Vocations

Marriage:

The Church considers marriage a sacrament.  In Marriage God calls a man and a woman to a permanent self-giving commitment  that is to be a mirror image to the world of God's love for the church.  As such, we provide every opportunity and tool to assist couples in formation and preparation for marriage. 

Are you being called to the vocation of Marriage?

Contact your pastor at least 6 months prior to your desired date of marriage (ideally, as soon as you are engaged and BEFORE you contact or commit to anything else --i.e. tuxedos, dresses, halls, asking people to be "in your wedding" etc.  -- so that you may learn the guidelines and "do's and don'ts" and save yourselves much work and anguish later.)

Helpful websites:

http://www.diojeffcity.org/familylife/familylife.shtml#marriageprep

Priesthood

In Holy orders, a man is called by God and set aside by the church for ministry.  Unmarried men in good standing may apply to the diocese to study for Diocesan Priesthood (work in parishes etc. in a Diocese) or as part of a religious order. 

Are you being Called to the Priesthood?

If you are interested in applying to the seminary talk to your pastor today and visit www.discoverthepriesthood.org to learn more!

Diaconate

Deacons are called by the church to preach and to look to the needs of the poor especially widows and orphans.  Married or unmarried men aged 35 and older may apply to the diocese for possible formation as a deacon.  Are you called?  Talk to your pastor today and visit www.diojeffcity.org/vocation/vocation.shtml

In Vowed or professed Religious Life, men and women are called by God to live in community or as part of a congregation living out a specific charism, and through self-sacrifice and intense witness, are reminders to the world of the need of prayer and to live faithfully the Christian life.  There are numerous orders and congregations, some cloistered, others not, some living all together in one place, others spread far and wide engaged in various ministries in the Church and world.

Are you being called by God to be a sister or a brother?  Talk to your pastor, your local brothers or sisters in your parishes and visit the following websites for more information:

www.diojeffcity.org/vocation/vocation.shtml

www.vocationguide.org/