Think Vocations 2023 (part two)

Bulletin and Website Notices for Parishes

Trinity Sunday to Christ the King 2023

As we did for the first half of this year, we offer here some brief reflections drawn from the Mass readings for each week which might help prompt thought and prayer about vocations to priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life in your parish – or perhaps in the heart of someone God is calling to a life of service to the Church.

Since our Ordinary Time Sunday gospel readings come this year from the Gospel of Matthew, we take as our guide the invitation Jesus makes to the tax collector himself in that Gospel (Matthew 9:9). He is surprised by the intervention of Jesus into his familiar life and work, but gets up right away and follows him at his invitation. Maybe now is the time to trust in God and try something new! Maybe now, Jesus is calling someone in your parish to rise from what is familiar, from the work he or she is engaged in at the moment, in order to follow him into ministry, into priesthood, religious life or diaconate. It takes trust and courage – but it also takes encouragement from those around us, and from our fellow parishioners.

Perhaps this is ideal the time to reach out to someone with the invitation to serve Christ and his people in priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.

Please feel free to copy and paste these brief reflections into your weekly parish newsletter or other publications. You may prefer to copy and paste them onto your parish website as a banner message or news item, to place a link to this page as a whole on your website, or to use them as Facebook posts on or around the relevant Sunday.  If you have used them before, you might notice a slight change in format, streamlining the contact details etc. Some posts may be a bit long for Twitter, but they can be edited by removing the email link and/or some of the contact information.

Remember to tag us when you post (@priestsforscot) or use the hashtags #thinkvocations2023 or #vocation2023.

(Note: The texts below contain hyperlinks which may not be replicated in a “cut-and-paste” operation.)

The post-Pentecost Sunday Solemnities

Trinity Sunday — 4th June 2023
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” Could you be one who brings others to know of God’s overwhelming love?Perhaps you are discerning a call to priesthood or religious life. Contact your Diocesan Vocations Director for support, visit Priests for Scotland online or on Facebook, or see VocationNetworkScotland.

The Body and Blood of the Lord — 11th June 2023
“Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.” We all share Christ’s priesthood by our baptism, but some are called to a particular share in it as ordained priests, bringing Christ’s presence in the Eucharist to our lives, offering the Mass for us. Could that be you? Contact your Diocesan Vocations Director, visit Priests for Scotland online or on Facebook, or see VocationNetworkScotland.

Sundays in Ordinary Time

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 18th June 2023
“The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few.” Today’s Gospel is a clear invitation to pray for more vocations to service in the Church. Why not make it a special prayer intention this week? Visit Priests for Scotland online or on Facebook, or see VocationNetworkScotland for more on Vocations.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 25th June 2023
“Do not be afraid.” Three times today Jesus says these words. Why be afraid? If he is calling you to service as priest, religious or deacon, he will help you make a response. Contact your Diocesan Vocations Director, visit Priests for Scotland online or on Facebook, or see VocationNetworkScotland.

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 2nd July 2023
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me.”  If you think God might be calling you to bring God’s word to his people as a priest, deacon or in consecrated life, speak to your Diocesan Vocations Director, visit the Priests for Scotland website or these helpful Facebook pages: PFS or Vocation Network Scotland.

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 9th July 2023
“My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Could you take up Christ’s yoke as a priest, deacon or in consecrated life? Could you be one who helps others carry their burdens? Speak to your local Vocations Director, or get in touch with Priests for Scotland via our website or Facebook pages: PFS or Vocation Network Scotland.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 16th July 2023
“Imagine a sower going out to sow.” When you imagine that sower, spreading the seed of God’s word in the field of the world, could you imagine it might be you? Could Jesus be inviting you to be a preacher as priest, deacon or in apostolic life? Speak to your Vocations Director, visit the Priests for Scotland website or see the Facebook pages: PFS or Vocation Network Scotland.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 23rd July 2023
“Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.” The Kingdom of God needs witnesses and teachers to share the message. Why not consider priesthood, a diaconate or consecrated life? Visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages: PFS or Vocation Network Scotland.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 30th July 2023
“Treasure hidden in a field… a pearl of great value.” That treasure might be within you, waiting to be shared with others. Could you give everything away in order to find God’s Kingdom and share it with others? Talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 6th August 2023
“They all ate as much as they wanted” Jesus feeds the crowds in their need. Could you be called to bring the food of the Eucharist, the abundance of God’s grace to others as a priest? Talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 13th August 2023
“He went up to the hills by himself to pray.” Do you feel called to follow a different path to the one people expect, a path of prayer and service? Perhaps you are being called to priestly or contemplative life. Talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 20th August 2023
“Woman, you have great faith!” The woman in today’s Gospel knows her need and is persistent in her prayer. Pray with conviction that many will hear the call to ordained and consecrated life. If it could be you, talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time — 27th August 2023
“On this rock I will build my Church” The Church still needs men and women of faith and courage to lead it and to serve it, in priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. Talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time — 3rd September 2023
“Let him renounce himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Could you answer the call to leave everything in order to serve Christ? Could you go against the world’s clamour for status, wealth and possessions in order to follow Christ in consecrated or ordained life? Talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time — 10th September 2023
“Where two or three meet in my name, I will be there.” Priests are called to gather Jesus’ followers, to bring them into his presence and show them his mercy. Could that be you? Talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 17th September 2023
“He let him go and cancelled the debt.” God’s forgiveness is overwhelming in its scope. Could you a gentle instrument of healing and forgiveness, ministering the sacraments to the penitent and the sorrowful as a priest? Talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 24th September 2023
“You go into my vineyard too.” The call to work in the Lord’s vineyard of the Church can come at any age, any moment. Could he be asking you to spend yourself in his service as priest, deacon or in consecrated life? Speak to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 1st October 2023
“”You go and work in my vineyard today.” One son did the Father’s will; one did not. Am I listening to what God is asking me to do for him? Am I responding? To find out more about discerning a vocation to priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life, speak to your local Vocations Director. Visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland).

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 8th October 2023
“Let me sing to my friend of his love for his vineyard.” Could you bring the joyful message of God’s love for his world by preaching or by apostolic service as a priest, deacon or in religious life? Speak to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland).

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 15th October 2023
“Come to the wedding!” There is an invitation to be shared with people to come to faith, to live the Gospel and to share in the sacraments. Could you pas on that invitation as a priest, deacon or religious? Speak to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 22nd October 2023
“I have called you by your name.” Each of us has a unique calling, some specific service to offer. Perhaps the Lord is calling you to priesthood, diaconate or to consecrated life. Speak to your local Vocations Director about priesthood, or vocation in the Church or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time — 29th October 2023
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart.” Do not be afraid to respond in love to God’s call within you. He will guide you. Speak to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time — 5th November 2023
“The greatest among you must be your servant.” Come serve the Lord and his people as priest, deacon, religious sister or brother. There is much to do and many to serve! Speak to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time — 12th November 2023
“The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him!” Am I ready to hear the Lord’s call when it comes? Maybe I need some help to discern what he is asking of me. Why not speak to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time — 19th November 2023
The Parable of the Talents today reminds us that God has given each of us the gifts we need for the work to which he has called us. Could your gifts serve the Church as priest, deacon or in consecrated Life? What you give, you more than get back! Speak to a Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

Solemnity of Christ, Universal King — 26th November 2023
“I am going to look after my flock.” People needs shepherds after the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd to care for them and serve their deepest needs. Could that be you? Speak to a Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.