Father Thom Hennen
Director of Vocations
Are you concerned about the shortage of priests,
deacons and religious vocations in our Church? In the words of Pope John Paul:
What are YOU willing to do about it? A good start is
for us to join together and pray! Join with other Catholics
throughout the Diocese of Davenport in asking our Lord to bless us
with an abundance of committed priests, deacons and religious.
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If you would like me to come to your school or Religious Education classes, please let me know. I am here to do all I can to help you in promoting vocations.
Thanks so much for your help in promoting vocations!
Fr. Thom Hennen Vocations Director
or email: hennen@davenportdiocese.org
563-888-4255 |
Upcoming Events
Help Promote
vocations in our diocese, in your parish, and in your home.
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Take time to pray for, speak positively about and
encourage
actively vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and
consecrated life.
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Reflect on your own vocation and strengthen your personal
relationship with Christ.
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Educate our young people about the importance of silent prayer
and taking the time to truly listen to God's voice in our
hearts.
Upcoming Holy Hours for Vocations:
No Holy Hours currently scheduled contact Fr. ThomHelp Support a Recent University of Iowa
Graduate Enter Religious Life –
Samantha Bastian is a 2011 graduate of the University of Iowa and a
former member and cantor at St. Mary Parish, Iowa City.
Samantha is hoping to enter religious life at the Carmel of Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph in Valparaiso, Nebraska (near where she is from).
Like many young people considering vocations to religious life, she
must first resolve her student debt. She is working with the
Labouré Society to do just that. You can help Samantha
reach her goal by going to
www.labouresociety.org and clicking on “Meet the Aspirants.”
Then just click on Samantha’s name to hear about her vocation story
and to make an online donation. This is a great way to help
someone with ties to the Diocese of Davenport to realize her
vocation in Christ.
Dear Friends
and Colleagues,
This Sunday, April 29th the Church observes World Day of
Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of the World
Day of Prayer for Vocations is publically to fulfill the
Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send
laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a
prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms
the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the
priesthood and to the consecrated life. While appreciating all
vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on
vocations to the ordained ministries, (priesthood and
diaconate), to the Religious life in all its forms (male
and female, contemplative and apostolic), to societies of
apostolic life, to secular institutes in their
diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life, in
the particular sense of mission "ad gentes".
In his 2012 Message for World Day of
Prayer for Vocations, Vocations,
the Gift of the Love of God or Las
vocaciones don de la caridad de Dios, Pope Benedict XVI
meditates on the theme of God's love as the source of every perfect
gift. Vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are a
gift from God. Please join the USCCB Secretariat of
Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations in promoting vocations to the
priesthood and consecrated life by sharing the following links with
others:
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USCCB Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/usccb#!/usccb?sk=wall):
Beginning Monday, April 30 and each day of the week through
Friday, May 4, under the "Virtual
Vocations Retreat"
tab on the USCCB Facebook page, the Conference will post a
retreat prayer that is ideal for people discerning a vocation.
These spiritual exercises follow the lectio divina format,
including a Scripture reading, a portion of Pope Benedict XVI's
Message of "Vocation, the Gift of the Love of God," and a
closing prayer. Be sure to share it with those you know who
think they may be called to the priesthood or consecrated life!
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USCCB Web site (http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations.cfm ):
new downloadable Prayer for Vocations Card, Prayers of the
Faithful, Holy Hour formats, and bulletin announcements.
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USCCB Web site, in Spanish (http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/jornada-mundial-de-oracion-por-las-vocaciones.cfm):
Prayers for Vocations, Prayers of the Faithful, and Holy Hour
for Vocations format.
We would also like to take this
opportunity to let you know that the vocation resources available on
the USCCB vocation website: http://www.foryourvocation.org/
have been
migrated over to the new USCCB
Vocations webpages:
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/.
We will continue to host the For Your
Vocation Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/foryourvocation.
Beginning May 1, the URL of www.ForYourVocation.org
The Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations continues to be ever-grateful for your support in promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. May the Holy Spirit guide your apostolic outreach to the world, and may the Holy Spirit inspire hearts to respond to God's call to a priestly or consecrated vocation!
Chancery Address: 780 West Central Park Ave., Davenport, Iowa 52804-1901
Phone: 563-324-1911 Email: communication@davenportdiocese.org
© Diocese of Davenport 2011
