Comprehensive Overview of Vocations Ministry: The 9 Keys
Explore the essential principles for effective vocations ministry highlighted in "The 9 Keys" presentation. Delve into the involvement of diocesan bishops, integration of vocation efforts, prayer practices, director training, discernment opportunities, and financial support. Gain insights on engaging with bishops, understanding their leadership styles, and optimizing strengths to support vocation initiatives effectively.
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Presentation Transcript
The 9 Keys The Nine Keys for Vocations Ministry
Institute for Diocesan Vocation Personnel Objectives Over the next three days we will offer a comprehensive overview of vocations ministry as well as provide you with the information and tools necessary to assist you in vocations work in your diocese.
The 9 Keys Objectives In this presentation you will learn about the nine principles for effective vocations ministry. This overview material comes as the fruit of many years of vocations experience from members of the NCDVD. Time spent on these principles will increase the fruitfulness of your ministry.
Consider this Name three things you hope to gain over the next few days. Identify two challenges you face as you begin your new ministry. Name two of your gifts/strengths/abilities which will serve you well in vocations ministry.
Outcomes At the end of this presentation you will have a deeper appreciation for: The leadership of your bishop The primacy of prayer The importance of professional development The importance of your presbyterate in vocations ministry
The 9 Keys 1. The diocesan bishop is personally involved in vocation efforts. 2. The priority of vocation efforts is integrated into all aspects of diocesan life. 3. The faithful of the diocese are actively praying for priestly vocations before the Blessed Sacrament. 4. A vocation director, preferably full-time, has adequate time and human resources to fulfill the needs of the diocese for vocations ministry. 5. The vocation director has the proper formation and training. 6. The presbyterate actively invites specific individuals to consider a vocation to the priesthood. 7. Local, experiential discernment opportunities are available for candidates. 8. The diocesan vocation processes of discernment, application, formation, and evaluation is clearly defined and articulated. 9. Sufficient funding exists for the total cost of a vocation program.
Key #1: The Bishop The diocesan bishop is personally involved in vocation efforts Know the mind and leadership style of your Bishop Work to your Bishop s strengths Know the key people on whom the Bishop relies Examples of Episcopal involvement
Key #2: Integration The priority of vocation efforts is integrated into all aspects of diocesan life Identify the major offices directly connected to vocations Meet with the directors of these offices Foster good collaboration with win-win outcomes Share praise Example of Integrated Vocations Efforts
Key #3: Prayer The faithful of the diocese are actively praying for priestly vocations before the Blessed Sacrament Solicit prayers for vocations Produce and distribute prayer resources: prayer cards, booklets, posters, devotionals, etc. Encourage the use of these resources Lead fraternal organizations in praying for vocations Ideas for prayer opportunities
Key #4: Adequate Resources A vocation director, preferably full-time, has adequate time and human resources to fulfill the needs of the diocese for vocations ministry Are YOU as the vocation director living a healthy balanced life? Assessment Questions to Discuss: Is the vocation director full time? Is vocations ministry a top priority for the vocation director? Does the vocation director have other responsibilities? Do the director s other responsibilities naturally connect with vocations work? Does the vocation director have the necessary time to carry out vocations work? Does the vocation director have the necessary support staff for vocations work?
