It was a Saturday and Cheryl was distraught. Cheryl was a thirty-something mother of five who always welcomed others into her home and, with patience and kindness, would try her best to help anyone in need. Recently, a series of situations had built up into a very real crisis for her, although from the outside no one might have guessed. After all, they were so ordinary. Eight months pregnant, with kids' homework, laundry, a school project, doctors' appointments and two birthday parties to host for her children in the next couple of weeks, she was handling things well until one small request from her husband changed the tide. He invited another family over for dinner this weekend.

Cheryl had no idea how this was going to be accomplished and felt completely overwhelmed. As the day wore on and things began to look bleaker, she was feeling resentment nd bitterness building within her and she knew she had to get to confession. Thank goodness it was Saturday and she had just enough time to make it to her parish.

While waiting in line Cheryl wasn't sure what to confess but knew she was in the right place and prayed for guidance. The counsel the priest gave her and the absolution she received consoled her and filled her with hope and love for God. As she drove home she received clarity about her situation and her anxiety dissipated. Her heart swelled with gratitude for the sacrament of confession she had just receive and her appreciation for the priesthood deepened.

Cheryl's story is quite ordinary; she wasn't facing tragedy or an unbearable burden. At times we are faced with heavy crosses, but often we are just dealing with the pressures of everyday life. The sacraments offer an opportunity to encounter Christ and to receive his love and grace through the hands of a priest. It is their "yes" to the call of the priesthood and service to the church that allows us to receive the invaluable gift of the sacraments.

Our priests are there to serve us and it is Christ who works through them. This is a reminder of the constancy of God's love for us. "If we had not the Sacrament of Orders, we should not have Our Lord. Who placed Him there, in that tabernacle? It was the priest. Who was it that received your soul, on its entrance into life? The priest. Who nourishes it, to give it strength to make its pilgrimage? The priest. Who will prepare it to appear before God, by washing that soul, for the last time, in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest - always the priest. And if that soul comes to the point of death, who will raise it up, who will restore it to calmness and peace? Again the priest." Catechism on the Priesthood, St. John Vianney

Promoting Vocations 101

Respect - everything we say and do has an impact on others around us and, by being more conscientious, we can create opportunities to build esteem and respect for the priesthood and consecrated life each day.

Priesthood Sunday is approaching soon, being celebrated on October 26^th this year. It is a special day set aside to honor the priesthood. It is a day to reflect upon the role of the priest in the life of the Church. On this day the lay faithful of all parishes in the country are encouraged to develop their own special way of marking the day and honoring their parish priests.

As a Vocation Promoter the role you play in this celebration is essential. Here are 5 quick tips to help make Priesthood Sunday bear lasting fruit:

Read the section in the Catechism on Holy Orders (CCC#1547-1553) and reflect on the gift Christ gave us in this special vocation.
Hand out the prayer cards from your membership kits, encouraging others to join you in praying for our priests and an increase in vocations.
Talk to your children or a child you know about the irreplaceable role of our priests and the sacrifices they have made to serve the Church. Encourage them to write a thank you note to the priests who serve the school or parish they are affiliated with.
Give your pastor a spiritual bouquet - a collection of prayers, masses and holy hours which will be offered for him - either from your family, parish family or a parish committee you work with.
Coordinate a time of Adoration for Vocations in your parish to pray especially for all the priests who serve the parish and diocese. If your parish already has an active adoration program, perhaps you can contact the coordinators to inquire about the possibility of inviting adorers to offer their hours for vocations and for the pastor and associate pastor (where applicable) in honor of Priesthood Sunday. You can also place a card for the pastor and his associate in the chapel and invite everyone to sign it offering them those prayers as a gift of appreciation.
Quote Corner:

“Who can raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord in the name of the entire people of God, except the priest, ordained for this purpose by his Bishop? At this point, allow me to issue an appeal, confident in the faith and generosity of the young people who are considering a religious or priestly vocation: do not be afraid! Do not be afraid to give your life to Christ! Nothing will ever replace the ministry of priests at the heart of the Church! Nothing will ever replace a Mass for the salvation of the world! Dear young and not so young people who are listening to me, do not leave Christ's call unanswered. Nothing Will Ever Replace the Mass..." Benedict XVI Papal Homily at his Mass in Paris, September 13, 2008.

Monthly Mission:

Pick one way to actively promote Priesthood Sunday.