Diocesan Programs
Good Shepherd Sunday Suggestions
Our Vocation Commission would like to assist in any preparations for the Good Shepherd Sunday. Here are a few ideas we have gathered from the Vocations Resource Binder. Please feel free to use any ideas from this letter or from the binder that you find appropriate for your parish.
Announcement before mass
Greetings on behalf of the Diocesan Vocation Commission! It is with a sense of renewed hope and faith that the Vocation Commission is back in action. Our mission is to bring awareness to our God-given vocations. Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and it is a day dedicated to prayers for Vocations. It is also an opportunity to reflect on our call to bring the message of hope to all the world.
Opening Prayer
Dear Lord, as you call men and women from amongst your faithful people; help us each to foster this call with our prayers and support. May you strengthen each of us so that our lives and our words proclaim your goodness. Give us your spirit to guide those from our community to hear Your call, so that, with our assistance, they may faithfully answer Your call.
Homily and reflection ideas
Homily and reflection ideas are shared in the resource binder. Several homilies are provided.
Intercessions on the theme of vocations
- For our families, our communities, our parishes: that they be places where God is at home and where His call to service may be heard and answered. We pray to the Lord.
- For those who serve our parish communities as ordained priests: that they may be faithful and devoted to their call, and that we may be appreciative of their service. We pray to the Lord.
- For those called to religious life: that they be devoted servants of God’s people and powerful witnesses of God’s love. We pray to the Lord.
- For the married and single persons be holy witnesses of Christ’s love for his church and dedicate their lives to living out the call they have received in baptism. We pray to the Lord.
Many other intercessions are available in the resources binder.
Bulletin Insert
Good Shepherd Sunday is a very special Sunday dedicated to prayers for vocations. The Gospel is about Jesus our Good Shepherd and you are asked to pray for those who have responded to God`s call to priesthood and religious life, especially (names from your parish). We are also reminded to pray for persons considering vocations to priesthood, religious life or lay ministry. Please take a few moments to pray for an increased response to His call.
Projects to begin in your parish
In your Parish Resource Binder you will find may simple ideas to begin in your parish to raise awareness toward vocations. Please take a few moments to review them. Here are a few we would like to highlight for you:
- Parish Vocation Cross – each week at the end of mass a family is given a special cross to bring home and dedicate prayers for vocations for the week. Each week another family will receive this cross.
- Each week you may say a special prayer for vocations.
- A special symbol could be presented (a stole) during the presentation of the gifts