Vocations Office to host coffee talk sessions during National Vocations Awareness Week

January 1, 0001

HOUSTON — The Catholic Church in the U.S. will celebrate National Vocations Awareness Week, Nov. 4 to 10. This annual event is a special time for parishes in the U.S. to actively foster and pray for a culture of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.

National Vocations Awareness Week, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, is designed to help promote vocation awareness and to encourage young people to ask the question: “To what vocation in life is God calling me?”

“We believe, as Catholics, that every person has a unique call from God; a unique God-given destiny to fulfill,” said Father Richard McNeillie, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Vocations. “The week’s goal is that every Catholic, especially our younger ones, remember their call from God and try to discover it.”

Parish and school communities across the nation are encouraged to include, during the first full week in November, prayer and special activities that focus on vocation awareness.

The Archdiocesan Office of Vocations is hosting “Vocations Coffee Talk” at area Catholic schools and at the Catholic Newman Center at the University of Houston.

“The purpose is to encounter the youth and young adults in their school setting, engage them in dialogue about vocations, and answer any questions while meeting them right where they are in their journey of faith,” said Marlon Barao, associate director for the Archdiocesan Office of Vocations.

Observance of Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 when the U.S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for the celebration. It was later moved to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January. The USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations moved the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week to November to engage Catholic schools and colleges more effectively in this effort.

More information and resources for National Vocations Awareness Week, including a prayer card, homily aids, suggested prayers of the faithful and bulletin-ready quotes are available online at: www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/national-vocation-awareness-week.cfm. For more local resources, contact the Office of Vocations by calling 713-652-8239 or by visiting houstonvocations.com online.