April 26, 2026 - Pastor Message
April 25, 2026WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
“At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few, so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest’” (Matthew 9:36-38).
This weekend we join the Church around the world in celebrating the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Following Christ’s command to pray for more “laborers for his harvest”, we pray today that all people may open the ears of their heart and soul to hear God’s call to them, regardless of who they are or what stage in life they may be: “You too go into my vineyard” (Matthew 20:7). We are all called by God to serve his plan, for our own salvation, certainly, but also for the salvation of others. No one who dares to call themselves Christian are exempt from this. It is the driving force of our lives and the entire purpose we are in this world - to hear and answer God’s call for us, our vocation.
Vocations may take many different shapes, especially as our lives progress, and call us to many different responsibilities over the years. For example, in my priesthood I have been everything from an assistant pastor, to a pastor, to a teacher, to a school principal, to a chaplain at nursing homes, prisons, of the Boy Scouts, Kuhl Hose Fire Company, and the Knights of Columbus, and judicial vicar of the Diocese of Erie. But there are a few vocations that we might say are the “Big Four”, under the umbrella of which all the other vocations fall: holy orders, matrimony, consecrated life, and dedicated single life.
The vocation of holy orders - deacons, priests, and bishops - calls men to serve the Church as shepherds, teachers, and distributors of God’s grace through the sacraments. Conformed to Christ in a unique way with a special, spiritual seal, they are empowered to act in Christ’s name and with his authority, according to their order. In fact, that is the meaning of “holy orders”, that they help order, or organize, the Church and direct it as we all work together to serve our common mission of proclaiming Christ to the world. Every team needs leaders, and that is what the vocation of holy orders provides the team of the Church.
The vocation of matrimony is the lifeblood of the Church, providing new members for the Church as husbands and wives become “one flesh” in the birth of their children and provide their children with faith-filled homes in which to grow in their knowledge and love of God. As a sacrament, God blesses married couples with special grace to sustain them in their marital commitment and shines through them, like light through a lightbulb, to show his love and grace to the world in their lifelong, exclusive bond. Unfortunately, we know that this sometimes does not happen, and we certainly pray for our brothers and sisters who have gone through the pain of divorce. Despite human weakness and failures, however, matrimony remains an essential part of God’s plan, and we pray that young people hear and answer God’s call to this beautiful sacrament in their lives.
We will examine the vocations of consecrated life and dedicated single life next week. In the meantime, keep praying that the master send more laborers for the harvest and that all people will hear and answer God’s call in their life.
Fr. Marc Stockton
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