Full Time Vocation Directors Needed

For many years now I have been advocating the need for full-time vocation directors. I am fully aware of the desperate wrench that appointing such a full-time promoter or director can be for dioceses and religious orders when there are so many other needs to be met. In recent times in Ireland, I have noticed that some religious congregations have appointed lay staff in the roles of communication and of vocations ministry. This is a move forward. As far as I am aware, only two male religious congregations and one diocese in Ireland has a full time vocations director. Does this suggest that the Irish church is taking vocations promotion seriously? Hardly.

Evidence from around the world shows that when there is a concerted effort at the promotion of vocations and when a culture of vocations is fostered by a diocese or religious congregation that there follows, after a period of time, an increase in those interested in pursuing vocations and an increase in those taking the step to join.

So, instead of bemoaning the lack of vocations and suggesting that the Lord has stopped calling individuals to follow him through the path of priesthood and religious life, we would be far better off actually doing something about it. Having special committees to do more navel gazing will not solve the problem, neither will inertia, nor indeed will those who suggest that it is time for congregations to fade out (believe me I have heard this with alarming frequency). This really is the time for action. We need full-time vocation directors - otherwise we are failing in our responsibility to carry out the call of Christ to bring labourers into the harvest.

Church Attendance and Religious Practice on the Rise in Ireland

A recent poll commissioned by the Iona Institute and conducted by the reputable Red C market research company confirms what many in Ireland have been experiencing - that people are returning to the church. The increase in church attendance is small but significant compared to a similar poll carried out in early 2008. An analysis of the findings can be found by clicking this link http://www.ionainstitute.ie/pdfs/Press_Release_by_The_Iona_Institute_2Nov2009.pdf.

Since the findings of the poll suggest that young people (despite the common perception) are not turning away from the church in large numbers, it begs the question as to how best the Irish church can engage with young people. The results of the poll also would lead one to believe that with the right engagement and with proper encouragement and challenge that some of these young people would consider the option of a religious and priestly vocation as a viable and real choice.

(Thanks to David Quinn, director of the Iona Institute, for permission to use the links above on this blog).

Communications Problem

There is a fault on the telephone line to the Vocations Office at +353 1 8602791. The problem should be resolved within a couple of days. In the meantime, it is probably best to communicate by email to frgd@eircom.net

Apologies for the inconvenience that this causes.

Continuing Good News on Vocations in Ireland

Brother Kevin Mascarenhas makes final profession in Waterford

There is continuing good news on the vocations front in Ireland. Elsewhere on this blog you will have read of the 38 seminarians who began their studies for priesthood in seminaries in Ireland and abroad. 13 men also joined our novitiate in Cork in September.

Five men, one of them from Ireland, began their novitiate with the Capuchins in Oxford in England recently. A brief report on this happy event can be seen on the International Capuchin website here. The Irish Dominican friars rejoice in this good news.

I am also aware that two men began their postulancy year with the Pallotine congregation in the past number of weeks. The vocations page of their website can be seen here.

I note too that there have been final professions of some sisters of apostolic congregations in the recent past. Congratulations from Irish Dominican Vocations to Sr Siobhan O Keeffe of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary who made final profession in Cork in September. A report on this event can be seen on the website of Vocations Ireland. The Dominican sisters of the Cabra congregation recently celebrated the final profession of Sr Suzie O Rawe OP at a ceremony in Cabra in Dublin. Our best wishes and prayers to Sr Suzie. A report with some photographs of the event can be seen on the website of the Cabra Dominican sisters.

Finally, there was immense joy at the solemn profession of Presentation Brother Kevin Mascarenhas (pictured above) in Waterford recently. The Presentation Brothers in Ireland have been leading the way in vocations promotion in this country for the past few years and this event will no doubt be the springboard for better things to come.

All of this good news will hopefully inspire those involved in vocations ministry in Ireland in the months ahead.

Mass for Young People at Saint Mary's Priory Church, Cork.

Our brother novices at Saint Mary's Priory, Pope's Quay in Cork are organising a number of Masses for young people in our priory church over the coming months. The dates in 2009 are November 3rd and December 1st. In 2010, the Masses will be celebrated on January 12th, February 2nd, March 2nd, April 6th, May 4th, June 1st, July 6th and August 3rd. For further information you can contact the Dominican novices at +353 21 4502267

Preaching Saint Martin de Porres

There is great devotion to Saint Martin de Porres in Ireland and many of our communities hold novenas and other days of prayer in honour of the Peruvian Dominican brother around this time of the year (his feastday is November 3rd). His life is an inspiration to many and part of the reason for the devotion to Saint Martin is because of the many human qualities that he used for the benefit of others and in the service of God. He is no ordinary saint and his life story challenges many to think about their attitude to violence, racism, justice, care of the sick and obedience - among other things.

On a personal note, I have great devotion to Martin de Porres. One of the reasons I came in contact with the Dominican Order was through the Saint Martin Magazine which is a monthly publication promoting devotion to the great saint. Twenty two years ago I replied to a vocations advertisement in that magazine - not knowing then that I would be a Dominican friar following in the footsteps of Saint Martin.

I have been priveliged to ask to preach the Saint Martin novena in our church at Saint Saviour's, Dominick Street, Dublin this year and also to preach at the triduum to Saint Martin in our priory church of Saint Eustace, Newbridge College in Co Kildare (November 2nd to 4th).

To see the list of devotional novenas and days of prayer in honour of Saint Martin in our Dominican churches throughout Ireland this year, please visit the Saint Martin Apostolate website here.

Diocesan Vocations Directors AGM

Durin the next couple of days I am taking a break from the normal routine to join the Diocesan vocation directors at their annual general meeting in Kilkenny. I am very honoured by their kind invitation to attend and to speak on Practical Methodology for Discernment and Accompaniment during the conference. The diocesan vocation directors will be reflecting on the document In Verbo Tuo - this document arose of the European Continental Congress on Vocations in 1997. The authors of In Verbo Tuo set a two-fold task for vocation directors (1) to stimulate the development of a 'culture of vocation' in the Church and to establish structures that will support people in discerning God's call in their lives and (2) to actively and confidently promote the vocation to priesthood as a particular way of living and serving, to which God continues to call men today.

The diocesan vocation directors of Ireland deserve our prayer and support for the valuable ministry and work that they do on all our behalf. I am looking forward to meeting them.