Key #5: Formation & Training The vocation director has the proper formation and training The Vocation Director should be grounded in his own vocation Spiritual Formation Intellectual Formation Human Formation Pastoral Formation The Vocation Director should know Church documents about vocations The Vocation Director should take advantage of the resources provided by the NCDVD Institute for Diocesan Vocation Personnel Annual Convention Regional Meetings www.NCDVD.org useful materials, events, documents, addresses, phone numbers, websites, email addresses, etc. Expertise of other Vocation Directors
Church Documents Vatican II - Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents Lumen gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 1964) Gaudium et spes (Pastoral Constitution the Church in the Modern World, 1965) Optatam totius (Decree on the Training of Priests, 1965) Presbyterorum ordinis (Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, 1965) Sacerdotalis Caelibatus (Encyclical Letter on Priestly Celibacy, Paul VI 1967) Pope John Paul II Novo incipiente nostro (Letter to Priests, John Paul II, 1979) Ratio Fundamentalis (The Basic Plan for Priestly Formation, 1980) (Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education) Pastores dabo vobis (Formation of Priests in the Present Day, 1992) Pope Benedict XVI On Priesthood and Those With Homosexual Tendencies (2005) (Instruction from the Congregation for Catholic Education) Pope Francis Lumen Fidei, June 29, 2013 Wednesday Audience, March 26, 2014 Message for the 51st World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 2014 Regina Caeli Message, Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, 2013 Homily for Seminarians, Novices, and Those Discerning Their Vocations, July 7, 2013 USCCB Documents Guidelines for Diocesan Vocation Offices (1998, Publication No. 5-222) Norms for Priestly Formation (Publication No. 619-0) Conversion, Discernment, Mission - Fostering a Vocation Culture in North America (Publication No. 477-2) Program of Priestly Formation, 5th ed. (2006, Publication No. 5-517)
Key #6: Invitation The presbyterate actively invites specific individuals to consider a vocation to the priesthood At the parish level: priests promote vocations and invite men to consider a vocation Priests promote diocesan vocation events Priests mentor and encourage seminarians and the newly ordained Priests participate in formal programs that promote vocations Examples of active presbyterates
Key #7: Events Local, experiential discernment opportunities are available for candidates Nature of diocese (rural, urban, etc ) may influence type of events What are your particular strengths and weaknesses? Know your budget Ideas for discernment opportunities
Key #8: The Ministry The diocesan vocation processes of discernment, application, formation, and evaluation is clearly defined and articulated Periodically the processes should be reviewed by the key participants in the vocations process: Bishop Vocation Director Vocation Review board/committee Why have clearly defined process: Fosters good communication Provides continuity Helps a new director comprehend the dynamics of vocation work Helps veteran directors make improvements and create new projects Sample vocations processes (Discernment to Ordination) The vocations process should include the following elements: Education & Promotion Discernment Application Formation Evaluation
SAMPLE VOCATION PROCESSES (from Discernment to Ordination) 1st Contact - a name comes to the Vocation Director Immediate follow-up: 1. Communicate with the candidate 2. Create contact in database Obtain basic information - initial screen for any serious obstacles/impediments Start record in Candidate list Prospect - individual is considered a potential candidate for seminary Vocation Director and candidate learn more - visit, lunch, meeting, etc. Director starts to assess Does this man show the general skills/disposition? Provide resources, opportunities, and information to learn and discern: Is Jesus Christ Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest, To Save a Thousand Souls There is NO PRESSURE at this stage, invitation only Invite to Retreats and Events Inquiry - the individual is starting to ask serious questions, show signs of action Questions - both from the individual and the Vocation Director are common Serious interest, evident in lifestyle, learning, willingness to grow Working on any concrete requirements mentioned by the Vocation Director Role shifts to more of guidance and direction especially with needed areas of healing
