Priesthood Sunday USA | October 26, 2008 >> Priesthood Sunday | Liturgy Planning >> Priesthood Sunday | Suggested Talking Points

Priesthood Sunday Liturgy Ideas - II
Talking points about vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Ideas about what parishes can do to stimulate the conversation. 
1.
Examine the history of success in the parish encouraging vocations to the priesthood.  Ask these questions:
  • When was the last time you had a parishioner ordained for the priesthood? 
  • What type of encouragement from the parish helped that candidate during his years in the seminary?
  • What is the priest doing now after his ordination?
  • Perhaps, this priest could be contacted to put together a letter that can be published in the bulletin about the previous questions.


2.
Invite a seminarian to speak after Mass about his experience being in the seminary today.  Have him address these questions:
  • Given all the problems the Church faces today (e.g. the challenges from the sexual abuse scandal, the issue of homosexual marriage, the place of women in ministry, etc.) what moves him to want to be ordained a Roman Catholic priest?
  • What kind of classes does a candidate for the priesthood take?
  • What kind of daily prayer life is expected in a candidate for the priesthood?
  • How often does he meet with his spiritual director?  What does he talk about with a spiritual director? 
  • What kinds of men are in the seminary today?  Age?  Background – recent college graduate, a man with ten years experience in the business world, etc. Geography – are the seminarians all from Chicago?
  • What concerns do seminarians have today?
  • What does he hope to do after ordination?  Become an associate pastor, a pastor, or some other ministry?
3.
Have a seminarian from the parish address some of the questions in number two above in an article or a series of articles for the bulletin.
  • Ask a parent about how they handled the news that their son was interested in a vocation to the Catholic priesthood?  Did they at first discourage him or tell him the life of a Catholic priesthood was too hard?  Did they react positively to his desire to become a priest?
  • Who did the seminarian contact regarding his interest in the Catholic priesthood?  The college or major seminary?  A diocesan recruiter for the seminary?  A priest who he admired?  Someone from the guidance center or campus ministry at his college? 
4.
Print information in the bulletin about whom a young man should contact in your diocese, if he has an interest in the priesthood.  Run this information in the bulletin regularly.
5.
Sample petitions for the prayer of the faithful composed by Ms. Ginny McGhee, Program Director, ODW, Archdiocese of Chicago:
  • May we call upon God to guide us in all our ways, and help us discern our paths in life, let us pray to the Lord,
  • May we be inspired to search out Christ through a genuine love for sacred scripture, let us pray to the Lord.
  • May we all be open to the call to imitate Christ in seeking out the lost and ministering to all, let us pray to the Lord,
  • May our community support and care for all who are prayerfully discerning following Christ in ordained ministry, let us pray to the Lord,
6.
A prayer based on the English or Spanish Sacramentary and one based on Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers could be recited by the community as a Communion meditation.  These prayers could also be printed on a Holy Card and given to the people as they enter or leave church so that they could say them at home.

    Please consult the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions in the Sacramentary. In No. 8, you will find the Mass for Priestly Vocations.  The opening prayer of this Mass makes a good Communion meditation or prayer for a Holy Card:


    Father,

    in your plan for our salvation you provide shepherds for your people.

    Fill your Church with the spirit of courage and love.

    Raise up worthy ministers for your altars

    and ardent but gentle servants of the Gospel.

    We ask this through Christ our Lord.

    Amen. 

    In the Spanish Misal Romano, no. 9 in the Masses and Prayers Pro Diversas Necesidades, you will find the Misa Por las Vocaciones Sacerdotalis. 

    Señor, tu que eres quien provee

    de pastores a la comunidad cristiana,

    haz que tu Espíritu suscite en ella

    sacerdotes dignos del altar

    y los llene de piedad y fortaleza

    para anunciar tu Evangelio.

    Por Jesucristo, nuestro Senor.
    Amen.

    Please check the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, published by the NCCB in 1988. There is an excellent Blessing for the Special Occasions of Life on page 324 that could be adapted as a Communion Meditation or used on a Holy Card. Our adaptation of this prayer would read:

    Lord God,

    from the abundance of your generous love,

    provide vocations to the priesthood.

    Bless our efforts to encourage new vocations.

    Strengthen our candidates for the priesthood.

    Fill them with courage and give them a strong faith.

    May they rejoice in the opportunity to preach the Gospel

    and to celebrate the sacraments with your people.

    We ask this through Christ our Lord.

7.
  We acknowledge the assistance of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Office for Divine Worship, Rev. Robert Tuzik, Special Projects Director, for the following talking points liturgy ideas, prayers, and music.


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