Explore religious vocations at awareness night

Friday, Oct. 16, 2015

WEST HEAVEN — The fourth Vocation Awareness Night at St. Mary Catholic Church  is scheduled for  Nov. 23.

Members of the Carmelite, Dominican and Daughters of Charity religious orders, representatives of diocesan entities, and Father Gustavo Vidal, pastor of St. Mary Parish, will speak about the rewards of their vocations.

The members of the various religious communities who will speak  “represent the various callings within a priestly and religious vocation,” said Donna Masek, the parish’s vocations coordinator, who is organizing the night.

During past Vocation Awareness Nights, participants arrived from as far south as Draper and as far north as Logan, and “all the vocation talks have been different,” said Masek.

The talks given by the priests and religious have included topics such as how some of them were called when they were quite young, or after going through a difficult period in their life.

This year, for women, “the Daughters of Charity exemplify a life of visible service in His kingdom, while the Carmelites will represent a cloistered life of service  through prayer,” said Masek, adding that  “for the gentlemen, the Dominicans will model a priestly vocation within specific order, while Father [Vidal] , who will host the evening, will bear witness to a priestly vocation for  a particular diocese.”

The Vocation Night is open for all Catholics throughout the diocese, and especially for youth in religious education classes.

“It is our hope that audience participants will gain exposure and knowledge of a life of service through a  priestly or religious vocation. At the completion of the testimonies of each of our guests, attendees will be able to pose questions for further clarification,” said Masek.

“It is interesting to see the kids ask so many questions about the speaker’s religious lives during the talks,” Fr. Vidal said. 

St. Mary’s religious education classes grades three through twelve will be in attendance. During the event, participants will be divided into age groups so the speakers can address them accordingly.

“Additionally, we invite parents, parishioners, youth groups, and anyone else that would like to avail themselves of this unique learning experience to come,” said Masek, who hopes that people contemplate the importance to see and experience priestly and religious vocations firsthand.

“As the family is the bedrock of so many vocations, we hope all will come, not only to learn more about God’s working in the lives of others, but also to experience the realities of His presence among us,” said Masek.

WHAT: Vocation Awareness Night

WHEN: Nov. 23, 7 - 8:15 p.m. 

WHERE: St. Mary Catholic Church, 4050 South 3900 West, West Haven 

Free and open to the public. 

For  information, contact Donna Masek, angels.gardenning@gmail.com.