In the past fifteen years, St. Mary’s has sent 15 young men to study for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary, The Pontifical North American College (Rome), or Religious Houses of Formation.  This is an amazing number of vocations that has come from our parish.  In light of the Gospel this weekend, I encourage each of you to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  Let us continue to help foster vocations and advance the mission of the Church.  If anybody reading this note feels a call from God to serve or if you know somebody who you think may have a vocation, then see Fr. Wayne or Fr. Mark.

Cardinal O’Malley once stated:

“As Catholics, we need to promote vocations in the Church. It is the responsibility of the entire community to pray for vocations and to invite our young people to consider the possibility that God might be calling them to a vocation as a priest or religious. Our ideal goal must be to instill in our young Catholics such a love and appreciation for the sacraments and the Priesthood that they will not only consider a vocation themselves, but also encourage their peers to be open to such an option, because too many vocations have fallen victim to peer pressure.”

Let’s continue doing our part by praying for and encouraging those who feel God’s call.