You have taken the time to explore this page, and so this is our invitation to you. Stay and explore how God might be calling you to follow him.

How and why God is calling you are not the important questions that need answering here and now, because God is calling each and everyone of us and that call started with our baptism. The question now is how do I respond to God’s call and what is he calling me to be?

Consider the following questions. Would you answer yes or now to them?
Do you have a sense of humour? Do you like working with people? Do you want to make a difference in the world? Can you lead? Do you sense there is a deeper meaning to life? Are you sensitive to the needs of others? Do you think there is usually more than one way to do something? Do you get satisfaction from getting involved? Do you consider yourself to be a hopeful, positive thinker? Are you concerned with the direction that our society is taking?

If you found yourself answering yes to most of the questions above, you are probably giving thoughtful consideration as to what you could do with your life. There is a great need in the Church for creative individuals who can communicate the Gospel message through word and action. Do you want to make a difference in the Church and in society?

The Vocations Awareness Team offer you the chance to explore some of these questions and ideas further, and in confidence, through a series of weekend retreats held through out the year along side other informal opportunities. For more details email vocations@dioceseofshrewsbury.org. All enquiries are treated in complete confidence.

The Shrewsbury Diocesan Vocations Awareness Team was set up in 1998 as a result of Bishop Brian's desire for a renewed emphasis on the promotion of vocations. As well as the retreats already mentioned, the team also present a full day on vocation in our diocesan high schools and sixth form colleges.

These Vocation Awareness Days focus on vocations in general during the morning, giving time to each individual to focus on how and what God is calling them to. It is a time to hear others who have chosen to follow a specific vocation in life. In the afternoon the focus changes to that of Priesthood and Religious Life. This is a time to evangelise and educate. The day closes with a question and answers session, during which the team give frank and honest answers to the questions that are asked. The magic that lies behind these days comes from those who present them. Every member of the team enjoys their ministry and are passionate about the Gospel.

Please keep the Vocations Awareness Team in your prayers, our Church Students, and all those considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.

For more information contact:

Rev Jonathan Mitchell
Vocations Director
Holy Spirit and St martin de Porres
9 Summer Lane
Runcorn
WA7 2AE

01928-564492

If you are from outside our Diocese and want details of your local Vocations Director check out www.ukpriest.org. It is also a good site to browse through!

When we hear the word “vocation” we usually automatically think about priests and nuns! The word is not quite as exclusive as we might think; it is not only priests and those in religious life who have a vocation. We are all called by God to serve him and his people. That calling, our vocation, starts with our baptism. Through baptism it is our duty and right to spread the message of the Gospels, we don’t really have a choice in the matter!

Catherine of Sienna once said, “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze.” God is calling each and every one of us to live our lives to the full, to really look at our priorities and live accordingly. If we do that, if we follow God then we will set the world ablaze. Once the spark takes, then our enthusiasm and faith will spread.

But if there is more to a vocation than being a priest or a religious then what can I do? How can I live out my faith? There are actually loads of possibilities and it is a very exciting time for the church with lay vocations on the increase and in many forms.

Some are professional positions, for example in school, hospital or prison Chaplaincy, social worker or community development positions with one of the many church agencies, church youth workers and even retreat workers. Other lay vocations are voluntary and often within parish communities as Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Welcomers, School Governors, membership of organisations like the SVP or parish action groups.

Responding to your vocation or call from God doesn’t mean you have to give up your job and work for the church! If we leave spreading the Gospel message to priests and those who work in the church and for the church then we are missing the boat and a great opportunity. The greatest call of all is to live in the world, that is to live out your Catholic Christian faith and set an example that others can follow. The most powerful witness is to be a Christian at work, be that in an office or on the factory floor. You may not feel that God has called you to do the job you do, but through your baptism he HAS called you to live a good Christian life and evangelise those around you by your example.

Teaching is another lay vocation, but it carries an added responsibility. Those who teach in our Catholic schools must offer an example to our young people and help them to live out their faith and to respond to their call from God. A teacher’s vocation is more than just teaching the faith, but about helping their pupils to live that faith and to respond to the invitation to set the world ablaze by becoming the person God intends them to be.

Lay vocations are not a substitute for ordained priests; they are not second-class vocations. They are just as valuable, just as important, in fact the two forms of vocation compliment each other, we can’t have one with out the other. Lay vocation is not about “helping Father out” but about being the person God wants you to be and to assist in the building up of the Kingdom of God.

God is calling you, how are you going to respond? “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze”

For more details contact Fr. Jonathan Mitchell -  Diocesan Vocations Director.

Tel: 01743-362366

Email: