vocations

UNIVERSAL CALL TO HOLINESS

“It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, and the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society”
St John Paul II

The concept of ‘vocation’ applies to every person’s life, for if we listen well, we discover that God calls each of us to play a part in his mission here on the earth. Whether in single life commitments, relationship and marriage, the religious life, priesthood or diaconate, each such commitment of loving forms part of Christ’s dream of life and unity.

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Priesthood

If you feel as though God may be calling you to the priesthood, the Diocese of Parramatta welcomes the opportunity to help you with your discernment.  The Director of Priestly Vocations is your first point of contact. The Diocese of Parramatta has a four-step admission process:

  • Inquiry
  • Discernment
  • Aspirancy
  • Recommendation and Acceptance

To read more about the priesthood and seminary click here

Consecrated & Religious Life

Those who have been in consecrated and religious life have always made an irreplaceable contribution to the work of God in the Diocese of Parramatta. They work in social ministries with the unemployed, refugees, youth, homeless people, people with AIDS, women suffering from domestic violence, single mothers, the aged, mentally ill people; in a variety of health care services; in spiritual direction, retreat work and counselling; in social justice ministries; in parish work. In the Diocese of Parramatta, there are representatives from 11 congregations of clerical religious, from 32 congregations or secular institutes of women and from five congregations of religious brothers.

If you would like to know more about religious life click here. (Opens external website) 

Permanent Diaconate

The Second Vatican Council reinvigorated the ancient order of deacons, reinstituting the permanent diaconate. By calling and ordaining deacons the Church is saying something fundamental: that service is at the heart of the human and divine mystery. Deacons are a permanent feature of the Church and the Church is not fully herself wherever deacons, priests or bishops are lacking. The gift and calling of the deacon is not for his own sake but for building up the Church in particular ways:

  • To bring God’s Word to believer and unbeliever alike;
  • To preside over public prayer, to baptise, to assist at marriages and bless them;
  • To give viaticum to the dying, and to lead the rites of burial;
  • Once he is consecrated by the laying on of hands, he will perform works of charity in the name of the bishop; and
  • To celebrate faithfully the liturgy of the hours for the Church and for the whole world.

To find out more about the Permanent Diaconate, click here

Married & Single Life

Marriage according to Pope Francis: “is a true and authentic vocation …..Two Christians who marry have recognized the call of the Lord in their own love story, the vocation to form one flesh and one life from two, male and female. And the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony envelops this love in the grace of God.” This love is called to be free, total, fruitful and faithful.

Being single conjures up ideas of loneliness and unhappiness in people’s minds. Yet in reality, single people have much to offer society. They can give more freely of their time for the service of others.

To find out more about these Vocations click here