Vocations Ministry Team Builds Valuable Awareness and Celebrates Vocations in Our Church

As we prepare for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 24 and 25, our Vocations Ministry Team has been working diligently to promote and maintain all vocations, whether they are religious vocations or the vocation of marriage.

The team currently meets at 6 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month in the Gather Room. Under COVID-19 protocol, the group wears masks and practices social distancing.

“We’re a relatively new ministry, having formed about three years ago here at St. Leo’s,” says Marv Rief, coordinator of the team. “Our mission is to keep vocations in front of the parish.”

In carrying out their mission, the team members follow the Parable of the Sower, as outlined in Mark 4:8 — “Some seed fell in rich soil and yielded fruit.” During meetings, the group opens with a prayer, conducts the meeting, plans activities, and concludes with a blessing and prayer from Fr. Don.

“We pray for discernment,” Marv says. “This is really a nice reminder why we’re there. We also do a prayer for vocations after each Mass. These are reminders all the time about how important vocations are to the church.”

In recent weeks, the team has been running brief biographies in the bulletin on the eight seminarians in the Diocese of Grand Island. The “bulletin blurbs” also feature announcements about special days marking vocation observances, such as World Marriage Day in February, when Fr. Don offered a blessing for married couples. On Priesthood Sunday, the team prepared a large sign that was posted at the church and also had the youth group prepare chalk art that celebrated our pastor’s leadership. Another “bulletin blurb” marked the consecrated life.

“We wanted to remind the people how important these vocations are to parish life,” Marv says.

A deep interest in vocations is what draws the team members to the ministry. They want those called to vocations to be able to answer that call and work to that end. For Marv, the interest is personal, in that he had attended seminary many years ago. He also has a grandson in seminary.

“I left, but I’m still interested in vocations,” Marv says.

The members of the ministry freely offer their time in stewardship.

“It is a stewardship of time,” Marv says. “Membership requires you go to the monthly meeting. Our group volunteers to take on tasks — such as, one of the ladies takes care of cards sent to priests and seminarians. It’s not a tremendous burden on time, but it does require some planning.”

Anyone is welcome to join the Vocations Ministry Team. If you would like to be involved or for more information about the ministry, please call Fr. Don or the parish office at 308-382-4753.

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The Vocations Ministry Team leads vocations activities at St. Leo’s. The members are (from left) Marv Rief, Carolyn Brooks; (right side, back to front) Norbert Wenzl, Fr. Don and Sr. Carlene. (Not pictured, Joyce Yosten).

The kiosk is in the main hallway and has a variety of vocation materials, pictures and information regarding current seminarians, and other matters. It also serves as the sign-up table for the Traveling Crucifix.

This yard sign was part of the promotion for Priesthood Sunday. Members of the Youth Ministry team also made chalk art on the sidewalk at the entrances to the church.