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Vocations

A Word from our Vocations Office

Did you know that the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth has a Vocations Office? When we talk about vocations, the first thought that comes to many is vocations to the priesthood. But how does that come about? Through our Vocations Office!

The Vocations Office, led by Fr. Craig Cameron, has a team whose main focus is to promote and support an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our archdiocese. Here are some of the main ways we do this:

  • Support for seminarians

Did you know that we currently have 4 men studying in seminary for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth? This is great news!

The vocations office supports these young men in many ways including financially which would not be possible without the generosity of the parishioners of our diocese. The total cost of supporting a young man to attend seminary each year is approximately $70,000. We are grateful to all you who help support this worthy cause.

The pastoral support that seminarians receive from the members of the Vocations Team and you their fellow parishioners is as important or even more important than any other kind of support. Your prayers are of great importance and consolation to them.

  • Engage in young adult ministry

The Vocations Team has regular office hours on campus at our local Post-Secondary Institutions. Our goal is to stay connect to the young adult community in order to promote and foster vocational discernment. We currently operate two households in our diocese where young men and women can live together in community and discern God’s call for their lives. To learn more about our Household program and St. Jerome and St. Mary Magdalene Houses see the link below.

sites.google.com/hcchaplaincy.ca/household-web-portal/home

  • Vocations visits to parishes

The first weekend of each month is Vocations weekend for our team. We travel to a different parish where Fr Craig celebrates mass and the team talks with parishioners about how they can participate in the life of vocations in our local church. We give people the opportunity to sign up to receive a quarterly newsletter highlighting the events we have recently participated in, updates about our seminarians, insight into our household program and a prayer we can all prayer together for the increase of holy vocations of every kind.

  • * Prayer to Know One's Vocation

    Lord, my God and my loving Father, you have made me to know you,
    to love you, to serve you, and thereby to find and to fulfill myself.
    I know that you are in all things, and that every path can lead me to you.
    But of them all, there is one especially by which you want me to come to you.
    Since I will do what you want of me, I pray you, send your Holy Spirit to me:
    into my mind, to show me what you want of me; into my heart,
    to give me the determination to do it, and to do it with all my love,
    with all my mind, and with all my strength right to the end.

    Amen

  • * Heavenly Father

     

    St. John Vianney 352x600

    Saint John Vianney


    Almighty and Eternal God, You have poured out on your priests the blessing of the Holy Spirit
    as they share in the priesthood of Christ your Son. We praise You for giving this gift to Your Church.

    Through Your priests, Your people are sanctified and invited into the mysteries of Christ. We thank You for their generous service. Grant to your priests the gift of joy in ministry and life.
    Renew them each day in their consecrationfor the salvation of the world.

    Lord, hear our prayers for those You are calling into Your service now.
    Bless them with an openness to Your will and a love for Your holy people.

    May all your priests be renewed in holiness through the example of your servant St. John Vianney.
    Filled with the fire of your love, may they do all for your greater glory.

    We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

    Amen.

  • * Discernment Community Application

    University Chaplains pic lightened

     
    "A place where people gather to freely discern their vocation to holiness and mission."

    Holy Cross Chaplaincy exists to live lifelong community, giving students an experience of relationship that lays deep roots for their whole life long. The Household Program is more than a place to live; it is a way of life meant to form young people into lifelong relationship and fulfilling vocation. It’s the heart of our community and the primary place we live out our “why.” Participants in the household program commit to three ideals:

    1. Deep relationship with God
    2. Healthy community life with each other and the outside community
    3. Vocational discernment

    These three things, lived well, hopefully help to form program participants into activated parish leaders, fulfilled in their vocations.

    Discernment Community Application (fillable PDF)
    email the Application back to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
    www.hcchaplaincy.ca

     

  • * Vocation to the Priesthood

     Hands holding a Bible and sermon notes. man priest pastor minister 262972 PD 600x400

     “The priesthood is not a career, it is way of being.
    It is a life of sacrifice and service because it is the life of our Lord.“
    Vocations Centre Sydney

     

    • Every Catholic man, at one point in his life should consider a Vocation to the Priesthood, even if he is not intending to become a priest.
    • Many men today, do not have a clear understanding of what a Priest is, and what it means to be a Priest.
    • Being a Priest means devoting yourself to the people of God, to be their Shepherd at all points of their life.
    • Please see the link below to learn more: www.vocationcentre.org.au/home/what-is-a-vocation/priesthood