Moving Together

Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Together, this week we have celebrated the election of a new Pope, Leo XIV and we have continued to give thanks for the life of Pope Francis, his predecessor. Both have something to say to us regarding Sunday’s celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations held on Good Shepherd Sunday.

Written just before his death, Pope Francis wrote his Message for the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations in which he reiterates that each and every one of us is called in a particular way through the God who is Love to live lives of love. He wrote: “A vocation is a precious gift that God sows in our heart, a call to leave ourselves behind and embark on a journey of love and service. Every vocation within the Church, whether lay, ordained or consecrated, is a sign of hope that God has given for this world”

““move forward, without fear, together, hand in hand with God and with one another! We are followers of Christ. Christ goes before us.””

— Pope Leo XIV

In his first public words, Pope Leo speaks of that same universal call, from “the God who loves us all unconditionally.” He reminds us to “move forward, without fear, together, hand in hand with God and with one another! We are followers of Christ. Christ goes before us.” The Christ who goes before us is the Good Shepherd who gives his life for each one of us. It is precisely from such self-giving love that we are chosen, called and affirmed in life and in our faith and service.  

As we go forward in hope and in the integrity of our vocations we strengthen one another. Each vocation faithfully lived out becomes gift in helping us hear God’s call anew each day, we become witnesses to one another, a revelation of fidelity in the whole mosaic of God’s design – each, a part of the whole. Pope Francis left us a reminder that “a vocation is never a treasure stored away in the heart; rather it grows and is strengthened within a community that believes, loves and hopes. No one can respond to God’s call alone, for all of us need the prayers and support of our brothers and sisters.”

So, today, on the World Day of Prayer for Vocations – first instituted in the Church in 1964, we pray for one another for our fidelity to that way of life to which Love calls us.  We also remember, in a special way, to pray for an increase in vocations to religious life and priesthood. We pray that the Good Shepherd will seek out many who will respond with joy to God’s call in a world hungry for hope.

-Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ

Image: Jaka Škrlep/Anna Church/ Unsplash

Sheep, Really!

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

- John 10:27

During my twenty-two years (1981-2003) in Yellowknife I had the opportunity to engage in prison ministry at the Yellowknife Correctional Facility. As part of the Catholic parish’s outreach, I partnered with fellow parishioners to conduct weekly worship services in the local men’s unit.

My ministry among these small groups of inmates began when invited by one of the parishioners engaged in this ministry to accompany her to share the “Readers Digest version” of the reflection I had given at the weekend masses. At that time, I was one of the parishioners mandated by Bishop Croteau to break Open the Word for the congregation, since as is frequently the case in the North, we were for a period without a parish priest. My yes to this woman’s invitation began a whole new fulfilling ministry for me.

The reading above sparks my memory of my efforts to connect the words of scripture passages to the life experience of the northern men I was among.

On one particular occasion in thinking ahead to my next visit to the jail where the reading would focus on Jesus as shepherd, I questioned myself on what approach to take. Even though, Professor Google informs me that sheep are a traditional image mentioned in the Bible more than 500 times. I knew sheep and their habits were unfamiliar to Northerners.

Image: Unsplash/Simon Smith

It struck me that it would be more meaningful to the men to link Jesus’ message as Shepherd to an invite to share their knowledge and experience on the relationship between a musher and his sled dogs. Skis, snowshoes, and sleds dogs were the modes of transportation in the North for centuries before the invention of snowmobiles in the 20th century.

During our reflection time the message of the scripture came alive.

The men easily shared about the bond which develops between a musher and his dogs. They mentioned how the musher names, knows, and understands each of his individual dogs. The dogs are attuned to his voice and take his lead. The dogs are responsive to the guidance of his calls of “mush” “gee” or “haw”. That is: Let’s go! Turn right. Turn left.

Though we are neither sheep nor sleds dogs however we too are called upon to hear God’s voice and follow where we are led.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj

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Header Image: Unsplash/Tanner Yould