Parents

I hope that you will find the answers to some of your question or concerns on these pages. If you need additional information, just e-mail to me your specific questions.

Priesthood and religious life is an awesome call from God to serve his people. Not only do children need generous hearts to respond to God's call, but parents need that same generosity to support their children in their call.

The Vocation within a Vocation
The vocation to be the Mom and Dad of a Priest or Religious

We celebrate the vocation of marriage and parenthood with special days during the year. We lift up the vocation of fatherhood on Father's Day. We honor and highlight the vocation of motherhood on Mother's Day. But think of this: for some parents, they are called by God and have as part of their mission on earth to be the Mom and Dad of a priest or religious. Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, were called by God to be his Mom and Dad. The parents of Mary were called by God to be the mom and dad of the woman all generations have called blessed. This call to be the mom and dad of a priest, deacon, or religious, is as sure and certain as the call to marriage and to have children.

2001 Survey of Des Moines Diocese Priests can put Parents' Fears to Rest

A big fear that parents have when it comes to speaking to a son about the priesthood is this: Many parents have a fear that the priesthood will not be a happy and fulfilling life. A recent survey of the Des Moines Diocese shows just the opposite is true.

Parents worry: "I want my son to be fulfilled." 98% of our priests describe priesthood as life-giving.

Parents worry: "I don't want my son to be lonely." 91% of our priest report close friendships. 96% say relationships with married couples is vital.

Parents worry: "I want my son to like his work." 100% of our priest say presiding at Eucharist is a great privilege. 98% love to preach. 100% find tending to the sick to be a profound experience.

Parents worry: "I want my son to be a man of prayer." 91% say praying over the scriptures each day is important.

Parents worry: "I don't want my son to regret his decision." 94% say they would recommend priesthood to a young man. 93% say they want to help foster vocations.

If Jesus calls your son to the priesthood, he will reward him for giving his life in this service. "Be Not Afraid"

When we Pray for Vocations
We are Praying for Parents
We pray... that God will help these parents make a home where God is first, where being somebody is valued more than having something, where learning how to live is more important than making a living.

...for these parents that they see God's call of their children to His service as a sign of His love for them.

...that these parents will affirm and rejoice in their son or daughter who is thinking about priesthood or religious life.

"I am the Lord's servant," said Mary. "May it happen according to your word." Luke 1:38

A word from the Parents of Priests and Religious
God calls everyone of us to a specific vocation in life. This call is built into the very fiber of our talents and abilities. Discovering that call and following it is our personal key to the mission God gave us and the blessing that we are to be to ourselves and others. The traditional ways of understanding God's call have been the call into marriage, priesthood, diaconate, vowed religious life, and the single life.

Our family considers it a pure joy that we are the mom and dad of two Catholic priests, Father Dan and Father Jim. We are very humbled by that great blessing in our lives and the blessings that Father Dan and Father Jim will bring to the families in diocese. -Bob & Marie Kirby

Our son, Albert, was ordained in 1975. Father Albert has brought a new dimension to our family life. He has brought us great joy. Father Al is a favorite of his nieces and nephews. His Benedictine family is our family. -Ruth Bruecken

Parent Letter to Son/Daughter (Written by Fr. John Acrea) Cut out and Post on Refrigerator!

Dear Son / Daughter:

As you think about your future and the many different directions you could take in your life, Mom and Dad would like to say a few words. We believe that God calls each and every one of us to certain vocations, marriage, and priesthood-religious life, and single life. We trust that God will give you help to find the way that is his calling for you.

We haven't said it but we want to say it now: We would be thrilled to have you consider a life of dedication to God in a church vocation. It would be an honor for us to have you dedicate your life to serving Jesus Christ. We promise to support you and to pray for you if you answer God's call. If anyone calls you "Sister", they are our family too. If anyone calls you "Father", they are our grandchildren too.

We might have been too strong in pushing you to make money, to get the American dream, to keep the family name going. But we know in our deepest heart that God will bless you and keep you if you but follow him. Go for the dream God has for you. It is the only one that counts.