Putting on a Vocation Assembly
Preparation
Invite 4-6 people with religious, priestly, or deacon vocation to be on a panel.
Format
- Introduction of program and panelist
- Panelists will give a presentation of themselves and tell the story of their vocations.
- Open Forum: Young people from the audience will be free to ask questions to the panelist of their choice.
Instructions for Panelist When You Invite Them to Your Vocation Assembly
- Please tell your story briefly. Your family, your background, why and how you got involved in the church, your experience with ministry. (5 minutes)
- Please be ready to answer questions like:
- What kind of training is involved? How is training for your vocation different than the training of other professions?
- Why do/did you want to become a brother/sister/deacon/priest? What kind of work do you see yourself doing in the future?
- When did you decide to do this?
- How do you handle a life of chastity? Do you feel tempted? Do you think the church should allow married clergy?
- Are you happy? What’s your favorite thing about being a priest/brother/sister/deacon? What’s the greatest challenge about your life?
- What qualities do you need to have to be a priest/brother/sister/deacon?
- Why is there a shortage of religious and priestly vocations? What do you think the problem is? Is the church in trouble?
Follow-up Questions for Homework in a Catholic School or for a Future Youth Group Meeting
- Which speaker impressed you most? Why?
- Why did these people choose their various religious orders or vocation to serve in a diocese? Distinguish some of the charisms that they were attracted toward?
- At what age were most of these women and men first considering a vocation? Do you have any ideas to share about “a calling”? What is a calling toward a priestly or religious vocation?
- What do you think about becoming a priest, sister, brother or deacon? List 5 good points (positives) and five bad points (negatives) about the life?
- What do you think the biggest obstacle is for a young man who is considering becoming a priest, brother, or deacon or a woman considering sisterhood?
Compliments of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry