Good Shepherd Sunday
On this the 4th Sunday of Easter we hear John’s Gospel – Christ identifies himself as the Shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep. Good Shepherd Sunday is fittingly, World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
As a member of the Church, we all have a responsibility since baptism to foster vocations – priesthood, diaconate, consecrated life – male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity – missionary life, single life, and married life. At baptism we are called to holiness – to serve God and others.
Whatever our vocation we are called by Jesus to enter into it with the compassion, patience and love He taught us – see the good in others, forgive, serve without wanting something in return, and be the light of Christ in your actions and your words. Trust God, His plan, and His timing.
On this Good Shepherd Sunday in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston we call to mind all those who have strengthened our faith throughout our lives, as well as those who are shepherding us today. Together let us thank God for our bishop, our priests, consecrated men and women, missionaries, and lay faithful who are servant leaders for Christ’s Church.
Individually let us dedicate ourselves to our own discernment and also encouraging young men and women to open their hearts and minds to Catholic vocations in the priesthood and religious life.
Sister Martha Gomez, Delegate for Consecrated Life in our diocese, calls all the faithful in WV to pray every week or every day for vocations, as the diocese focuses May 13, 2025, to May 13, 2026, for our Rosary Crusade for Vocations for WV.
“Be certain that behind and before every single vocation is the beautiful prayer of someone: a grandmother, a grandfather, a mother, a father, a faith community…. Vocations are born in prayer,” she said. “When you say your Rosary, the angels rejoice, the Blessed Trinity delights in it, my Son finds joy in it too, and I myself am happier than you can possibly guess.” – Mary
Editor’s note: art is from Faith Art Creation – https://www.etsy.com/shop/FaithArtCreation
