Vocations

Despite a culture of self-sufficiency that pushes people to do without God and the death of priests in some parts of the world, "the certainty that Christ inspires men shall never fail." Like the Apostles who left all other occupations, they totally devote themselves to celebrating the sacred mysteries, preaching the Gospel and performing the pastoral ministry,
the 'one essential mission'.
(Benedict XVI)

The World Needs Christ – Christ Needs You

Have you considered serving the Elphin Diocese as a Diocesan Priest? If you feel you may have a vocation to Diocesan Priesthood, please contact your local priest or Fr. Jim Murray, Carraroe, Sligo. Tel: 071-9162136 or Fr. John Coughlan, Deerpark Road, Athlone. Tel: 090-6490575. Or e.mail vocations@elphindiocese.ie for further information.

New Vocations Committee in the Diocese of Elphin

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”… Matthew 4:19

Priesthood in the Elphin Diocese

Every generation down through the centuries has witnessed people following the Lord in a particular way through priesthood and religious life. They have come from different places, backgrounds and professions, as the call of the Lord has moved them to respond with generosity and courage in proclaiming the message of hope, love and courage which is the central message of the Gospel in a changeable and sometimes difficult world.

The Diocese of Elphin has been no exception to the rule as over the centuries hundreds of young men and women have responded to the call of the Lord and have dedicated their lives in a particular way to serving our diocese. Every parish and place of prayer has a long and distinguished history in serving the Lord and promoting the message of the Gospel. Today in our Diocese, like many others we face the challenge of falling number accepting the call of the Lord to serve him as priests and religious. Now more than ever we need to promote vocations, conscious of the request of the Lord: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38.
The Lord is constantly calling and it is important that we allow and encourage young people not only to hear the call, but to respond with generosity. Down through the centuries we have received a rich heritage of faith contained in the sacrament from others who had the courage to respond. Today and into the future the task of nurturing the faith and spreading the Gospel rests with us. Let us have the courage and faith to respond. If you feel called to Diocesan Priesthood please contact your local priest or one of the following:
Fr. Jim Murray, Carraroe, Co.Sligo. Tel: 071-9162136
Fr. John Coughlan, Deerpark Road, Athlone. Tel: 090-6490575.
Or email vocations@elphindiocese.ie for further information.

What is a Diocesan Priest?

“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people”… Luke 5:10

A diocesan priest is one who is called to serve people in a particular diocese and parish. The Bishop has been placed by Christ as head of the diocese and the priest serves in obedience to and collaboration with him, serving mostly in parishes. In the parish the priest administers the sacraments, cares for the needs of the people in good and bad times and helps to promote the message of Christ. It is a call to give your life to making Christ’s presence real through the sacraments and especially through the Eucharist.

What is a Vocation?

In the simplest terms, “vocation” means a “call.” Every vocation starts with a preliminary call, but naturally every call and every journey is different. Your vocation is what God is calling you to do with your life.
Individual vocations vary between being single, married, consecrated, religious or a priest. God gives each of us a particular mission in life. As we grow and life progresses, God reveals it to us, as a gently invitation rather than an obligation. The call to vocation in the Church is a call to use your gifts, talents and abilities to help build up the Kingdom of God.

Your Call

If you feel called to Diocesan Priesthood please talk to your local priest or to our Diocesan Vocation Directors listed above. This meeting may help you to discern your vocation and help with some real planning for the future.

Prayer to Discover Your Vocation

Almighty God,
You have made me to know you,
To love you, and to serve you,
And thereby to find and fulfil myself.

I know that you are in all things
And that every path can lead me to you,
But, of them all, there is one path especially
By which you want me to come to you.

Since I will do what you want of me,
I pray you; send your Holy Spirit to me;
Into my mind to show me what you want of me;
Into my heart to give me the determination to do it,
And to do it with all my love, with all my mind,
And with all my strength, right to the end.
Amen.

Bishop Christopher Jones had appointed a new Vocations Committee in the Diocese. The members are:

Benedict XVI is urging Catholics to pray for vocations with the confidence that God never ceases to call, and that he will give the graces for a generous response.
The Pope affirmed this in his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
“Pray!” he urged the Church, emphasizing that “prayer for vocations should be continuous and trusting.”
Benedict XVI noted: “Our first duty, therefore, is to keep alive in families and in parishes, in movements and in apostolic associations, in religious communities and in all the sectors of diocesan life this appeal to the divine initiative with unceasing prayer.
“We must pray that the whole Christian people grow in its trust in God, convinced that the ‘Lord of the harvest’ does not cease to ask some to place their entire existence freely at his service so as to work with him more closely in the mission of salvation.”

Prayer for Vocations

God our Father, send workers into your harvest.
May the Spirit we received in baptism
Touch the hearts of many
To offer themselves in priesthood, religious life
And other forms of service.
Give the parents and families of our diocese
The wisdom and courage to support young people
In searching for and following the call of God in their lives.