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Holy Orders & Vocations
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World Day of Prayer for VocationsSunday, May 8, 2022
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The Diaconate ~An Invitation to Learn More
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Learn More about the Permanent Diaconate
Men between 30 and 59 sensing God’s call to the permanent diaconate and their wives are invited to attend one of the following Inquiry Sessions offered by the Office of Diaconal Formation.
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April 10, 2022 – Santa Cruz – 1100 Main St, Buda, TX 78610 – 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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April 24, 2022 – Pastoral Center – 6225 Hwy 290 E., Austin, TX 78723 – 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Applications for the Diaconal Formation Class of 2028 are being accepted now through May 2, 2022. Find additional information atDiocese of Austin
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On Being OrdinaryFr. Mike's Homily from Called by Name Sunday
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Our Counter-Cultural Call
Fr. Mike reminds us that, while the world tells us to be special and unique, God called Isaiah and Simon Peter as they were in ordinary places, doing ordinary things. Fr. Mike reminds us of Jesus great gift to us - that He became Flesh - He was ordinary, just like us. Yet Jesus calls us to do extraordinary things - like those we hear from the stretch of level ground in this Sunday's Gospel. We've set the video to begin at Fr. Mike's homily (at the 30 minute, 30 second mark)..
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Vocation Prayer
Almighty and ever faithful God, you spoke your Word to the world in your Son, Jesus Christ, and commissioned St. Paul to bring your word to all nations and to the ends of the earth. Your Spirit led Servant of God Isaac Hecker to proclaim your word in North America using tools of the modern age.
We ask you to call new missionaries in the line of St. Paul and Father Hecker.
May they burn with passion to give the Gospel a voice so that all may know the mystery of your love. May they follow the Lord Jesus with the zeal of St. Paul and Father Hecker as they carry on the mission of the Paulist Community.
In the power of your Holy Spirit, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Called by Name SundayFebruary 6, 2022
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Here at St. Austin
Our guest homilist will be Paulist Fr. Michael Hennessy, associate vocation director. As a Paulist preacher, we can expect good things. Perhaps he will talk about the upcoming Come & See retreat weekend. (See below for more about Fr. Mike).
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Across the Diocese
This weekend, every parish in the Diocese of Austin is asked to celebrate our second annual Called by Name Sunday. From all eternity, God has known each one of us by name and has a particular calling for us to follow. Called by Name Sunday is about listening and responding to God’s call. The goal of the weekend is to encourage young men and women to consider vocations to religious life and the priesthood.
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Paulist Invitations to Come & See
Is God inviting you to consider the priesthood?
Visiting the Paulist seminary would be a significant step in your vocation journey. On this Come & See retreat weekend, you’ll live and interact with the men studying for priesthood with the Paulist Fathers.
You’ll hear stories and learn what is unique about being a Paulist seminarian.
You’ll join the Paulist community for prayer, Mass, and meals.
You’ll learn about the principles of discernment; how to discover God’s will for your life.
There are two Come & See Experiences ~
Friday, February 11 - Sunday, February 13 ~ you’ll live and interact with the men studying for priesthood with the Paulist Fathers.
Come & See in DC
Saturday, March 5, Noon-1:30 p.m. (CT) on Zoom ~ an online introduction to the Paulist Fathers, the discernment process, the mission and ministry of the Paulist Fathers.
Virtual Come & See
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An Invitation to Invite
You'll find baskets of Called By Name cards in the Narthex. Do you know someone who may be called to the priesthood or religious life? If so, pick up a card and please help the diocese reach out to these individuals and come next weekend prepared to share the name(s) and contact information so that a letter of encouragement can be sent.
Explore the Diocese of Austin Vocations website at
God Is Calling Me
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More About Fr. Mike
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Fr. Michael Hennessy, associate vocation director for the Paulist Fathers, will be the homilist for all Masses this weekend. He is based in Los Angeles. Since summer 2021, Fr. Mike has been working with Paulist vocation director, Fr. Dat Tran, whom many St. A parishioners will remember from his pastoral year here, 2008-2009.
Fr. Mike was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 2018, at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City, the Paulist mother church. His first assignment was as associate pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with Fr. René Constanza, rector-pastor.
Fr. Mike’s introduction to the Paulist Fathers was listening to the “Busted Halo” radio show hosted by Paulist Fr. Dave Dwyer on SiriusXM’s Catholic Channel. He entered the Paulist novitiate in fall 2012, after eight years teaching history in high school in his hometown of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Learn more about Fr. Mike.
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"Here I am, send me." (Is 6:8)
From the moment of Jesus' conception in the womb of Mary until his Resurrection, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. In biblical language, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit and thus established by God the Father as our high priest. As Risen Lord, he remains our high priest. . . . While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way.
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8). This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.
~USCCB, United States Catholic
Catechism for Adults
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A Prayer for Vocations
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A Prayer for Vocations
God, the source of creation and love,
You invite each of us to serve you through the life which is your gift.
May your grace encourage men and women to heights
of holiness through service to the church
as priests, sisters, brothers, and lay ministers.
Make me an instrument to encourage others
to give of themselves and challenge me to do the same.
Amen.
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Heart of Jesus ~A Discernment Retreat for Men
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December 15 - 17, 2021
Brothers, might God be calling you to the priesthood?
Heart of Jesus is an opportunity to consider this question, listen to talks by priests and seminarians, and socialize with others who are discerning similar questions.
The schedule includes Mass and a time for prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Hosted by the Austin Diocese and open to men, age 18 - 40, the two-day retreat is set for Wednesday, December 15, 6:00 p.m. to Friday, December 17. 1:00 p.m. at Cedarbrake Retreat Center in Belton. The $35 fee includes meals and on-site lodging.
For details and to RSVP contact the Diocesan Vocations Office at 512.949.2430 or visit ~God Is Calling Me
“I know well the plans I have for you, says the Lord.”
~ Jeremiah 29:11
DAILY PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Heavenly Father, your divine Son taught us to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his vineyard. We earnestly beg you to bless our diocese and our world with many priests and religious men and women who will love you fervently, and gladly and courageously spend their lives in service to your Son’s Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We pray that their lives may be always centered on our Eucharistic Lord; that they be always faithful to the Holy Father; and that they may be devoted sons and daughters of Mary, our Mother, in making you known and loved; and that all may attain Heaven. Bless our families and our children and choose from our homes those whom you desire for this holy work. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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