Now here’s a parish living up to its duty to provide for itself. One of the reasons for parish closings in Boston is a decline in the number of priests. Others have made the observation that if only every priest encouraged a single vocation in his lifetime, then the ranks would remain somewhat steady (barring those who leave the priesthood for whatever reason or die prematurely). Well, Holy Ghost Parish in Whitman is doing more than its fair share: By next May, three men will have been ordained to the priesthood from the parish over the previous three years. St. Theresa in Roxbury is also listed as the source of an unusual number of vocations.
The Holy Ghost story is unsurprising when I see who the pastor is: Father Bob Reed. I knew Fr. Reed from years ago, as he is a close friend of my brother and his family. In fact, he is my nephew Joseph’s godfather. He is also one fine priest, a dedicated and holy man who has a charismatic and evangelistic zeal. That he would be encouraging many vocations does not surprise me at all, although the current new priests were evidently inspired by previous pastors as well. Well done Fr. Reed.
I’m sure the fact that Holy Ghost has perpetual adoration 24/7 is a factor as well.
Laypeople can encourage vocations as well. When I went to a Mass during which my grandparents’ 50th anniversary was celebrated, the priest giving the homily mentioned how my grandparents helped him see his vocation.
A few years later, three priests volunteered to preside at my grandmother’s funeral. There was pastoral grumbling as to this, but my grandmother did a lot for that church in ways that went beyond money. (Heck, she inspired my grandfather to convert, a tradition that was handed down to my mother and then to me…)
Anyway, well done to this parish. Well done to its pastors, and I’m sure to the congregation.
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration always bears good fruit! Praise God for this parish and for a priest who is devoted to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
Eucharistic Adoration – The answer to everything.
Amen…this is great!!!!
Vocations must be encouraged from childhood through adulthood (second careers).
Vocations can and should be enouraged first from the laity, OUR PARENTS!!!! There are three, by the way….the single life, the married life and the religious life. All three should be fostered.
My home parish has produced more vocations in the past 30 years than any single church I have ever heard of. There are 12 (diocesan vocations) from the parish this year. There have been 50+ (diocesan and religous) in the past 30 years. 30!!!!! St. Agnes must be doing something right.
Kudos to The Church of the Holy Ghost for doing what should be done. Is it a suprise that there is an established prayer for vocations and perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?
It is the latter that the priest must be in love with. Not eros, or filial, but agape.
Thank God.
Cam
A recent survey of recently-ordained clergy reported that the vast majority cited the influence of a priest as decisive in encouraging them to consider a vocation. Unfortunately, few clergy seem to be taking the time and effort to do this. Religious can have an influence as well, as well as the always-essential role of parents.