Members of Vocation Ministries in parishes of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., gathered on Oct. 24 for a workshop to support their efforts to build a local “culture of vocations” that encourages priesthood, religious life, and marriage, held that morning at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J. During the event, participants were encouraged to promote family life as the foundation of vocations in all their forms.
Twenty people attended the workshop — from parishioners currently involved in a Vocation Ministry to those who want to learn more or start a group. The diocesan Vocations Office and diocesan Family Life Office collaborated on the event. Religious sisters also attended the workshop.
In her presentation, Eni Honsberger, director of the Office of Family Life, shared statistics showing that, over the past more than 50 years in the United States, church marriages have declined by more than 60 percent.
Despite the decline in church weddings—and in priestly and religious vocations, Catholics should still promote vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and marriage as an answer to a call to serve others. In marriage, a husband and wife give themselves to each other for life. In the priesthood, a priest gives himself to the Church. In religious life, sisters and brothers give their lives to Christ alone, Honsberger said.
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Catholic parents also need to model strong relationships with their spouses and children who are watching them. Parents need to demonstrate kindness even on days when they are tired and frustrated, ask for forgiveness when they are wrong, and express joy, Honsberger said.
“A solid family isn’t a perfect family. It’s one where promises are kept, and wounds are repaired. The next priest of this diocese is probably sitting at a kitchen table tonight, watching his parents decide whether to keep their promises,” Honsberger said.
Honsberger suggested that parishes promote family life by placing long-married couples beside a priest or sister at each vocations event, hold a blessing for couples celebrating significant anniversaries at Sunday Mass with the youth group present, and plan a joint event with the parish’s Family Life Team.
At the beginning of the workshop, Father Charles Lana Jr., diocesan vocations director, welcomed the participants and provided Vocations Office updates — the number of seminarians, overall statistics on the priesthood and vocations events.
The Vocations Office seeks to equip parish Vocation Ministries to create a culture of vocations by building community, providing resources to uplift all vocations, and involving priests, deacons, sisters, and especially parishioners.
“Promoting vocations is one of the most important things parishes can do. Vocation Ministries are a practical way for parish to accomplish this.” Father Lana said.
