Thursday, February 1
Celebrating Vocations

Today we celebrate vocations and the many ways people respond to God’s call.

The root of the word vocation is vocare, the Latin word for “call.” Through Baptism, God calls each of us by name. We also believe that God calls each and every one of us into discipleship. There are many different ways to respond to that call. When we celebrate vocations, we celebrate all of the ways people respond to that call.

Three Ways to Celebrate the Vocations-School Connection

1. Invite a variety of guest speakers to share how they believe they are responding to God’s call in their lives. Include students, teachers, and school and parish staff members in your invitation.
2. Write letters of thanks or prepare gift baskets for the priests, deacons, sisters, and brothers who serve your school and/or parish.
3. Teach the Vocations section of Our Catholic Heritage (Blest Are We Faith in Action) or Key Teachings of the Catholic Church (Be My Disciples).
4. Invite students to research one or more religious orders and learn about their charisms, especially those that serve in your diocese.

• Many religious orders have brief videos that describe their charisms. These are usually located on the website for the specific religious order. Share the video(s) with families. Invite them to learn about one or more religious orders, especially those that serve in your diocese. 
• Suggest that families “call” friends and loved ones and share how they see them living out God’s call in their lives. 
• Drop off or provide drive-by treats for the religious in your community. You may want to include those hand-made cards by students giving thanks for their ministry and sharing God’s love with others.
• Use a digital platform for an online trivia game using sections of Our Catholic Heritage (Blest Are We Faith in Action) or Key Teachings of the Catholic Church (Be My Disciples).