Throughout the world this weekend, the Church dedicates this weekend, Good Shepherd Sunday, as a world day to pray for vocations. As the good shepherd lays down his very life for his sheep, a vocation to the priesthood and religious life is much the same. An individual when answering a call (vocation) in vowed religious life or ordained for ministry as a priest, is called to lay down their life entirely for the work of Jesus Christ and his Church. Growing up as a young boy, I remember wanting nothing more than to become a priest. My vocation started somewhere in second grade and continued to become stronger. Eventually, that call grew and became clear. In the ninth grade I entered the minor seminary for High School. I continued on at Borromeo Seminary College, then 5 years of graduate school at St. Mary’s Major Seminary on Ansel Rd. I was ordained in 1988. Priesthood is a wonderful life that brings untold joy each and everyday of my life. I have many of you here to thank for continuing those days and look forward to many more to come with God’s blessing. As a parish, we need to pray for vocations. I ask that you please keep this prayer below somewhere in your home or at work. Pray with me that more young men and women will answer God’s call to vowed and ordained ministry. He may even be calling you! Fr. Roach
