Vocation article

I found an article from Inside the Vatican archives of interest.
Aug.-Sept. 2005
“How Bishops Discourage Vocations (and the Key to Attracting Them)”

Leaving aside the question of whether the Lord is going to bless dissent with abundant vocations is the other more practical question of what young man, firmly committed to and in love with the Lord and His Church, is going to seek ordination in a diocese where the clergy has a reputation for chewing up orthodox people, both clerical and lay, and spitting them out? Martyrdom is sometimes inevitable, but what sane person seeks it?

Interesting take but oh so true. If my children were interested in a vocation, I'd make sure it was somewhere they wouldn't have to hide, suppress or be ashamed of their orthodoxy. Covington would not be an option(at least not presently, I can pray for change). What I have seen happen here literally keeps me awake at night. I pray, it haunts me, I try to turn it over to God and His mercy.

There is no secret to attracting vocations. There are plenty of them out there. A bishop who tolerates dissent and ignores abuses will not attract them. A bishop who boldly stands up for Christ and His Church, and Church teachings, despite all costs and opposition, will attract them.

These young people are the future of the Church. Whether or not they are welcomed into their rightful place to which the Lord is calling them lies in the hands of each individual bishop.

Amen!

I tend to agree...alterboys

A parish in Norwalk has taken a heavy-handed approach to the dilemma of alter girls. This story, Siding with tradition: Area parish decides altar-serving is for the boys shows how one parish is dealing with this separate but equal issue. Of note is this quote:

"While equal opportunity is a noble sentiment, the bond between priest and the boys has now been lessened," he wrote. "There is also a certain awkwardness in teaching girls to take pride in a job that will never come to fruition, since they will never be able to become priests."

My son is rarely if ever put on the server schedule and while it does upset me, it allows us to go to a different parish on Sundays. I know it is something he enjoys and he has talked of a vocation but I know the huge influx of girl servers this year is awkward for the boys. After researching, girls are "allowed" to be servers but are not to be "encouraged". They will sometimes have ALL GIRL servers at Mass and it is just weird. They actually come up during the procession giggling(as girls do). This club this parish has started is brilliant and as a young girl, I would have really enjoyed that had it been made available.

After reading this, I have to wonder, did the switch have an effect on vocations? If my parish is an indicator, I would say it did. I have to wonder when that pendulum will swing back the other way to correct these "allowances" that squirmed there way into our Church.