Parish Vocation Coordinator Training Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. ISAIAH 43:1

Introduction to the Program Archdiocesan initiative to increase vocation awareness and discerners Parish Vocation Coordinators (PVCs) coordinate between parish and Vocation Office Priests and administration bring attention to vocations using parish bulletins and homilies Each parish gathers candidate names and submits a curated list to the Vocation Office

Called by Name Review Agenda Parish Vocation Coordinator Parish Vocation Review Committee and Deanery Vocation Coordinator Implementing Called by Name in your Parish: Tasks and Timeline

Parish Vocation Coordinator Overview What are the qualities of a PVC? What is your role? What is the time commitment? When should the PVC meet with their pastors? Does the PVC have help?

Parish Vocation Coordinator Qualities Respected by your Pastor Viewed as a leader in your parish Possess a zeal for the Gospel Well-networked within your parish Considered a good coordinator and collaborator

Parish Vocation Coordinator role is to… Ensure the Called By Name initiative is effectively implemented while supporting your Pastor Serve as a liaison between your Pastor, your Parish Vocation Review Committee, and the Archdiocese Vocation Office Ensure the success of the Called By Name initiative within your parish through active support, prayer, and promotion Collaborate with parish administration to communicate with parishioners

PVC Miscellanea The time commitment for the position varies depending on availability and parish need Similarly, the pastor and PVC can meet based off of pastor availability and the parish’s engagement with vocation programs The PVC can work with others – some parishes have designated two PVCs to share the work

Parish Vocation Review Committee Serve as a filter for the nominees generated by the “CALLED BY NAME” initiative Personally invited or approved by the pastor Possess a good knowledge of the people in the parish The PVC is the key committee member and is responsible for all organization for the committee

Parish Vocation Review Committee The Pastoral Council could serve as this committee. If not, then the committee should include the following if applicable: Clergy of the parish, religious educators, Youth Minister, School Principal Key Dates: Committee formed on or before October 15th Roles and Responsibilities meeting before November 1st Candidate review meeting week of November 26th Nominee names due to the Vocation Office on December 8th

Deanery Vocation Coordinator The DVC is appointed specifically by the Director of the Vocation Office Almost always a priest Works with the PVCs in their deanery to put together St. Andrew’s Dinners, Deanery Holy Hours, and other discernment opportunities

Any questions so far?

November 26th - December 8th SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT DATES Preparation Period Up to November 4th Called by Name Pre-Weekend November 11th Called By Name Weekend 1 November 18th Called By Name Weekend 2 November 25th Follow Up Period November 26th - December 8th

September/October: Preparation & Promotion Meet with your Pastor to discuss the program and implementation plan Discuss the program with the parish staff Coordinate the program with all parish groups who minister to men 16 years of age or older Establish a Parish Vocation Review Committee

November: Marketing & Execution BEFORE November 11th: Make sufficient copies of the CALLED BY NAME response cards Receive CALLED BY NAME Vocation poster(s) from Vocation Office Provide bulletin editor with materials for bulletins for November 4th Work with Pastor for appropriate announcement for November 4th

November: Marketing & Execution ON November 11th: Provide bulletin editor with materials for bulletins for CALLED BY NAME Weekends 1 & 2 Display CALLED BY NAME Vocation poster in church Place the CALLED BY NAME cards in church pews Priest to deliver announcement and vocation-oriented homily.

November 18th: Called by Name Weekend 1 Homily (supplementary materials) References the program Stresses the importance of priestly vocations in the church The Prayers of the Faithful and music are coordinated to specifically address vocations Bulletin announcements or inserts are included

November 18th: Called by Name Weekend 1 (Continued) CALLED BY NAME response cards are placed in the pews and/or pamphlet rack of the church (please make pens and pencils available) Parishioners are asked to prayerfully consider the names of good, potential candidates, write the names on the response cards provided in the pews and return them to church the following Sunday, or mail them to the parish office

November 25th: Called by Name Weekend 2 Homily: Every priest will speak about: Their vocation story How joyful they are in the vocation Why they are happy What a priest does in his ministry Prayers of the Faithful, music, etc. are again specifically coordinated to address vocations

November 25th: Called by Name Weekend 2 (Continued) Bulletin announcements or inserts are included CALLED BY NAME response cards are placed in the collection basket or returned to the parish office sometime during the coming week. Remember to replenish the supply in pews/pamphlet rack after each mass

Program Execution Timeline 4. CALLED by NAME– WEEKEND ONE November 17-18th A. Vocation-geared Homily, Prayers of the Faithful and Music at all Masses (see pages information packet and supplement) B. Response cards collected during Offertory and replaced in pews C. Confirm that bulletin editor has material for this week’s bulletin 5. CALLED by NAME– WEEKEND TWO November 24-25th A. Vocation-geared Homily, Prayers of the Faithful and Music at all Masses B. Response cards are collected (replenish, if necessary) C. Confirm that bulletin editor has material for this week’s bulletin

November 26th to December 8th: The Follow-Up The Parish Vocation Review Committee reviews and filters all submitted candidates for the qualities needed for future religious and set them aside for follow-up A Pastor letter is sent to the submitted candidate informing him that he has been recommended for the CALLED BY NAME program The PVC follows up with a phone call expressing their encouragement and inviting them to a deanery Holy Hour for Vocations on January 6th. NOTE: The Parish Vocation Coordinator should not be given the actual response card and does not need to know who submitted the card

November 26th to December 8th: The Follow-Up (continued) The “Parish Nomination Recommendation Form” is completed and sent to the Diocesan Vocation Office for contact by Fr. Stephen DeLacy The Vocation Office will follow up with each of the nominated men, inviting them to vocation events A thank you from the parish priests and staff can be published in the bulletin

Program Follow Up Timeline 6. SCREENING & FOLLOW-UP NOVEMBER 26TH – DECEMBER 8TH A. Pastor and Parish Vocation Review Committee screen nominees B. Pastor mails letter to candidates (supplementary materials) C. Parish Vocation Coordinator phones potential candidates (supplementary materials) D. Parish Nomination Form sent to Vocation Office Due By Friday, November 20th (supplementary materials) E. The Vocation Office contacts each of the submitted names F. Each deanery hosts a Holy Hour for Vocations on January 6th

Important Notes The cost of mailing is prohibitive – please ensure that parishes collect email addresses and phone numbers as much as possible Safe environment considerations must also be kept firmly in mind! Candidates under the age of 18 cannot be contacted first, but instead their parents must be contacted.

Inportant Notes (Continued) A digital copy of the folder and slideshow will be sent to each person who registered for the training. These can be used to spread the word to others in your parish. We are offering to produce and mail you the cards in bulk. There will be an order form to turn in by September 30.

Any questions about the timeline?