There could not have been a better time in which to celebrate National Vocations Awareness Week this year as eight deacons prepare themselves to be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Perth on 1 August 2015.
The eight men, who will soon be prostrating themselves in the sanctuary to pray for the intercession of the Saints, all have a history, a starting point, through which the Lord has encouraged them and led them with tenderness to become shepherds of His sheep.
Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Perth, Fr Jean-Noël Marie recently stated that these men were initially apprehensive and unsure as they set out on their journey of discernment – they were in disbelief that God was calling them despite their sinfulness and inadequacies.
“Today, they stand as proof of what the Lord can do out of something small. All He asks us to do is to offer our five barley loaves and our two fish and trust in Him to transform us into joyful fishers of people,” Fr Jean-Noël said.
To promote National Vocations Awareness Week, which runs from 2 to 9 August, the Archdiocese of Perth is inviting all single men of goodwill, 18 years and over, to two events aimed at exploring the notion of ‘vocation’ within the Catholic Church.
The first will be held on Sunday, 9 August 2015 at St Charles’ Seminary, Guildford, and will feature a Vocations Enquiry Afternoon starting at 4pm.
The second will take place the following Sunday, 16 August, and will be celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, who will lead a Holy Hour for Vocations at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth at 3pm. This will include silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Reflections and Benediction.
Fr Jean-Noël also stated that Vocations Awareness Week is, above all, a blessed and unique opportunity to urge and remind all people of goodwill of their responsibility to actively and relentlessly pray, promote and facilitate new vocations from within our own milieu by identifying and encouraging potential candidates suited for the priesthood to come forward.
“We are asking the mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of those that the Lord is calling to play their part and be the agents of God’s grace and the voice of the Father of all mercies who has promised to give us Shepherds after His own heart.
“They can do this by praying for more vocations and by encouraging their sons and brothers to respond positively and courageously to the Lord’s call.
“In essence, we are calling upon all parishes to be more proactive and assertive in encouraging the people they know to respond positively to the Lord’s call. We need to help these men, someone needs to affirm their vocation, they should not be left to decide and discern their calling all on their own. Fostering vocations is a communal mission and duty,” Fr Jean-Noël said.
Identifying young men who could potentially enter the seminary, according to Fr Jean-Noël, would also require an intensive campaign of information and education to support those who are discerning their calling to make informed decisions about their future.
“Also, some people may not quite comprehend the distinction between Diocesan priesthood and a call to the religious life. There, the Vocations Director would be able to assist them to seeing more clearly into what our Lord is calling them to be and to do for His people.
“Answering the Lord’s call to service in the Church would be a call not only to a life of total self-giving but also of tremendous joy.
“It is a wonderful journey; we need to encourage people to respond courageously. We need to talk about vocations with enthusiasm and passion. We need more good shepherds now more than ever, this is the time. Our people are hungry and thirsty for justice and truth,” Fr Jean-Noël said.
His final words may potentially strike a chord in many men who feel they are perhaps not up to the standard of priesthood.
“Some people may think ‘I am too shy, not holy enough… I am a sinner, I cannot study.’ God did not call perfect people. There are many sincere, honest and decent young men out there that the Lord has been calling. He will not stop knocking on the door of their hearts. He is waiting for them to surrender to His will.
“Jesus could have gone to the Temple of Jerusalem to select his twelve apostles, but he went to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he called fishermen – weak and simple men. He chooses those who have the heart of shepherd.
“As members of the community that surrounds these young men, we should take an active part in sowing seeds, affirming, calling and inviting them to consider the priesthood,” Fr Jean-Noël concluded.
All are welcome on Sunday, 16 August to join the Archbishop in praising the Lord for the gift of our vocations and to pray that more from our own midst will respond courageously to God’s call so that the hunger of God’s holy people for more good shepherds may be satisfied.
For more information or to register your interest for the Vocations Enquiry Afternoon at St Charles’ Seminary (30 Meadow Street, Guildford) on Sunday, 9 August, please call Fr Jean-Noël Marie, the Vocations Director, on 08 9279 1310 or email him on admin@seminary-perthcatholic.com.au.