Encouraging Vocations

     Last Thursday, May 24th, the priests of the Diocese of Greensburg gathered at the Bishop Connare Center for the Spring Clergy Conference.  We gather for prayer, a presentation by a speaker, local concerns and a great dinner.   If I can be honest, these days can, at times, be a little less than exciting or even uplifting (no offense to the planners). 

     Our speaker was last Thursday was Rosemary Sullivan, the Executive Director of the USCCB National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors, and her theme was "The Joy of Gospel Sharing".   And I can attest that personally, and from what I heard from many of our priests, this Spring Conference was a hit.   Mrs. Sullivan was clear and concise in her presentation and her very dynamic talks were filled with concrete examples of how we as priests are essential to the vocation issue.   The work of promoting priestly and religious vocations is a total Church concern.  She encouraged us to "tell our story", to use every opportunity to speak of the joy of the call, of the process involved in responding to the call, and to share our experiences of service and ministry.
     I found her comments relevant to our vocation efforts and personally refreshing and inspiring as I reflect upon forty-five years of ministry.
     The day ended with Evening Prayer, a social gathering, and a wonderful dinner provided by our staff here at the Bishop Connare Center, where I reside.  It was a good day filled with encouragement and hope.

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     Allow me to continue to share with you some of the reflections from my radio program of last Sunday evening on WAOB FM.  One of the Scriptures reflected upon was the 1st Chapter of 1st Peter.  What follows is one of three reflections of my "lectio divina" on that reading.

 

     "The author of the first letter of Saint Peter, in this first chapter, introduces himself to the community who were sojourners and aliens (not children of the first Covenant) whom he recognizes now as chosen people, blessed by God and given grace and peace.  In verse 3 through 5 we hear: 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith ...'

     This is the deposit of faith shared with all who have been chosen by the Lord for eternal life.  We have been given hope and a new life in the resurrection.  We are wonderfully reassured that our inheritance cannot be destroyed, or defiled, and it will never fade or diminish.  It is a faith that is founded on the rich love of God for us and the promise that the covenant of love brings to us.

     Like the readers of Peter's letter, let us find strength and solace in that assurance."