VISION AND MISSION
Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his message titled: “Proposing Vocations in the Local Church.”
“The work of carefully encouraging and supporting vocations finds a radiant source of inspiration in those places in the Gospel where Jesus calls His disciples to follow Him and trains them with love and care....Before calling them, Jesus spent the night alone in prayer, listening to the will of the Father....Vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life are first and foremost the fruit of constant contact with the living God and insistent prayer lifted up to the “Lord of the harvest,” whether in parish communities, in Christian families or in groups specifically devoted to prayer for vocations.” The Diocese of Lubbock already has this firm foundation for prayer to the “Lord of the Harvest” for Vocations, whether parish vocation teams, Serra Club, Knights of Columbus, and families aware of the need of priestly and religious vocations.
Just as the Lord Jesus in the beginning of his public life called fishermen on the shore of the Sea of Galilee: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men....” so now our Vocation Office is to make this challenging and uplifting invitation that Jesus addresses to those whom he says: “Follow me!”
In the name of the Lord, in the name of the Church of Lubbock, the Office for Vocations will invite others to become friends of Jesus, and to listen to the words of the Church, to listen attentively to His word, and to live with Him. We invite young people, local people primarily, to leave behind their own narrow agendas in order to immerse themselves in the will of God.
It is essential that every local Church (Diocese) become more sensitive and attentive to the pastoral care of vocations, helping children and young people in particular at every level of family, parish and associations - as Jesus did with his disciples. How to address all the structures of the Diocese: parishes, catechists, organizations, etc.
For years, Spiritual Stewardship has been a solid teaching for our Catholic faithful — we can rely on it. Scriptural Stewardship reminds us of “First Fruits,” should be applied to every family for Vocations - priesthood and religious life. (Sir. 35:1-12).
“The ability to foster vocations is a hallmark
of the stability of a local Church.” (Pope Benedict XVI, May 2011)