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So many times I have told people
that I always knew I wanted to
be a writer, but that’s not 100-percent true. There have also
been periods in my life when I wanted
to be a fighter pilot and a photographer.
And I always knew I wanted to be a wife
and a mother. So I have actually felt
called to a number of vocations in my
life.
Webster’s dictionary defines a vocation
as “a summons or strong inclination
to a particular state or course of
action.” In the Church we do a lot of
talking about vocations, mostly of the
religious kind. We will especially be
doing so this month with Vocation
Awareness Week (January 13-19 this
year).
SPONSORED LINKS
 Various Vocations
But the reality is that vocations come
in all shapes and sizes. One size definitely
does not fit all. And in many
ways, that is the beauty of vocations.
For just as we are not all called to religious
life, some people are not called to
marriage or parenthood. But each of
those vocations has its place and purpose
and should, therefore, be celebrated.
Just as in life, where vocations are
vast and varied, in the Church there are
many opportunities for service. Not
everyone is called to religious life as a
priest, nun, brother, deacon or associate.
But the Church could not function
without Communion ministers,
music ministers or members of bereavement,
marriage-preparation or pro-life
committees—just to name a few.
As many parishes struggle to function
without a resident priest, the value
of all those varied vocations has
become very clear.
Find Your Calling
Here are some suggestions to help
everyone get the most out of Vocation
Awareness Week:
Do some research. At your parish
there are lots of volunteer opportunities
and committees of which you could
be a part. If you enjoy singing, try out
the choir. Like decorating? Then volunteer
to help decorate the church for
different holy days/holidays. If you and
your spouse are looking for a way to
volunteer together, perhaps you both
could help engaged couples with marriage
preparation.
Many of these opportunities are
posted in the weekly bulletin, so keep
your eyes open. Or you could call your
parish office and ask about volunteer
opportunities.
Pray for all vocations. As a wife
and mother, I can tell you that most
times I am in desperate need of support
and prayers. While I wholeheartedly
agree that we need to pray for an
increase in vocations to religious life, I
would also like to ask for prayers for
those of us who choose a different path
to holiness.
Don’t think too big. Sometimes
when we think of vocations, I think
we talk ourselves out of things because
they seem too intimidating. Try to
think small. My husband, Mark, always
talked of being a kindergarten teacher.
For various reasons he didn’t pursue it
as a career, but is now fulfilling that call
he felt by coaching T-ball and softball
for our parish school, and helping me
teach religious education to five-year-olds.
Find your passion. It’s never too
late in life to find your vocation. In
fact, your vocation may change over
time. For instance, my sister-in-law is
currently in her second year of nursing
school after working for years as a
graphic designer. So even if you don’t
find your calling at first or now hear a
call to do something else, keep at it.
This month as we pray for vocations,
remember to pray for all of the many
vocations in our Church and in our
lives.
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