2017 VAP Sample Parish Talk #1 The following is a sample talk regarding the Vocation Awareness Program. It's best that it be done in your style using your words. Please feel free to rewrite accordingly. Thank you Father/Monsignor: Good morning / afternoon: My name is _______, and I'm a parishioner here at _____________ and a member of the Serra Club of __________. My message today is especially intended for those of you who are single and between 18 and 40 years of age. I want you to know about a once-a-year opportunity. If you are contemplating a change in lifestyle - looking for a greater opportunity to provide service to others - wondering if the religious life as a Priest, Brother, Sister, or Consecrated Lay Woman might be what you're looking for, or, if you know someone in a similar situation, then you should know about a program sponsored by the North Texas Serra Clubs - the Vocation Awareness Program. The Vocation Awareness Program is a weekend event for single Catholic adults between the ages of 18 and 40 to explore and learn what it is like to serve God and the Church as a Priest, Brother, Sister, or Consecrated Lay Woman . Typically, men and women spend the weekend in group discussions, consultation and prayer conducted by a professional staff of Priests, Brothers and Sisters. The program helps the process of discerning if a vocation exists and how to respond to it. Participants explore the rewards and obligations that go along with religious life helping them to make a more informed decision whether a religious vocation or some other vocation of service is for him or her. Since its inception in 1990, the program has been attended more than 1,000 men and women of whom nearly 5% have entered the seminary or convent This year's Vocation Awareness Program will take place the weekend of June 16 – 18 at the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas (a Catholic University). There is no charge. Participants will be provided with a private room, meals, snacks, beverages etc. At the conclusion of the weekend, participants will not be contacted by anyone related to the program, unless they specifically request such. Registration deadline is June 5. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please see me after the mass for more details. Thank you for your interest and please pray for vocations.

2017 VAP Sample Parish Talk #2 The following is a sample talk regarding the Vocation Awareness Program. It's best that it be done in your style using your words. Please feel free to rewrite accordingly. Thank you Father/Monsignor: Good morning, (afternoon). My name is __________ and I am a member of the _____ Serra Club. As many of you are aware, the mission of Serra International is to encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life. For the North Texas chapters of Serra, our most important event of the year is The Vocation Awareness Program. It is a weekend event for single Catholic adults between the ages of 18 and 40 to explore and learn what it is like to serve God and the Church as a Priest, Sister, Brother or Consecrated Lay Woman. The program will be held June 16 - 18, 2017 at the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas (a Catholic University). It is designed to begin or contribute to the process of determining whether a vocation exists and how one should respond to it. A professional staff of Priests, Sisters and Brothers will participate with those in attendance, in group discussions and in one-on-one consultations to resolve questions and furnish the needed information and resources for an individual to make a more informed decision concerning a religious vocation. The activities are conducted in a relaxed atmosphere and no pressure is involved nor is any form of commitment requested. Those in attendance will be furnished a private room and excellent meals without charge. This is the 27th year that we have held the Vocation Awareness Program. Since its inception, the program has been attended more than 1,000 men and women of whom nearly 5% have entered the seminary or convent. Those who attended have been highly complimentary of the manner in which the program was presented and many of our current Priests, Sisters and Brothers attended the VAP when they were discerning their vocation. If you are interested in attending the weekend program or you know of anyone who might be interested, Serra representatives will be available in the narthex after Mass to provide more details. Registration deadline is June 5. Thank you for your interest and please pray for vocations.

2016 VAP Sample Parish Talk #3 The following is a sample talk regarding the Vocation Awareness Program. It's best that it be done in your style using your words. Please feel free to rewrite accordingly. Thank you Father/Monsignor. Good morning, (afternoon). Most of you know at least a few facts about the state of California. But you may not realize that a humble Catholic Priest named Junipero Serra is regarded as the founder of California. Father Serra lived from 1713 to 1784 and first came to Mexico as a missionary to the new world. He converted thousands of Mexican and California Indians to Christianity. He also established many of the famous mission churches, among them San Jose, San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Francisco, which today are thriving cities. And you may have heard recently that Father Serra was canonized when Pope Francis made his first papal visit to the United States in September 2015. As Father Serra trudged by foot or rode by donkey up and down the coast of what is now California, he adopted the motto, “Always to go forward, never to turn back.” Today more than 20,000 Catholic Lay Men and Lay Women around the world work toward increasing vocations to the priesthood and religious life to follow Father Serra’s example. These persons are members of the Serra Club. They have adopted Serra’s motto. They are committed to preserving the work of vocations. I am a member of the Serra Club of (insert your club name). Efforts to encourage young people to become Priests, Brothers, Sisters, or Consecrated Lay Women are not easy because many see those vocations as too limiting, too permanent, and too tough. However, many young people are responding to the call. But we need more of them to replace aging priests and religious. Metroplex Serra Clubs and the local dioceses are cooperating to conduct a weekend of discernment June 16 -18. Catholic men and women from 18 to 40 are invited to attend this free weekend at the University of Dallas, Irving (a Catholic University). There will be a staff of Priests, Sisters and Brothers to discuss religious vocations and answer questions to help the participants discern whether or not they have a call to serve our church through a vocation. Since its inception in 1990, the program has been attended more than 1,000 men and women of whom nearly 5% have entered the seminary or convent. We ask everyone to take part in this effort by praying, asking God’s help to direct more young Catholics to answer affirmatively His call to serve; and by suggesting to family members and friends that maybe they have a call to a religious vocation. If there is even a flicker of interest, please encourage that person to consider attending the June vocation awareness weekend at the University of Dallas, Irving . Registration deadline is June 5. More information is available in the narthex and in your parish bulletin. Your consideration of this invitation is essential to the life of the Catholic church of tomorrow. We all have a responsibility to work toward revitalizing our church. Thank you for your attention and for your prayers for vocations.