Townsville diocese vocations co-ordinator Neil Helmore has called on Catholics to be more pro-active in fostering vocations.
“I think as a church we have forgotten the vocations message, we take our priests and religious for granted and we are no longer asking the question of our young people,” he said.
“I have been visiting a number of our Catholic schools and setting up our vocations stand at their Year 10 Careers days and also presenting the vocation message to classes.
“We currently have three men discerning priesthood with Emene Kelemete (Michael to his friends) attending the Holy Spirit Seminary in Brisbane.”
Mr Helmore said students and parishes around Townsville would be hearing and seeing a lot more of the vocations message.
“Our parishes need to be on the look out for young people who have a passion for the church,” he said.
“We need to challenge them to take their mission to the next level and embark on a journey of fulfilment.”
During his school visits, Mr Helmore will be challenging the students to look to God for their calling in life.
The vocations office has also just completed its first V9 Novena for Vocations and is hoping to see the fruits of the prayer in the coming months and years in Townsville diocese.
