+JMJ
Dear Parishioners,
This past week the Church recognized National Vocations Week. We didn't focus totally on it this past weekend, because other issues had to be addressed. I remember that in August Bishop Thomas wrote to all of us asking us to storm heaven, begging God to give us priests, because we do not have enough priests to accomplish all that has to be done in the Diocese of Toledo. Most importantly, we need priests to celebrate the Holy Sacrament of the Mass; and without the priests, there can be no Mass. The Bishop suggested the following acts, specifically:
– Praying one Hail Mary daily for vocations to the priesthood. This can be done before evening supper, during the recitation of the Holy Rosary, or in classrooms or anytime throughout the day. Let us ask Our Lady, Queen of the Holy Rosary to intercede on our behalf with her Son, the Good Shepherd.
– Performing a sacrificial act of fasting or penance each Friday for vocations to the priesthood. This could be as simple as foregoing a meal or fasting from certain food, drink, or activities, such as television or the use of electronic devices, for a time that might instead be used for prayer.
The Bishop also asked us to have hours of adoration in each parish, focused on the intention of vocations to the priesthood. At our parish, since we already have adoration on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, we decided to ask those who come to adoration to make vocations to the priesthood an explicit intention for their holy hour. Please remember this intention in your Holy Hour, whether you are signed up for a regular hour each week, or if you stop by spontaneously.
I learned that before COVID, we used to have a vocations chalice that traveled from home to home, with prayers that were to be said for vocations by those in the home. The chalice was displayed in a prominent place, and prayers could be said at mealtime, or whenever it was most convenient for those hosting the chalice. We want to revive this practice now, as a response to the Bishop's plea to pray for vocations in each parish. Please consider hosting the chalice at your home. You do not have to have children at home in order to host the chalice, but we certainly encourage those with children to host the chalice as well! Thanks for considering this opportunity!
Our parish has already given a number of priests to the Diocese of Toledo, and we are grateful for that; and we pray that vocations to the priesthood from St. Wendelin Parish continue!
Have a blessed week!
In cordibus Iesu, Mariae et Iosephus,
Father Poggemeyer