Today we as a parish are being invited to become a part of a new program being initiated by our Oakland Diocesan Vocation Office. 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 one of the Masses) to receive the vocation cross and a special prayer written to accompany it. In taking the cross they commit themselves to pray during the week in the name of our parish the vocation prayer in thanksgiving for all those generously sharing in Church ministry and in particular for the gift of priests, deacons, sisters and brothers to serve in our Oakland Diocese. 

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 vocation as a member of the Body of Christ and encourage ALL of us to pray for the gift of vocations to priesthood and religious life (not just the family with the cross for the week!).  We believe the Spirit is calling forth 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.