MINISTRY GROUPS

VOCATION MINISTRY

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CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS

A vocation is God’s unique invitation which is addressed to every Christian.   It is a call to follow Jesus, to bring love to the world and to grow in holiness.  Once the invitation is given God expects a free response.  The invitation leads people to one of four general paths in life:  the single life,  sacramental marriage, the consecrated life, or ordination to the priesthood or deaconate. Christians live out the call to holiness and loving service by means of one of these vocations.  

A Vocation to Marriage 

When a man and a woman give themselves to one another in the Sacrament of Marriage, they pledge lifelong fidelity to one another. They create a place of love in which to raise the children with whom they may be blessed. They pledge to love, honor and obey one another. They are witnesses to those around them of the love God has for all people.  For more information about the vocation to marriage click on the following link:  

The Vocation to  Marriage
 

A Vocation to the Single Life

 Single life is a specific calling from God.  Freed from responsibilities of family, single people can  devote themselves in love and service beyond family – to the poor and the needy not otherwise served.  Some persons make a deliberate choice of the single life.  Others are single by circumstance.   For a better understanding of the Christian vocation to  the single life, click on the following links:

A Vocation to Dedicated Church Service

Some Christians are called to serve the Church in a special and dedicated way – as deacons, priests, members of religious communities, secular institutes, associations of the faithful or apostolic institutes.  Each of these callings to dedicated Church service is discussed on the other pages. (See the links at the upper right or below.)

THE VOCATION MINISTRY IN OUR PARISH

The vocation ministry in our parish is primarily one of example and prayer.  It is the ongoing call of each person to pray for God’s guidance in finding and following his/her principal call in life.  It is also the duty of Christians to pray for each other, especially our youth, that they hear and accept God’s invitation to them.  Today’s youth live in a culture which extols greed, materialism, pleasure and self-centerdness.  These cultural values conflict sharply with the teachings of the Gospel, especially with values that encourage them to follow God’s call to dedicated Church service.  

For these reasons, our parish Vocation Ministry places special emphasis on prayer for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.  On the First Friday each month the parish family gathers for a Holy Hour during which prayer is offered for those called to dedicated Church vocations. 

If you would like to meet persons who once belonged to Our Lady of Refuge parish and entered the priesthood or consecrated life, click on the following link:  

For more information about Church vocations click on the following links:  

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MINISTRY GROUPS

VOCATION INFORMATION

SPIRITUAL GROWTH MINISTRIES