Vocations Encounter event set for Nov. 5

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
As we approach National Vocations Awareness Week Nov. 2 to 8, several entities brainstormed a new way to encourage diocesan youth to consider a religious vocation.
 
A Vocations Encounter Night for youth in grades seven through twelfth will be held on Nov. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the parish center of St. Mary Church in Lake City, Our Lady of the Plains Parish. All youth are welcome to attend. There is no cost to participate. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The event is sponsored by the diocesan Offices of Vocation and Faith Formation with the assistance of several directors of religious education in the area.
 
“It was a desire of some of the DREs of the diocese for the past couple of years,” explained Father Travis Crotty, director of vocations. “They had hoped to have some kind of a regional vocations event to bring students to.”
 
The vocations director said he will be present at the encounter night along with sisters from the Missionary Benedictines of Norfolk, Nebraska and the School Sisters of Christ the King from Lincoln, Nebraska. Father Ross Caniglia, administrator of Our Lady of the Plains Parish., will also attend.
 
When approached about the idea for a Vocations Encounter Night, Father Crotty said he thought it was a very good idea to offer for diocesan youth.
 “It’s helpful to do a regional event within the diocese that can attract different parish faith formation programs on a Wednesday night,” he pointed out. “To expose young people to religious sisters and younger priests as well is a helpful witness that God is still calling people to these vocations.”
 
Organizers are hopeful that area DREs and faith formation leaders consider bringing students to the encounter night. Participants will have time for discussion with the priests and religious sisters, participate in games, prayer time and a meal.
 
Father Crotty encourages diocesan youth to consider attending the encounter night.
 
“The Vocations Encounter Night is a wonderful opportunity to be open to God’s call by experiencing the witness of young priests and religious sisters. As we continue to grow in our faith, it is important to be open to what God is asking of us – and what God’s plan is for your life,” he said.
 
To register for the event, email Danielle Fennessy of the Faith Formation Office at [email protected] or Michelle Steinbach of the Vocations Office at [email protected].
 
More news and information about discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life in the Diocese of Sioux City is available on the Office of Vocations website: www.siouxcitypriest.org.
 
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