Contact: David Tagliaferri 978-475-4287

God has blessed me in unique ways. How should I use my gifts to serve Him?

What is a Vocation?

A vocation is how you choose to live your life, using the gifts you have been blessed with in a way that best honors, serves, and pleases our Lord. A vocation includes: ordained vocations such as the Priesthood and Diaconate, the consecrated religious life for men and women, marriage, parenthood and the single life — all ways of living our lives in dedication to our Lord.

The St. Augustine Vocations Committee has been established to increase awareness and education concerning all vocations. We work to encourage parishioners to understand their unique gifts and talents given by God— and through prayer— determine his or her unique vocation.

We meet once a month (the third Tuesday of each month at 7PM) to coordinate an annual lineup of activities concerning vocations. We welcome anyone who would like to join the Committee to support our mission! Our committee is looking for exactly your gifts.  We explore current issues in our world and what it means to have a vocation that enriches our souls and helps serve Our Lord through educational events.  Whether you are talented with listening, planning, writing, organizing, or speaking the Vocations Committee is a wonderful way to serve and participate in your Catholic faith.

God, I know You love me and have great plans for me.  But sometimes I am overwhelmed by the thought of my future. Show me how to walk forward one day at a time.  May I take heart while I search openly, learn about all the choices, listen to others for advice, and pay attention to my own feelings. By doing these things, may I hear your call to a lifestyle and a career that will let me love as only I can, and let me serve others with the special gifts that You have given me. Amen

Some of our St. Augustine School children shared their unique testimonies about what vocation means to them:

 

Annual Activities

The following activities are designed to help those who attend to be able to be inspired, listen to God, and better understand how best each of us can use our talents in service of God.

 

World Day for Consecrated Life

The first Sunday in February of each year  has been designated as World Day for Consecrated Life, a commemoration begun by Blessed John Paul II in 1997. The World Day for Consecrated Life is held on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Pope explained, because “the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is an eloquent icon of the total offering of one's life for all those who are called to show forth in the Church and in the world, by means of the evangelical counsels the characteristic features of Jesus -- the chaste, poor and obedient one.”

World Marriage Day

We celebrate the Vocation of Marriage and World Marriage Day at all Masses on the second weekend of February. We will be honoring and praying for all married couples during all Masses over the weekend.

Your Marriage is Your Call to Holiness (video)

World Day of Prayer for Vocations  

In 1963, Pope Paul VI designated Good Shepherd Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Easter, as World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We will be praying at all Masses, highlighting the importance of vocations in the life and mission of the Church, as well as for intensifying our prayer that they may increase in number and quality.

World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests

Blessed John Paul II established that on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart, the Church will observe the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests.

Vocations Week - Third Week of October

During this week long celebration, learn, hear and understand how others have found their Vocation and perhaps, better understand how you can use your gifts to serve our Lord.  A guest speaker will deliver the homily at all Masses the weekend which marks the beginning of the third week in October.

Daily Prayer Intentions

Sunday: ALL Vocations
Monday: Augustinian and the Consecrated Religious Life
Tuesday: Marriage
Wednesday: Ordained Vocations—Priesthood and Diaconate
Thursday: Single Life
Friday: Parenthood
Saturday: ALL Vocations

National Vocations Week - First full week of November

National Vocation Awareness Week is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

Day of Prayer for Augustinian Vocations - Second Sunday of November

The Order of St. Augustine are followers of Jesus Christ, who live in faith-filled community in the spirit of St. Augustine, the great Doctor of the Church. Join us for a day of prayer for Augustinian Vocations.

 

Vocation Resources

Prayer for Vocations
Let us pray to the Lord of the harvest who calls men and women to loving service: All glory and praise are yours, God of truth, light of our hearts, for you guide your people in the ways of holiness. Help those who follow in the footsteps of Augustine to see you through mutual love and worship and to be servants of your Church as examples that others may follow. Enlighten men and women to see the beauty of common life in the spirit of Saint Augustine, and strengthen them in your service so that the work you have begun in them may be brought to fulfillment. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Blessed Stephen Bellesini, O.S.A., pray for us.

Blessed Stephen Bellesini, OSA (1774-1840) was an Augustinian friar known for his preaching, teaching, and ministry to youth and is considered the patron of vocations to the Augustinian Order.  His feast day is February 3rd.