There is no question that serving at the altar fosters vocations to the priesthood and permanent diaconate. Absolutely none – at least based on the two parishes I attend.
Spiller;3534682:
Why don’t more parishes just work-through the excuses and make the commitment to identify, recruit and train males who might just possibly have such vocations from God to serve at the altar? Yes, it might take a huge effort – an effort long handled by sisters and nuns teaching in our schools who are often no longer around.
You want to increase priests? This seems like it would be one sure step…
I agree with your assessment. This is especially true with some of the posters on this Forum. They complain about everything that is wrong with Church,is because of Vatican II.
You said that Sisters and Nuns helped foster vocations to the priesthood.And that they are often no longer around. Yes this is true in some places. Which to say there is need also to help foster young girls and women to think about a religious vocation to
being a Sister or a Nun. In fact maybe we need more religious women and also religious men as Brothers. In the debate on the lack of priestly vocations, we are missing the need to discuss
and encourage people to consider religious life. They are important
to the whole Church.
So, what is being done and could be done? Well I can only
comment on my local parish and Archdiocese. In my parish,our Pastor, Father G. talks about himself being a priest with the many
blessings and joys he has received and continues to receive. He said that he won’t change a thing about becoming a priest. At this time we have 4 young men (High school seniors & early college)
considering the priesthood. Granted they are only looking at the possibility of becoming a priest, but at least that’s a step in the right direction. Oh, by the way these young men are the product of our parish Life Teen program ( Some people totally hate LT).We
encourage them to become a priest.
In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles there are currently
52seminarians at various stages. Not too bad for a “unorthodox” Archdiocese. Although, it could be better. We take what the Holy Spirit gives us right? We always look at the numbers game from human standards, and not God’s. With God He always starts something with just a few in the beginning. Then after awhile it builds and then takes off. The result may take years to accomplish.
The Archdiocese has started something new. During this years Youth Day, all parishes that had someone interested in becoming a priest or a religious Sister were to send two from the that parish to a luncheon. At this luncheon, the Cardinal,some of the Regional
Bishops and a couple of Sisters sat with the young people. They had hot dogs, got some free things, chance to talk with aforementioned and a workshop talk by Bob Mc Carty ( a well known Catholic workshop presenter on Youth Ministry/Con-
formation). The four young men from my parish were in attendance
I don’t know the particulars of this luncheon. I was only the adult male champonone who just walked them over to drop them off. And to pick them up afterwards.
There is a very good DVD resource available.
“FISHERS OF MEN” - 18 minutes-Color
Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The video has several priests talk about their vocation and the fulfillment of being a priest. It’s fast-paced that shows the facets of
a priests daily lives. There is also a reenactment of a young priest
at the scene of a car accident administering the Sacrament of Healing which turns out to be the Last Rites to a young man. The
video is also meant to encourage men to consider the priesthood.
Where can you get it? Try your parish,they may have a copy. If not try your Archdiocesan or Diocesan Office for Vocations. If none of them have it, go to www.usccb.org****
NOTE: The DVD comes with a Overview and discussion questions
Spanish Audio & Subtitles
