National Vocation Awareness Week was celebrated January 7-14, 2007, throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville. The Vocation Office would like to thank all the priests, sisters, educators and support staff for the many prayer services, special vocation talks and other vocation efforts coordinated in support of the celebration of National Vocation Awareness Week!

Ministry Installation
A Celebration of Minor Ministries was held January 31 at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. Congratulations to Matthew Hardesty, scheduled to receive the ministry of Acolyte. Matthew has served pastoral time or resided at the parishes of Saint Jerome, Saint Mary in Hillview and Saint Rita.

World Day of Consecrated Life - February 4, 2007
In response to the Holy Father’s call, we celebrate a special observance of consecrated life each year. This event is held in conjunction with the annual Jubilee Mass for Religious of the Archdiocese.

The term “consecrated life” applies to traditional religious – monks, friars, sisters, nuns and brothers. It now also includes new forms of consecrated life, encouraged by Vatican II, such as hermits and consecrated virgins.

Please come to the Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Sunday, February 4, at 2 p.m. to honor those who have pledged their lives to Jesus Christ through vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and who have dedicated themselves to God in service to the church. Archbishop Thomas Kelly will celebrate this Mass, and we will recognize those religious community members who have provided years of service to the people of the Archdiocese of Louisville. A dessert reception will follow.

Women in Discernment – Monthly Meetings
We welcome women in discernment age 18 and older. We also welcome women interested in learning more about religious community life in the Archdiocese of Louisville. The group gathers the last Sunday of each month. We begin with brief prayer at 4 pm and use the Gospel of the day as the theme, discussing discernment issues and resources, community history and charisms. We meet on Bellarmine Campus in the Fireplace Room of Horrigan Hall. For those who are interested, Mass follows at 6 p.m. on campus at Our Lady of the Woods Chapel. Let us journey together!

For more information, contact the Vocation Office at 636-0296 or Linda Banker at lbanker@archlou.org. 

Priesthood and Vocations: A Call for Renewal-2006
This document is available online at www.archlou.org on the vocation web page. For anyone interested in vocation awareness, this is an excellent tool to utilize in parishes and schools for background, history and suggestions of simple, yet powerful, ways to promote vocations in your environment. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact the Vocation Office at 636-0296.

Mount Saint Francis Retreat Center
Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, close with Benediction
7-8 p.m. - second Monday of the month

Our Lady of Lourdes
Each Tuesday 6:30 p.m. rosary for all priests

First Tuesday of the month
6:30 rosary for all priests
7-8 p.m. Benediction Service

Saint Martin of Tours
639 South Shelby Street
Eucharistic Adoration
6-7 p.m. - last Monday of the month

Little Sisters of the Poor
St. Joseph Home for the Aged
15 Audubon Plaza Drive
4:30-5:30 p.m. - third Wednesday of the month

St. Thomas Church
870 St. Thomas Lane, Bardstown
Eucharistic Adoration, close with Benediction
8:45 a.m. - second Wednesday of the month