Vocation Sunday

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Vocation Sunday

• 4th Sunday of Easter (B)

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• I am the Good Shepherd.

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Fast facts Catholic Church in Taiwan

• Average age of priests 60 65yrs.
• No. of parishes without pastors ?
• Ratio between priests and Catholics 1 priest for
  every 500 Catholics (granting all priests are in
  active pastoral ministry)

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• Pope Benedicts Message on the 46 World Day of
  Prayer for Vocations. (summary)

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1. Pray!!!

• Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send
  out labourers into his harvest (Mt 938)
• The urgent call of the Lord stresses that prayer
  for vocations should be continuous and trusting.

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What concrete thing must we do?

• Family prayer
• Church movement and apostolic associations pray
  for vocations
• religious communities must always pray for
  vocations.
• all the sectors of diocesan life must respond to
  the divine initiative with unceasing prayer.

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Why? For what?

• To help them in careful listening and prudent
  discernment.
• That people be generous and willing to adhere to
  the divine plan.
• That those with vocation be able to respond
  responsibly and with conviction.

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2. Strengthen devotion the Eucharist

• Contemplating the mystery of the Eucharist, we
  find Gods gift for the salvation of mankind, and
  the full and docile readiness of Christ to drink
  to the dregs the cup of the will of God.

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What concrete thing must we do?

• Frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
• Promote regular adoration in front of the Blessed
  Sacrament.
• Frequent and fervent reception of Holy Communion.

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Why? Because in front of the Eucharist

• The person is help to dialogue with him/herself.
• One learns to more readily entrust oneself to
  Gods Will.
• One encounters the Divine.

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The Holy Father ends by saying

• Do not become discouraged in the face of
  difficulties and doubts trust in God and follow
  Jesus faithfully and you will be witnesses of the
  joy that flows from intimate union with him. Let
  Mary be our guide and model.