Vocations

Men's Discernment Group
by Fr. Tom Diaz, Director of Vocations
707 889-0549
FTDsonoma@aol.com

We have all been in situations where we are looking for more, or just dealing with restlessness in our lives. It can happen in so many areas: We want to eat but we feel full. We want to sleep but we need to stay awake. We would like to buy something but we do not know what it is. We wish we were someone else, but we are not sure who. The singer, Peggy Lee, sang a song called "Is That All There Is?" that expresses that longing for more, and the effort to extinguish that flame of discontent.

This restlessness can also be present in our lives in trying to discern where God is calling us in life. It can make us feel that God has a secret that has not yet been revealed, and we tremble at the thought of what God is asking of us. To help men deal with God's invitation to love and serve Him and the Church in a particular way through priesthood or religious life, the Diocese of Santa Rosa will be sponsoring a Discernment Program for men eighteen years and older called "The Eye of a Fisherman." The program will provide encouragement and support for men considering the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or to religious life.

At the monthly gatherings we will take time to pray and talk about:

How to discern our vocation

  • The difference between a diocesan priest and a religious priest or brother

  • The spirituality of a priest or brother

  • The life of obedience, prayer and celibacy

  • The lifestyle of a priest and what he does

  • The Church we are called to serve

We will visit one or two seminaries, share meals together, meet with the Bishop, and more. The meetings will take place in the afternoons of the second Sundays of the month beginning in October. More information will be sent to the parishes along with a schedule of event times and locations in the diocese. At this time I am working with a group of religious women who are interested in beginning a Women's Discernment Group for women eighteen and older, who live, work or are from the diocese and are wondering if God might be calling them to serve the Church as religious sisters or cloistered nuns. When this has been organized the information will be sent out to the parishes.

THE HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS:
Jesus, Son of God,
in whom the fullness of Divinity dwells,
You call all the baptized to "put out into the deep,"
taking the path that leads to holiness.

Waken in the hearts of young people the desire
to be witnesses in the world of today
to the power of your love.

Fill them with your Spirit of fortitude and prudence,
so that they may be able to discover the full truth
about themselves and their own vocation.

Our Savior,
sent by the Father to reveal His merciful love,
give to your Church the gift
of young people who are ready to put out into the deep,
to be the sign among their brothers
of Your presence which renews and saves.

Holy Virgin, Mother of the Redeemer,
sure guide on the way towards God and toward neighbor,
You who pondered his word in the depth of your heart,
sustain with your motherly intercession
our families and our ecclesial communities,
so that they may help adolescents and young people
to answer generously the call of the Lord.
Amen.

 
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