You will be called by Christ to many challenges and even possibly, sacrifices, to carry on this very important work of Christ. Consider though what you receive in return --- a greater awareness of your own vocation as a Catholic, a deeper sense of union with the mission of the church, universal and local diocese, and a profound satisfaction in helping young men and women find their place of service to God's people.

If you are ready to commit yourself to a greater personal growth in faith, a deeper involvement in vocation ministry, and zealous involvement in the work of Serra, please respond, "I do" to the following promises:

PROMISES:

Do you promise to follow the inspiration of Christ under the guidance of His church and archbishop in fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life? (I do.)

Do you promise to open yourself to greater growth in, through, and with the Lord, so that you will be a more effective instrument, a more telling sign of Christís love and Christís presence? ( I do.)

Do you promise to pray daily for all vocations? ( I do.)

Will you see out ways in which you can encourage the vocations we now have in the church, so that these ministries can be even more effective? ( I will.)

VOCATION NEWS:

Courtesy of The Catholic Voice, Archdiocese of Omaha:
The Serra Challenge: A Serra representative into every parish

Ora et labora: A day in the life of a seminarian

Collection yields good return: loving priests

Pope Lists 3 Reasons Why Youth Fear to Accept Call to Priesthood
Friendship With Christ Is Key, He Says

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 9, 2003 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II cites three reasons why it is hard for young men to embrace a priestly vocation: fear of commitment, lack of a clear understanding of this ministry, and a deficient relationship with Christ.

The Pope made this analysis when he met with a group of French bishops during their five-yearly visit to Rome.

"The first difficulty is fear of long-term commitment, as they are afraid to assume risks in face of an uncertain future, living as they do in a changing world in which their interest is fleeting, linked essentially to instant satisfaction," the Holy Father said Friday.

"It is certainly an essential constraint to the availability of youths, which will only be surmounted by giving them confidence in a perspective of Christian hope," the Pope said.

In this connection, "the whole educational work is called into play, offered first of all by the family and the school, which is completed through the different pastoral proposals for youth."

The second difficulty for young men to enter the seminary is "the proposal of the priestly ministry in itself," the Pope continued.

"For several generations, the ministry of priests has evolved considerably in its forms; at times, the very convictions of many priests regarding their own identity have been violently shaken," he said.

In fact, "in the eyes of the public the priestly ministry has often been devalued," the Holy Father added.

"Today, the form of this ministry might still seem unclear, difficult for youths to perceive, and lacking in stability," he said. "Therefore, it is necessary to support the ordained ministry, to give it its full place in the Church, in a spirit of communion that respects the differences and their genuine complementarity" with the laity.

The third difficulty and "the most fundamental," according to the Pontiff, affects the relationship of youths with the Lord.

Vocations Crisis Demands Solid Priestly Formation, Says Pope
Sees a "Trial of Faith" for Pastors and the Flock

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 9, 2003 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II says the vocations crisis must be answered by seminaries that form future priests solidly, including emotionally and morally.

The Pope illustrated this concern in an address Friday to the second group of French bishops, from the ecclesiastical provinces of Rennes and Rouen, who are on their five-yearly visit to Rome.

In his address, the Holy Father focused on the "serious crisis of vocations" that France is experiencing, as are other Western countries, which the bishops refer to constantly in reports they have given the Pope.

It is "a sort of crossing of the desert which constitutes a genuine trial of faith both for pastors as well as the faithful," the Holy Father acknowledged.

'Instead of yielding to "discouragement," the Pope invited the bishops "to assume the challenge with firm hope," paying special attention to the formation of future priests in the seminary, "educational community on the way."

The formation of youths who wish to be priests must take account of four complementary dimensions -- "human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation," the Holy Father explained.

Noting "a social environment -- characterized by a general relativism of values spread by the media and the trivialization of sexuality," the Pontiff recommended that the bishops focus on "the human, emotional and moral formation of the candidates."

John Paul II encouraged the formators of seminaries, assisted by competent specialists, to help youths to "know clearly the objective exigencies of the priestly life," esteeming "in its just measure the gift of celibacy," "gift of love offered to the Lord and to those who will be entrusted to them."

"In the human and emotional formation of candidates to the priesthood, as well as in all the other dimensions of their formation," the Pope said, "it is a question of seeking and contemplating Christ, the Incarnate Word, and new and perfect man. It is a question of taking him as a model to be imitated in everything, to be a priest in his name."

New Steps in Promoting Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life
By Bishop Paul Loverde

Three Goals for Vocation Directors: Priesthood
By Bishop Gerald Kicanas

Religious Life: Who is Invited, and to What?
By Sister Doris Gottmoeller, RSM

Needed: Full-Time Vocations Directors
By Archbishop Elden Curtiss

Why Becomes a Priest, Sister or Brother Today?
By Cathy Bertrand, SSND

Vocations: When Parents Just Say No
By Reverend Timothy T. Reker

Only Paul Tossed from Horse; Most Vocations Nurtured Quietly
By Peter Feuerherd

Culling Vocations Via Prayer, Stewardship, Catholic Schools
By Chuck Webber

My Son the Priest
By Eileen C. Marx

My Daughter the Nun
By Eileen C. Marx

In Los Angeles, Vocations Programs Flourish
By John Allen

Serra: Calling and Supporting by Name
By Jay Copp

The Vocation Question: Answered in the Heart
By Philip A. Nero