Parish Vocation Cross Initiative
Thank you for your participation in the Parish Vocation Cross initiative!
The Vocation Cross initiative responds to Jesus’ command, “Pray to the master of the harvest to send out workers for the harvest” (Mt: 9: 38). In addition, the Parish Vocation Cross Initiative will create a greater “Culture of Vocation,” helping to raise awareness of the need for vocations among the Catholic faithful. All are called universally to holiness. Some are called to live this out as a priest or deacon. Others are called to religious life as a sister or brother. Many are called to sacred married life and yet others to live a sacred single life. Whatever the vocation, it is our responsibility as faithful Catholics to help one another listen, hear and respond to God’s Call.
How does the Vocation Cross program work?
Each Sunday a family, couple or individual comes forward at the end of mass to receive the vocation cross and prayer packet. In taking the cross they commit themselves to pray during the week for vocations for priesthood, religious life (sisters, brothers, deacons), sacred married life and sacred single life. At the end of the week they return the cross and prayer guide before the start of mass so that other parishioners can participate. If possible, it is ideal to have the family or individual who is returning the Cross and Packet to pass it onto the new family or individual in front of the congregation while the priest leads the enclosed commissioning prayer. This occurs week after week.
Each parish participating in the program will receive one Vocation Cross and a packet of materials. The materials include:
- A Sample Parish Announcement
- Sign-up Sheet
- Priest’s Sending Forth Commissioning
- Prayer Packet for Vocations with DVD
Some parishes may choose to pass more than one cross at their various masses each weekend. Others may choose to have an extra set on hand in the case that the Cross and Packet are not returned. Still others may choose to implement this same program in Catholic Schools. In any of these cases, additional Vocation Crosses, Prayer Guide and DVD may be purchased through the Vocations Office for $20 for each set.
For more information, please call the Vocations Office at 317.236.1400. Thank you for your participation in the Vocation Cross Program.
Master of the Harvest, Hear our Prayer!
Sample Announcement for Introducing the Parish Vocation Cross
Today, we as a parish are being invited to become a part of a new program being initiated by our Archdiocese in honor of the 175th anniversary of our diocese. It’s called, the Parish Vocation Cross.
Here’s how the program will work:
Each Sunday a family, couple, or individual will come forward at the end of the _____ Mass (or Masses) to receive the vocation cross and a special prayer packet written to accompany it. In taking the cross they commit themselves to pray during the week in the name of our parish the vocation prayers in thanksgiving for all those generously sharing in Church ministry and in particular for the gift of priests, religious, sacred married and sacred singles to serve in our parish and Archdiocese.
Additionally, the packet will contain information on vocations which we encourage each family to read together, perhaps after dinner each night. The accompanying DVD is an excellent resource as well to encourage young people to consider priesthood and religious life.
All of you are invited to participate in this program. There is a sign up sheet _______________ (in the back of the Church.) We encourage you to sign up for one of the weeks and then to attend the designated Mass that week to receive the cross.
It is our hope that this experience will encourage each of us to take seriously our Universal Call to Holiness and the particular vocation we are called to. All are encouraged to pray for the gift of vocations to priesthood and religious life, sacred single and sacred married life! We believe the Spirit is calling forth all men and women from our faith community to these roles of service. May our prayer help inspire young women and men to be attentive to the movement of the Spirit within them and to step forward in faith and with generous hearts to wherever the Spirit leads them.
Parish Vocation Cross Prayer of Commissioning
(Priest or Deacon calls forth the two families or individuals for the commissioning of the Parish Vocations Cross)
Priest or Deacon:
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Pray that the master of the harvest send out workers for his harvest” [Mt 9:38]. We, the Parish of (mention Parish name) give you this Vocation Cross, and commission you to pray each day this week for Church vocations. In particular pray that men and women respond generously to the Spirit’s call for priests, religious sisters and brothers, deacons, sacred married couples and sacred singles. I also invite all of us to unite our prayers with theirs, so that our Church may share in an abundance of workers for God’s harvest.
And may all mighty God bless you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(After the prayer, the Vocations Cross and Packet is passed from one family or individual to the new family or individual and all are seated)
Daily Prayers
Click here to download our Daily Prayer Guide
Click here to download our other Prayers
Participant Sign-Up Sheet
Click here to download our Participant Sign-Up Sheet
Spanish Resources
Click here to download our Daily Prayer Guide