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Featured News | | 'Try It On'
Program intensifies vocations awareness effort
By Robert Delaney
Of The Michigan Catholic
 DETROIT – If anyone out there knows any young men who have what it takes to make a good diocesan priest, Cardinal Adam Maida wants to know about it.
Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit experienced a stepped-up campaign of vocation awareness when they went to Mass the this past September, and potential candidates were asked to "try on" the idea of a priestly vocation.
Cardinal Maida has produced a taped message that was played in churches, and members of the congregation were asked to fill out cards with the name of any young man they know who they think has the qualities that would make for a good diocesan priest.
Click here for excerpts from the Cardinal's message
The cards will be sent to Cardinal Maida (either directly or through the parish), and those who are recommended will be contacted.
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No one can discern a priestly vocation alone; a regular spiritual director is a vital part of discovering God's will. Some men talk to their parish priest or another priest they know well. A spiritual director helps a man learn more about himself and God's plan for his life. |
The first step will be to invite them to regional dinners with the auxiliary bishops, and those who exhibit a lively interest after that will be invited to a dinner with Cardinal Maida, said Fr. James Bilot, vocation director for the archdiocese.
"The auxiliary bishops have been very supportive, and the cardinal is very much excited about this program, because the priesthood is very much at the center of who he is," he said.
The effort is part of the "Try it On" vocations awareness campaign, which will include advertising and special efforts to reach young men in high schools, colleges and young adult groups, and also be supported by special programming on the CTND cable TV channel and articles in The Michigan Catholic, Fr. Bilot explained.
The new effort's focus on the diocesan priesthood does not mean the archdiocese is not interested in fostering other Church vocations as well, according to Fr. Bilot, but communications consultants have advised that the message needs to be more specific to be effective.
"Of course, religious sisters, brothers and religious order priests are integral to our community. We'll be working with the various religious communities to develop something along those lines for a later time," he said.
"Try it On" is based on the U.S. bishops' "Called by Name" vocations awareness campaign, but with some local enhancements aimed at making it more effective.
"A year ago, I met with a group of priests, and we were brainstorming – trying to come with new ideas to promote vocations. We thought about how the new generation is very involved with clothing, and we came up with an idea for a logo – a patch, like the label on a pair of jeans, with a clerical collar and the slogan, 'For the love of God, try it on,'" Fr. Bilot explained.
In much the same way that young people go to stores and try on clothing, he said he believes they try on the idea of various careers in their minds. "We're asking them to 'try on' something they've probably never thought of. They've probably thought of careers such as engineering or business, but never really thought of the priesthood as a viable, happy, lifelong vocation," he said.
The Catholic faithful have been urged to encourage vocations for many years – through prayer and by encouraging any persons who might be discerning a Church vocation. The new campaign asks them to take another step, by suggesting those who seem to have the right qualities, and giving the bishops a chance to contact them.
"Through our baptism, we're all called to a vocation – to serve the Lord. We're asking people, in a real positive way, to look at people in their communities," Fr. Bilot said.
For example, he said someone might have noticed an unmarried man who seems to have a strong spirituality and prayer life, and who is involved in the parish. Broaching the topic directly might be awkward if they are not well acquainted, but now there is a way to enlist the help and support of Church officials in suggest the idea.
"It's personal invitation that really helps people know when they're called to serve," Fr. Bilot said.
The auxiliary bishops will be talking vocations during their parish visits, and all priests will be encouraged to promote vocation awareness in their work with youth and young adults.
All this is in addition to ongoing vocations programs. Fr. Bilot conducts a monthly First Friday Discernment Group, where he meets with young men discerning a priestly vocation. "We come together for prayer and discussion," he said of the group, which meets at 7:30 p.m., at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
There is also the continuing series of Discernment Weekends at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, which allows those thinking about a vocation to tour the facilities, and to meet seminarians and faculty. Those interested in attending must apply in advance to the archdiocesan Vocation Office.
In hopes of stirring interest in youngsters in the entire variety of Church vocations, the office also sponsors Junior High Vocation Days, which bring entire seventh-grade classes from Catholic schools to the seminary to hear from priests and religious sisters and brothers about their work.
For more information, contact the Archidocesan Vocations Office.
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