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While vocations promotion is every Catholic's duty, the parish needs to shoulder the responsibility for reminding its members
that vocations exist, and parishioners quite possibly have a calling to Service.
Priesthood vocations are generated by the parish priest's speaking of such to the young men. (We ask that widowers be
included). Parish vocations committees host events such as 40 Hours for Vocations; other devotions and vocational speakers.
Gemma started the vocations committee at her parish in St. Joseph, Missouri, at the behest of the diocesan vocations director.
He was impressed with her vocations work in what was then known as the Society of Our Lady of the Cloister (now known as
the ACMM Parish Workers Ministry of Our Lady of the Cloister). Each committee member came with their own ideas. Gemma then
encouraged each person to make their ideas come to life.
Among these plans were the 40 Hours Adoration for Vocations; a local sister coming to speak at Masses; a rack of vocational
brochures from different communities (cloistered and active); and a nun run to St. Louis that, unfortunately, did not materialize.
The parish tract rack was quickly utilized, with one committee member making a sign stating, "Vocation Reading."
Gemma noticed a female parishioner taking interest in a Franciscan community one Sunday afterward.
Gemma's family relocated almost immediately to North Carolina due to her husband's job. The vocation work has been primarily
online since then. Some packages of "prelims" -- preliminary information brochures -- were mailed out in the years
before the family gained internet access.
The link below is basically the same information in a booklet, published by Conception Abbey, which Gemma had received
from the diocesan vocations director.
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