The Second Vatican Council recommended all parish communities to further vocation awareness in their parishes. More recently, Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, wrote the following in his Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis:

The pastoral care of vocations needs to involve
the entire Christian community in every area of its life.

We cannot create a “vocation”; only God can do that. But we can, through prayer and promotion, make our parish community more “vocation conscious” and help each individual listen to what God is calling them to do with his/her life.

Pray daily for increased vocations.

Encourage fellow parishioners to pray for, learn about, support, and recruit vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.

Attend a Holy Hour for Vocations in the Diocese. Go to the Diocese vocation website for schedules.

Support our seminarians and men and women in formation for religious life. If you would like to “adopt” a seminarian, contact the Raleigh Diocese Office of Vocations

Have another idea of how you or our parish can help promote vocations? Contact Bruce Bavinger, S.J. 865.5747 to help create other opportunities at St. Raphael.

Hearing the Call

Explore the idea of a religious vocation.

Support our Seminarians

Adopting a seminarian is a great idea for families, prayer groups, school and faith formation classes, and any individual who wants to actively support our diocesan seminarians and Jesuits in formation. If you or your group would like to adopt a seminarian, please contact the Raleigh Diocese Office of Vocations

For a list of Diocesan Seminarians and Jesuits in Formation, please click the link.

Vocation Newsletters

“Vocare” is the quarterly e-newsletter from the Office of Vocations. If you would like to subscribe to the e-newsletter, please send an email to the Raleigh Diocese Office of Vocations

Events

Priesthood Discernment Group
Adult Catholic men between the ages of 17-48 discerning a possible call to Priesthood are invited to the Priesthood Discernment Group meetings which are typically held on the third Saturday of each month. If you are just beginning to contemplate a vocation or are more serious about a call to priesthood please consider attending this group. The Priesthood Discernment Group provides a fraternal environment in which to discuss your discernment of a possible call to Priesthood with other men who are also examining the call. The group discusses issues central to the call and does so within the context of prayer, presentations, and discussion. The morning begins with Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral at 9:00AM. Coffee and doughnuts will be available in the Office of Vocations after Mass (two doors down from the Cathedral). Morning Prayer, a discussion/presentation about discernment/Priesthood, Daytime Prayer, and lunch follow.

Women’s Prayer Group for Vocations
Adult Catholic women between the ages of 17-45 who are committed to praying for vocations, growing in holiness while in the midst of the world, and discerning the call of Christ are invited to the Women’s Prayer Group for Vocations. Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month and begin in Sacred Heart Cathedral with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00pm followed by Benediction. At 8:00pm the group moves to the Office of Vocations for fellowship and discussions. Meetings end by 9:00pm.

Quo Vadis Group for High School Boys
High school aged boys are invited to attend the Quo Vadis Group, which meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Quo Vadis provides a fraternal environment and an opportunity to gather for fellowship, prayer and a discussion on discernment and vocations. Please contact the Office of Vocations for more information at 919.832.6279.

Vocation Director Contact Information

Vocation Director for the Diocese of Raleigh
Reverend Bernard (Ned) Shlesinger, III
226 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603
919.832.6279
shlesinger@raldioc.org

Vocation Director for the Maryland and New York Provinces of the Society of Jesus
Reverend Charles Frederico, S.J.
39 East 83rd Street New York, NY 10028-0810
212.774.5500
vocations@mdsj.org
 

Helpful Links

Diocese of Raleigh Office of Vocations

Jesuit Vocations Office for Maryland, New England & New York Provinces
 

St. Ignatius
Society of Jesus
Jesuits

St. Catherine of Siena

St. Francis of Assisi
Franciscan Order

St. Thomas Aquinas

St Louise de Marrillac