2012 Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week January 9-14, 2012

The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, January 9-14.

God calls us all to live our faith and seek out our vocation to become a deacon, priest, religious sister, married or single person. Perhaps God is calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life. Will you have the courage to follow your heart? We are all called to love and serve Him and one another. As we continue to walk in the light of Christ and to serve our Lord with our whole heart, mind and soul, may we be filled with the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and seek to forgive all who have hurt us. National Vocation Awareness Week is a time for reflection. During the week of January 9th-14th, we encourage all Catholics to:

Take time to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
Reflect on our own vocation and strengthen our personal relationship with Christ.
Educate our young people about the importance of silent prayer and taking the time to truly
Listen to God's voice in our hearts.

The observance of National Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 when the National Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year as the beginning of National Vocation Awareness Week. In 1997 this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks Jesus’ initiation into public ministry. At his baptism Jesus is named the Beloved Son of God. With this celebration we recommit ourselves to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Initiated through our baptism we too are commissioned to proclaim Good News with our lives.

Resources for National Vocation Awareness Week 2012 - nvaw_english(2012a).pdf Please feel free to download these files for your parish or school classroom use. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Abeel in the Office of Vocations at 989-705-3523.

Vocations Awareness Dinner 2012

A Vocations Awareness Dinner will be held on January 7, 2012 at St Mary Cathedral Parish Hall after the 5:00 pm Mass. Invitations have been sent to all parishes and schools. Pre-registration is necessary. This dinner is being held in conjunction with the beginning of Vocations Awareness Week, January 9-14, 2012. Watch your parish bulletins for more information very soon.