family. Before Jesus died He entrusted to the maternal care of Mary all of humanity, represented in the person of the “beloved disciple.” Let us offer this decade for those who are being called to the married life. Help them, Lord, to see that in serving you their family will be stronger and more fulfilled.
As this is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima, let us ask Our Lady of Fatima to intercede on our behalf, as we for an increase of Vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese.
The Glorious Mysteries: A Rosary for Vocations
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
Our Lord’s Resurrection brought tremendous joy to His sorrowful followers. Never were their lives to be the same again. Let us offer this decade for an increase in grace in the hearts of those who are being called to be diocesan or religious priests. May they experience the immense joy of giving God their entire lives and saying “yes” to His call.
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Jesus ascended into Heaven, not to abandon us, but to be our hope. He continually intercedes for us before the throne of the Father and prepares a place for His faithful followers in the heavenly Kingdom. Let us offer this decade for an increase in the number of married couples who strive faithfully to attain their heavenly homeland. May these men and women always recognize the irreplaceable mission they have in raising their children in the faith through prayer and example.
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The coming of the Holy Spirit transformed the timid Apostles into bold witnesses for the Gospel. The Church was sent forth with courage and zeal! Let us offer this decade for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon all He has chosen to labor as deacons or single people. May they respond boldly to the invitation to lay down their lives for Christ and His Church.
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary
The Second Vatican Council reminded us that Mary’s role in salvation history did not end with her Assumption into Heaven. She continually intercedes for all of us, her children, as we journey through life. Let us offer this decade asking Mary to intercede for an abundance of faithful and dedicated clergy and laity who will continue to serve in the various ministries of the Church.
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary
This mystery brings before us the beauty of the faithfulness of Mary, the first disciple of the Lord. She who referred to herself as the “handmaid of the Lord” is now exalted far above even the Angels. The one who said “yes” to God in all things is now the Queen of heaven and earth. Let us offer this decade for those who have been called to religious life that they may always have the grace to serve God with joy.