STEP BY STEP SEMINARIAN APPLICATION CHECKLIST 10. Contact the parish where you were baptized for a certified baptismal certificate with notifications. NOTE: It must be generated within the last 6 months. The parish can mail it to the Vocations Office. 11. Contact the parish where you were confirmed for a certified confirmation certificate. NOTE: The parish can mail it to the Vocations Office. 12. Submit a photocopy your parent s marriage certificate, preferably the church certificate (if applicable) NOTE: if a request for this document would create any family difficulties or is not available, please provide a letter stating the reason in a general way (i.e., parent s divorced, not married in the Church) 13. Contact all high school(s) and college(s) you attended for official transcripts: SAT, ACT & AP scores. NOTE: Transcripts must be mailed directly to the Vocation Office. TOEFL results are required from applicants whose first language is not English. 14. Retrieve all student loan debt information from www.nslds.ed.gov, click on Financial Aid Review NOTE: Information should include private educational loans and government student loans, amount(s) owed, due date(s), interest rate(s), lender(s), and term of loan(s). Only applicable if debt is report in application booklet on questions 77a - 77b. 15. Write two (2) essays and submit to the Vocations Office. Include last name on top right corner and write the question on the center of the page Each of the two (2) essays is to be one (1) page typed, double-spaced answering the following questions: What does the priesthood mean to me? What is my understanding of living a celibate life? 16. Submit two (2) current passport-size photos to the Vocations Office. 1. Complete and return Personal Information form at time of application. 2. Sign and return Release of Application Material form at time of application unless you are a minor (under 18; please sign and return form with parent s signature to Vocations Office within one (1) week of today. 3. Sign and return Fair Credit Reporting Act Disclosure and Authorization format time of application unless you are a minor (under 18) NOTE: Form is only signed if applicant is 18 years of age or older. 4. Complete and return References form at time of application. 5. Call Dr. Doran to schedule your Psychological Evaluation (303-514- 9104) the day of application. 6. Write your autobiography and submit it to the Vocations Office Include last name and page number on top right corner of each page 10-11 pages typed, double-spaced, including the following: Chronological history of your life A brief description of your relationship with your parents Relationships with family members and other significant people Experiences and achievements in school and work Social life Relationship with God, prayer and the Church One significant success you have experienced in your life One significant failure you have experienced in your life 7. Complete the application booklet 8. Schedule an appointment with your physician for a physical examination. Before your appointment, complete and sign Confidential Health Form and Report of Medical History. Bring the Confidential Health Form packet and Certification of Immunization for College Students with you to your appointment for the doctor to complete and sign. 9. Schedule an appointment with your dentist for a dental examination. Bring the Dental Examination Report with you to your appointment for the dentist to complete and sign.
SAMPLE VOCATION PROCESSES (from Discernment to Ordination) The Bishop If the Vocation Director/Vocations Committee recommend the applicant for acceptance, then: The Bishop reviews the application material All application paperwork (or just those elements he desires) Make sure he has the psychological report and any follow-up reports The Bishop s office sets up a meeting with the applicant Bishop meets with applicant and accepts him Bishop meets with applicant and does not accept him Vocation Director communicates with the applicant the Bishop s decision and makes sure the results are communicated by letter to those involved
SAMPLE VOCATION PROCESSES (from Discernment to Ordination) Seminary placement Vocation Director and Bishop discuss a suitable placement for the Seminarian. If necessary, the Director accompanies the seminarian on a visit. Bishop Review The Bishop and Vocation Director review the seminary evaluations in the summer There are 3 options: 1. Approved to continue 2. Approved with conditions - incorporated in new formation guide 3. Released (Director will meet with seminarian, official letter sent) Seminarian Gatherings The seminarian now formally meets three times a year with his DB s Fall Gathering (3rd week of August) - 6 days Spring Gathering (before Chrism Mass) - 3 days Summer: Ordinations - 2 days These times are for communication, learning, and building social relationships. Note These processes continue up to the reception of Holy Orders Prior to 3rd and 4th Theology, the Vocation Committee interviews the seminarian In this way the Diocese also establishes its recommendation for Holy Orders Seminary The entire field of resources and programs from a seminary are used for ongoing: Formation - comprehensive sense Discernment - Spiritual Direction, Confession, formation resources Evaluation - usually in the spring (received in early summer)
Key #9: Funding Sufficient funding exists for the total cost of a vocation program The work of Vocation Offices is diverse Much of the work of the Vocation Director is not readily apparent to others Vocation Offices budgets vary widely from diocese to diocese Establishing an adequate budget may require a substantial amount of work Collaborate with the other offices in the chancery
Vocations Office Survey Use the 9 Keys to assess the effectiveness of your office and programs See Handout
