"Who Will Bring You to Heaven?" Nov 4, 2022

Who Will Bring You to Heaven?

Dear Parishioners,
As we celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week (November 6-12), it is inspiring to contemplate that God, our Creator, knows each of us personally and has a plan for our lives. 

The most important calling we have is to our vocation: marriage, the priesthood, consecrated life, diaconate, or some other path. To my dear friends in Christ discerning their vocation, I encourage you to focus on using your talents at the service of the Lord to become more like Him and bring Him to others. If you live more closely to Our Lord, in prayer and service, His will for your life will become clearer. 

For those who have committed to a particular vocation, I pray that each morning you are enthused and energized in the great opportunity you have to demonstrate to the world God’s goodness and love. I pray that your vocation enriches you, draws you closer to Christ, and evangelizes a world in need of the fulfillment found only in Him. 

I also ask that you pray for our Archdiocese, that God will continue sending priestly vocations to serve in this local vineyard. We are blessed with many seminarians; however, the needs of our Archdiocese are ever growing. Your prayers are invaluable in helping young men hear the call of Our Lord and respond with courage and confidence.
As we celebrate Vocation Awareness Week, here is a story that sheds light on why vocations are so critical within the Church:

I grew up in a loving Catholic family, helping out often at my parish. I got tired of hearing everyone say, “You’ll make a good priest when you get older!” Everyone, that is, except my pastor.

But one day, as a senior serving one of my last Masses, just as the old monsignor and I were about to enter the sanctuary, he asked, “John, what will you be doing after graduation?” I thought to myself, “Oh boy, here it comes.” But I replied, “Monsignor, I’m thinking about studying medicine.” And he replied, “Good, good. And what will you do after that?” I said, “Well, I suppose I will marry and have a family.” The priest said, “Good, and what after that?” Not sure exactly where this was leading, I replied, “I guess I will grow old and eventually retire. And then I guess I will die and go to heaven.” The pastor nodded his head thoughtfully, then looked at me earnestly and asked, “And who will you bring with you into heaven?” Immediately, he rang the sacristy bell, and we walked out to begin Mass.

I thought to myself, “How clever you are, Monsignor. How clever you are. Who will I bring with me to heaven?” I pondered that question for several years before answering it by entering the seminary. (Adapted from an anonymous priest’s vocation story as told in To Save a Thousand Souls.)

The lesson is clear: every vocation is about helping others reach heaven! This is every bit as true about marriage as it is about the priesthood. How are you helping others draw closer to Jesus?  

During this National Vocation Awareness Week, I hope that, with the Lord’s grace, you cultivate a spirit of gratitude toward God for His plans for your life, no matter your vocation. Through our commitment to prayer, holiness, and virtue, may we each find the path of holiness to which God calls us and live that life in abundant grace and in a manner worthy of the call you have received. 

Fr. Robert T. Cooper, Pastor
Divine Mercy Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School