In honour of National Vocations Awareness Week, a faithful group of seminarians, priests, and parishioners will be getting #Active4Vocations in the 14km City2Surf for the third consecutive year this Sunday 11 August.
The mission of Parramatta Catholic Foundation’s Active4Vocations campaign is to promote vocations to the priesthood and raise funds to support the formation of our Diocese’s Holy Spirit Seminarians on their journey to become priests. By participating in the City2Surf, they aim to highlight the importance of this cause and encourage our community to get involved.
Participants from across the Diocese of Parramatta ahead of the 2023 City2Surf in Sydney. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
As Pope St John Paul II said, “It belongs to the mission of the entire Church to ‘care for the birth, discernment and fostering of vocations, particularly those to the priesthood’.”
Fr Galbert Albino, Diocesan Director of Priestly Vocations said, “Every vocation is a gift to our community, and with your help, we can ensure that these gifts are nurtured and developed. The funds raised through Active4Vocations will directly support our seminarians’ formation and prepare these faithful men for their vital roles in our Church.
“Answering God’s call to a life of service as a priest requires an incredible leap of faith and it takes at least seven years of university and theology studies, spiritual formation, and pastoral experience to become a good shepherd for God’s people. It also takes a lot of love and support from family, friends, and our community.”
Seminarians Macky Amores (left) and Jose Lim (centre) participate in the 2023 City2Surf in Sydney. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The concept of vocation applies to everyone, as God calls each of us to play a role in His mission on earth. Whether through single life, marriage, religious life, the priesthood, or the diaconate, each commitment to love contributes to Christ’s vision of life and unity.
Discerning our vocation helps us use our gifts and talents to serve others, glorify God, and fulfil His purposes for our lives. During National Vocations Awareness Week, we are invited to reflect on how God is calling us to live out our vocations and how we may foster vocations in our community.
Praying for vocations helps Christians support one another in serving God and contributing meaningfully to our world. You are warmly invited to join us for Holy Hour for Vocations, held around the Diocese, to pray for vocations and ask for God’s grace in helping people discover, embrace, and thrive in their God-given vocations.
The Diocese of Parramatta faith community is invited to spur on our Holy Spirit Seminarians with a gift via tinyurl.com/Active4Vocations. Your generosity will make a significant contribution to their education and spiritual development, helping them to live out their vocation to serve God and our community as disciples of Christ and the future leaders of our Catholic Church.
Learn more about Vocations in the Diocese of Parramatta
Learn more about Vocations to the Priesthood and our Holy Spirit Seminary
