Sacraments/Vocation - Saint Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church

Saint Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church

1870 W. Oak St.
Zionsville, IN 46077
Phone: (317) 873-2885
Fax: (317) 873-8746
www.zionsvillecatholic.com

Sacraments/Vocation

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SACRAMENT. A sensible sign, instituted by Jesus Christ, by which invisible grace and inward sanctification are communicated to the soul. The essential elements of a sacrament of the New Law are institution by Christ the God-man during his visible stay on earth, and a sensibly perceptible rite that actually confers the supernatural grace it symbolizes. In a broad sense every external sign of internal divine blessing is a sacrament. And in this sense there were already sacraments in the Old Law, such as the practice of circumcision. But, as the Council of Trent defined, these ancient rites differed essentially from the sacraments of the New Law, they did not really contain the grace they signified, nor was the fullness of grace yet available through visible channels merited and established by the Savior. (Etym. Latin sacramentum, oath, solemn obligation; from sacrare, to set apart as sacred, consecrate.)

VOCATION. A call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness. The Second Vatican Council made it plain that there is a “Universal call [vocatio] to holiness in the Church” (Lumen Gentium, 39). (Etym. Latin vocatio, a calling, summoning; from vocare, to call.)

Modern Catholic Dictionary
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

Copyright © 1999 by Inter Mirifica

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Reading from Pope Benedict XVI’s 2006
World Day of Prayer for Vocations Message

Remembering the counsel of Jesus: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:37), we readily recognize the need to pray for vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life. It is not surprising that, where people pray fervently, vocations flourish. The holiness of the Church depends essentially on union with Christ and on being open to the mystery of grace that operates in the hearts of believers. Therefore, I invite all the faithful to nurture an intimate relationship with Christ, Teacher and Pastor of His people, by imitating Mary who kept the divine mysteries in her heart and pondered them constantly.

(cf. Lk 2:19).

A Word From Our Pastor Father O'Keeffe on Vocation:

Many of our young people wrestle in silence with what they may be called to by God. Some confide in me and Father Joshua, still others speak to our youth ministers. They actually hunger to make a difference in the world.
Our Parish has been blessed with a small number of young men AND women who are truly discerning their vocation. They are seriously considering the call to religious life, the life of a single person or if they are called to Holy Marriage. It is a struggle in a world that makes no time to listen for God’s voice. Or in a society that just presumes a young person will marry and "hope it works."
I ask you to use intercessory prayer for the young people of our Parish who are honestly listening for the voice of God. Pray also for your siblings, sons and daughters, and grandchildren. To follow God’s will in this life is to find happiness.

Fr. O’Keeffe

Fr. Brian Doerr

Father Brian Doerr (Bio)

Vocations Director - Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana

E-mail: revbdoerr@priestforever.org
Phone: 317-846-3850, ext. 149
Address:
10655 Haverstick Road
Carmel, IN 46033-3800