National Vocation Awareness Week, (NVAW) which takes place from Nov. 5-11, is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.
The Office of Vocations has been spreading awareness of NVAW by attending events to speak about vocations as well as taking to social media to interview priests, religious sisters, married couples and young Catholics.
To kick-off the week, the director of the Office of Vocations, Father Hau Vu, spoke with Bishop Alberto Rojas for his message about NVAW.
“Hopefully you'll be discerning, really thinking of what’s best for you in your life and how God has a plan for yourselves that you will discover soon,” Bishop Rojas said. “And in the meantime, we continue to pray for you. We keep you always in our hearts and prayers but also hope that you’ll find the place in the direction that God wants you to go. There’s always something beautiful about following God’s call. Trust it. I think God loves you. I think he has a plan for you, and he will lead you and let you know exactly what it is going to be and what you should be doing.”
If you visit the Office of Vocation’s social media, you will be able to view the posts dedicated to NVAW. There you will view the Q&A interview with the Sacred Heart Sisters, advice from married couples, young Catholics, and their view of priests, as well as an interview with Father Ted Drennan and his impressive LEGOs collection and how he uses his hobby to connect with the youth in his parish.
To increase awareness and participation, the Office of Vocations in coordination with the Totally Thine Ministry, also announced a giveaway on social media. The Office of Vocations has been posting videos and pictures throughout the week, and every time someone shares the Office of Vocations posts on their own social media stories and spread awareness to #Catholicvocations, that’s an entry into the giveaway. The giveaway includes an Ascension ‘Great Adventure Bible’, an Ascension Catechism, a Totally Thine t-shirt, and a Bl. Carlo Acutis medal blessed with Holy Water from Lourdes, France. For more information about the giveaway please visit the Office of Vocations on social media (SBDioceseVocations on Facebook and sbdiocesevocation on Instagram).
The Office of Vocation is conducting the giveaway with the Totally Thine Ministry. Totally Thine is a ministry dedicated to providing unwavering support to Catholic Single Young Adults (ages 18-35) on their journey toward a holy and meaningful relationship. Its primary aim is to cultivate an inclusive and inviting space where individuals can explore their vocations, encounter potential life partners, and deepen their understanding of God’s divine plan for sacramental marriage.
The next Totally Thine event, “The Love Paradox” for Catholic Single Young Adults will take place on November 17, at 7-9 p.m. at the Serra House Basketball Court at 12715 Oriole Ave., Grand Terrace, CA 92313. The theme for the evening will revolve around "Dating Mechanics," where the ministry will share valuable principles and guidelines that resonate with Catholics seeking meaningful relationships. You may RSVP here.