Traveling Chalice Program Unites Parish Families in Prayer for Priestly Vocations
Fr. Luis Romero, CM, Director of Vocations for the Vincentians Eastern Province, has researched creative ways of promoting vocations in the local communities and found a Program which is called The Vocation Chalice Program. The purpose of the program is to encourage families to pray and promote vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. We asked Fr. Luis to answer a few questions regarding the program. We thank him for taking the time to answer our questions, and we ask you to keep him and his work in prayer.
How did you come up with the idea of traveling chalice (Vocational Chalice)?
Once the Pastoral Vocacional Vincentina (Lay Vincentian Group for vocation promotion) was established in the different communities, there was a sense that they really wanted to get involved with the vocation promotion in their local communities. So, I felt I needed to find something that will help to keep them active in their ministry and at the same time they would get other people in the community involved in praying for vocations. One of the roles they play among the local community is to provide a way for people to foster vocations which helps create a culture of vocations in their home parish. So, I started to research for ways of promoting vocations in the local communities and found a program which is called “The Vocation Chalice Program”. I proposed it to the group and all of the members where happy and willing to implement it in their local communities. The Vocation Chalice Program is running in ten different communities seven of them in different parishes on Long Island, NY and one in St. Rita’s Parish in Brooklyn, one in Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in South Philly and another in St. Mary’s Parish in Greensboro, NC.
In the simplest terms, what is the purpose of the Vocational Chalice?
The main purpose of the Chalice Program is to encourage families to pray together for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life. The consecrated Chalice is a tangible reminder of this special intention for the Church. The Second Vatican Council highlights the responsibility of the laity to pray for and support vocations.
How are families selected?
The members of the Pastoral Vocacional in each of the communities where this program has been implemented, are the ones who coordinate which family will bring home the chalice with them each week.
If a family is interested in sponsoring the Traveling Chalice, how would they go about becoming a part of the Vocation Chalice Community?
One or two times a month the member of the pastoral make an announcement during the Sunday Mass and encourage families to register if they would like the have the chalice visit their home. They would need to identify who are the members of the pastoral vocacional vicentina in their local communities and register with them. They will let the families know when the chalice is ready to take home.
Do you want to learn more about the Vincentian Eastern Province Priests and Brothers and join in the mission?
Contact:
Fr. Luis Romero, CM, Vocation Director
St. John’s University / St. Thomas More Church
8000 Utopia Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11439x
vocations@stjohns.edu
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