A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., FOR NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK
‘Pray the Lord of the Harvest’
The word “vocation” means a “call” and it presumes someone calling and someone called. As Catholics, of course, we identify “the caller” as God himself. In our faith, we believe that God has a plan for each of us and that God calls us, invites us to consider that plan and, hopefully, accept it. Different from merely a job, a “vocation” is all-encompassing, requiring a free and willing response and total commitment to the One who calls and to what is asked of us in that call.
Married life and the love of husbands and wives is such a vocation. Religious/consecrated life in its many forms is such a vocation. The single lay state is such a vocation. And the ordained ministry as deacons and priests is such a vocation.
The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it is not a “cage” or a burden to be borne. On the contrary, it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. He opens before our eyes the horizon of a greater sea and an abundant catch. … We are called to be bold and decisive in seeking God’s plan for our lives. Gazing out at the vast “ocean” of vocation, we cannot remain content to repair our nets on the boat that gives us security but must trust instead in the Lord’s promise (Pope Francis, Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 2019).
Profound and insightful words that are worth repeating! The Catholic Church in the United States “casts our nets” once more as we celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 6-12.
Read all of Bishop O’Connell’s message HEREEACH NOVEMBER, DURING THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS, members of the diocesan diaconate community gather to remember all deacons of the Diocese who have died, especially those in the past year.
The Memorial Mass for 2021 will be celebrated Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. in St. James Church, 115 E. Delaware Ave., Pennington. Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar of clergy and consecrated life, will serve as principal celebrant of the Mass.A BELOVED TRADITION FOR FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE has been revived as Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will be joined by clergy, religious and laity from throughout the Diocese’s four counties Nov. 12 on pilgrimage to “Mary’s House” – the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Reflecting the theme, “In Communion with Jesus – A Pilgrimage to Mary’s House,” the day will incorporate a focus on the Eucharistic Revival that will allow participants to experience both from national and diocesan perspectives.
Once at the Shrine, pilgrims will have an opportunity to attend a catechesis session and question-and-answer period with the Bishop, and tour the Byzantine-Romanesque Basilica, the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America. Opportunities for prayer abound, including the Angelus at noon; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the recitation of the Rosary; receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Crypt Level Church, and veneration of the Blessed Carlo Acutis relic in the Upper Church.
Mass will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. in the Basilica’s Great Upper Church with Bishop O’Connell as principal celebrant and 20 members of the Diocesan Scola supplying the music.
“With God’s grace, we will be able to finally gather as a Diocese at the National Shrine,” said Carolyn Norbut, diocesan director of pilgrimages, noting that in recent years the pilgrimage had been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is coordinating plans with the parishes and has asked them to encourage their parishioners “to attend this beautiful day.”