Our Diocesan Vocations Team represents the wider Church community:
- priests and deacons
- consecrated men and women
- married and single people
- young people
- representatives with varied Church experience e.g. Diocesan Youth Workers and Chaplains
- members of the new movements and the new ecclesial communities.
Introducing the team
The diocesan Vocations Team represents the wider Church community: priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, married and single people, young people, representatives with varied Church experience eg diocesan Youth Workers, Chaplains, members of new movements and the new ecclesial communities.
We are all called, we all have an individual vocation which encompasses our whole lives; the people we are, the choices we make, the lives we live. Each of us has a special path to follow in life. Christians, and many others, believe that through the ages, God has called people to cooperate with him in his plans for the world in practical ways. Many of the stories in the Old Testament are about individuals who have been called, such as Abraham, Moses and the prophets.
In the first few lines of the Bible, in the Book of Genesis, God calls creation into existence by his Word – “let there be light!” Throughout the Bible as a whole, God is continually inviting men and women to be his Chosen People. When Jesus Christ came down to earth, he also called people to follow him and find their true identity and purpose in life.
The truth is that each and every person has been called into existence for a reason. We have all been created out of love and for a loving purpose. God has a special plan for each one of us.
One way we can reflect on this is by considering our vocation as a journey towards God, following his invitation. That journey is full of different experiences, and like on many other journeys, we each have to read the signs and make choices about which way to go. These choices affect the outcome of our lives. God does not predetermine the journey we make; rather he gives us free will – an ability to choose one way or another.
Whilst we have the freedom to make choices, we also need to understand that God doesn’t just leave us on our own. He is present in our lives. He established the Church as a human family, as a community of those who have been called. This community, the Church, feeds each one of our spiritual lives through life-giving words, actions and prayers. This very much a reality which lies at the heart of monastic life.
What is truly amazing is to consider that you are part of God’s master plan. You have a role to play. You are called to become more truly the person that God wants you to be and to use the gifts and talents you have to achieve this goal.
Once you begin to think of your life in a vocational sense, and realise that you are called to be someone special and to do something unique, your life will change. No questions will rise in your mind, not the least what your own personal ‘definite service’ is to be. The challenge facing you then is to discern what specifically you are being called to be and do; become a husband or wife, teacher or even monk! What is for sure is that this process involves spending time in prayer, reflection and discussion with a trusted person. It is a path of most wonderful discover. – Are you ready to give it a try?
