Dear Brother Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons, Consecrated Men and Women, and Lay Faithful,
Please see below some very important information and live links to help us celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, which is coming up soon. Please note especially number 7 inviting you and me to spend one hour before the Blessed Sacrament on Monday November 3rd asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his vineyard. Thank you.
+ Gregory
Dear Brother Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons, Consecrated Men and Women, and Lay Faithful,
Each year, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week, which in 2025 will take place from November 2 to 8.
This is a sacred opportunity for our Eparchy to renew our prayer and our commitment to promote vocations to the priesthood, religious life, marriage, and the generous single life.
This year, as we also celebrate the Consecration and Dedication of the Church on November 2 and November 9, I invite every parish to dedicate these two Sundays to focus on the four vocations that build up the Body of Christ—priesthood, religious life, marriage, and the single life lived in generous service.
Below are some suggestions and resources to assist you in promoting and preaching about vocations:
Preach and teach about vocations. In your homily, speak about the beauty of the four vocations and offer practical ways to hear and answer God’s call—especially the call to priesthood and religious life.
Involve your catechists and youth. (Share the Vocation Curriculum (Vocation Curricula 2024 - Google Drive) (K–3, 4–6, and MYO) with catechists, families, and MYO leaders to help children and teens understand and value the different vocations. (see attached) Also promote videos of different vocations on our YouTube channel(Vocation - YouTube).
Invite witnesses. Ask a priest, religious sister or brother, and a married couple to share their vocation stories with your parish, Sunday School, MYO, or MYA groups.
Encourage families to pray together during this week, asking the Lord to bless our Church with holy priests, dedicated religious, and faithful Christian families. (see Prayer Card linked Office of Vocations — Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn)
Promote our Maronite religious communities. Maronite Monks of Adoration (Petersham, MA) and the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light (Dartmouth, MA). Encourage parishioners, especially young adults, to learn more about their life and mission.
Invite a visit or collaboration. For a possible visit of a priest or religious to your parish during this week, please contact Fr. Manuel Rahmeh, Director of Vocations, or Sister Therese Maria or any of the Vocations Eparchial Team.
Pray before the Lord. I invite all priests, deacons, subdeacons and religious on Monday, November 3, to offer one hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, thanking God for your own vocation and asking Him to raise up holy vocations for our Eparchy and for the entire Church.
Let us continue to faithfully witness, encourage, and cultivate vocations in our Eparchy.
Thank you for your pastoral care and your prayerful support for those discerning God’s call.
+ Gregory