Fourth Sunday of Easter

Dear friends in Christ

In 1964, Saint Pope Paul VI initiated Vocations Sunday, which since then we celebrate on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also called Good Shepherd Sunday.  As Catholics and the People of God, we all know that God is calling us and has a plan for each of us. He called each of us by name through our Baptism to holiness. He continues to call and reach out to us each day to be his disciples, some to the married life, some to the priesthood, some to religious life or to life as faithful single people. Everybody is called to something great and noble. Along with the whole Church, let us pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life today. Let us take time to stir the hearts and minds of the people around us to think about their future vocation. The Church constantly invites us to talk and encourage children, young people, grandchildren, students, family members to respond generously to the calling of the Lord. We need good married couples and robust family life. We also need priests who will minster to us and bring us the grace of God in the Sacraments. What can we practically do as ordinary Catholics? I could suggest that we be more generous in the way we pray and encourage our young people in their path of life. Would you consider offering a Rosary once a week for vocations? Offer your Holy Mass once a month for this intention. Make a Holy Hour specifically imploring the Lord of the Harvest for more dedicated priests and nuns. Encourage a young person you might perceive who has a vocation, to offer themselves generously to His service. Above all, let us live fidelity to the vocation that God has given each one of us, in spite of the crosses, trials and disappointments of life. God needs faithful men and women who will witness to the Gospel and the truths of our Catholic Faith. May Christ the True and Good Shepherd, lead us along the ways of goodness and continue to nourish us at the fountains of eternal life.

God bless you and help us persevere in our individual and unique call to holiness!

Msgr Kevin Hale