Join St. Mary’s and parishes across the Diocese of Austin in praying for vocations and encouraging men and women whom God may be calling to the priesthood or religious life.
Vocations grow in the soil of prayer, often watered through a personal invitation. Many priests and religious—including Fr. Will—first seriously considered their vocation because someone they trusted recognized their gifts and encouraged them to listen more closely to the Lord.
This weekend, we ask the Holy Spirit to bring someone to mind and give us the courage to offer that simple word of encouragement.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On September 12–September 13, St. Mary’s will join parishes across the Diocese of Austin in celebrating Called By Name Sunday, a special time to pray for vocations and to encourage men and women whom God may be calling to the priesthood or religious life.
Vocations grow in the soil of prayer, which is often watered through a personal invitation. Prayer and personal invitation are the backbone of the Called By Name initiative. Many priests and religious—including myself—first seriously considered their vocation because someone they trusted said, “I see qualities in you that would help you serve God and the Church in this way.” As a diocese, we want to pray that young people will be called and respond to that call, and we want to foster a culture of invitation and vocational awareness.
In our parish, that will take the following form:
At St. Mary’s, we seek to provide opportunities for people to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ so that we can evangelize our parish. Let us ask the Lord for an outpouring of vocations from our parish and for the courage to answer whenever He calls.
In Christ,
Fr. Will Rooney
Holy Hour for Vocations
Saturday, September 12, at 9:00 AM, immediately after the morning Mass.
At every weekend Mass, we will also pray special petitions and the Litany for Vocations.
Ask the Holy Spirit to bring a man or woman to mind. Parents, grandparents, teachers, catechists, friends, and fellow parishioners can all help someone recognize the gifts God has given them.
A quiet, sincere invitation may be the first step that helps a person listen.
Submit the name of at least one person who may be called to a priestly or religious vocation. This is not a declaration that the person has a vocation; it is a simple act of encouragement.
The diocesan Vocations Office will send a letter letting the person know that someone sees gifts in him or her. The letter offers encouragement and opportunities for prayer and discernment.
You are not deciding another person’s vocation. You are simply helping that person take a thoughtful next step.
“I see qualities in you that would help you to serve God and the Church in this way.”
Sometimes one trusted voice is all it takes to help someone begin discerning.
This parish page is in English. Spanish-language campaign information and nomination access are available through the Diocese of Austin.
At St. Mary’s, we seek to provide opportunities for people to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ so that we can evangelize our parish. Pray for the courage to answer whenever He calls—and help another person recognize that call.
Listen to Fr. Will’s Homily from last week about the amazing things happening at St. Mary’s and learn how you can help.
