Last weekend we had lots of things going on. We put on the costumes for Halloween. We celebrated All Saints Day. We heard magnificent music at the All Souls Day Requiem Mass. We celebrated Sunday for the first time as one consolidated parish.

But, we missed something during those days. The Church sets aside this week for prayer for vocations—vocations to religious life as sisters and brothers, vocations to the permanent diaconate, vocations to the priesthood, vocations to sacramental married life.

We didn’t miss the moment entirely. We’re always praying for vocational awareness at Mass. Throughout this week—curiously a week with almost no saints’ days—we’ve offered the Masses for vocations, particularly for religious life and for priests.

But, let’s not forget how important the appeal for vocations is. One of the prime reasons we’re involved in parish modifications this year and next (the consolidation this year, linkage with St. Ann in July) is the lack of available priests.

We all have a responsibility. If our young people aren’t in church, they’re not going to step forward to be leaders in ordained ministry or sacramental marriages. If our sons and grandsons aren’t at Mass, they’re not likely to hear or respond to the call to priesthood. If we don’t value priesthood, if we don’t invite men to consider this vocation, we won’t have priests. I’m here because lots of laywomen and men from this very parish—along with a few priests—kept suggesting I consider that call.

Of course, continue praying for vocations. The Holy Spirit can do things we could never dream of! But, let the Spirit use our voices—to welcome our young people to our worshipping community, to encourage everyone to seek the path God chooses for each of us.