Mission Statement:
The St Matthias Vocations Ministry encourages and fosters vocations by promoting awareness of various kinds of vocations and helping parishioners of all ages discern God’s call to holiness and follow their vocations intentionally and mindfully. Co-Chairs: Joe Percoco & MaryBeth Vetter Purcell Email: StMatthiasVocationsMinistry@gmail.com
The Vocations Ministry is exploring Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “Rejoice and Be Glad” (On the Call to Holiness.) See our weekly bulletin articles and read the document at:
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html
Watch three parishioners speak about vocation in their life here at St. Matthias.
- How to Listen to God’s Call in Your Life
- My Vocation in Lay Ministry
- Mary Frances Reavey’s Vocation Story
- Tibay Family’s Vocation Story
Called to Build God’s Kingdom
Prayer for Discernment
O God,
You have a plan for each one of us,
You hold out to us a future full of hope.
Give us the wisdom of your Spirit
so that we can see the shape of your plan
in the gifts you have given us,
and in the circumstances of our daily lives.
Give us the freedom of your Spirit,
to seek you with all our hearts,
and to choose your will above all else.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
—Based on Jeremiah 29:11-13
Suggested Reading List:
Discernment is for every Christian — not just Jesuits: an interview with Arturo Sosa, SJ
Pope John XXIII, Lumen Gentium (Light of the Nations) http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html
Pope Francis, Guadete et Exsultate (Rejoice & Be Glad: On the Call to Holiness in the Contemporary World) http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html
Albert Haase; Practical Holiness: Pope Francis as Spiritual Companion
Albert Haase; Saying Yes: Discovering and Responding to God’s Will In Your Life
Edward Hahnenberg; Awakening Vocation: A theology of Christian Call
Stephen Martin; The Messy Quest for Meaning: Five Catholic Practices for Find Your Vocation
Mark Thibodeaux; God’s Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God’s Will
You Tube Videos on Vocations
What is my vocation?: https://youtu.be/mhh01pIqxtQ
James Martin: World Youth Day Talk: Vocation Discussion: https://youtu.be/GpGd8-8eEB8
Priscilla Shirer: You Go Through More Because You’re Called to More: https://youtu.be/auMFDfbHjvY
Sunday Homily: The Path to Holiness: https://youtu.be/km91ZtF6hzo
Embracing Pope Francis’ Call to holiness: https://youtu.be/KW6e8DgJnK4
Keys to understanding the new papal document about the call to holiness: https://youtu.be/NXcAi_DO6gk
Bishop Baron on the Call to Holiness: https://youtu.be/eOTfpHvfC3U
Father Martin Guadete et Exsultate top 5 takeaways from Pope Francis’ new Apostolic Exhortation: https://youtu.be/JRweQno8PJA
Holiness: Francis’ formula for holiness: https://youtu.be/0HMVuPUQ6BQ
The AX: Guadete et Exsultate Part 1: https://youtu.be/EC-kb3b1gOU