Dinner with the Archbishop: This annual vocation program has grown to host over 400 guests from 13 counties from all around the Archdiocese of Louisville. A vocation awareness event, this program includes prayer, vocation speakers, dinner and “Desserts and Displays”, an opportunity for the adult sponsors to mingle and enjoy dessert while their student guests visit the display booths and learn more about religious vocations from diocesan priests and vowed men and women religious communities.

Vocation Books: The Vocations Office has published two books for teachers, parents, and young persons interested in learning more about vocations. These books are available on the archdiocesan vocation website (http://www.archlou.org/archlou/vocationoffice); in the library of each Catholic elementary and high school; and through the Media Center in the Flaget Center. Each book contains more than 100 pages filled with Scriptures, quotes, and photos of ordained ministers serving in the Archdiocese of Louisville.

WHAT’S IN YOUR LIBRARY? Do you have a vocation section? Make a vocation display during vocation awareness month of January or other patron saint celebrations of your particular parish. Encourage older students to research their patron saint and share with class.

• Fishers of Men DVD
• Jesus Calls Women DVD
• You Could Make a Difference/Tu Puedes Hacer la Diferencia DVD
• Archdiocese of Louisville DVD “The Call” about diocesan priesthood.
• NCCV Vocation Catalog - Discernment Materials, Prayer Cards, Holy Hours for Vocations
• USCCB www.foryourvocation.org – USCCB endorsed website for discerners, youth leaders, parents and educators

Catechist Certification Program: Using the books described above, credit hours can be earned and in-service program offered to faculty, youth ministers, catechists, and parents. This curriculum is designed to help teachers present the concept of vocation or call to students of all ages. It also encourages integration of the vocation concept, i.e. field trips, essay contests, research projects, and school liturgy planning. The resources include information on diocesan priesthood, religious life, and full-time lay ministry in the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Everybody Has One! How to Teach Vocations in the Classroom: Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation office presents this class which will guide you through vocation books, which are designed for use in our schools, parishes and homes. The books offer step-by-step lesson plans, discussion questions, and are full of Scripture passages, photographs and quotes. Authored by Fr. Ron Knott, complimentary books will be provided to all participants.

This curriculum is designed to help teachers present the concept of vocation or call to students of all ages, with focus on diocesan priesthood and religious life in the Archdiocese of Louisville, though all vocations are topics of discussion. We view “Fishers of Men” video and have numerous media resources available. This class is open to anyone interested in promoting vocations and is catechist certified 4.0 hours. For more information, contact the Vocation Office.

Catechist Certification Faculty In-Service - Create a Culture of Vocations: Specifically designed for teachers and religion educators, this 2.5 catechist certification is an experience of prayer, identifying our God-given talents, listening to vocation speakers and identifying their God-given talents, and talking about ways to utilize these exercises with students of different ages. We are all called by our Baptism to follow Jesus Christ, and this brief class provides some hands on ways to emphasize that with your fellow teachers and staff, and with parents and students also. Ending with resource sheets, the Vocation Office provides resources for your school library which include multicultural resources. For more information, contact the Vocation Office.

Classroom Visits: Members of the Planting Seeds Committee make classroom visits to Catholic schools and religious education programs to talk about religious vocations. They provide resources to the students and teachers. Each year, thousands of students receive these presentations. Campus Ministry: The Vocation Office works in conjunction with high school and college campus ministers, offering vocation speakers throughout the academic year, including the “Busy Persons’ Retreat” on college campuses. Campus ministers serve on the Planting Seeds Committee with the Vocation Office.

KAIROS DAY: Vocation Awareness Program for sixth grade students. Various religious community members and diocesan priests offer short sessions, and students rotate from classroom to classroom. Hosted at St. Agnes in 2010, five area Catholic elementary schools participated in the program at St. Agnes. It was a great opportunity for the students and teachers to learn more about religious life and hear vocation stories from men and women who live out their calls in various ways – from apostolic to cloistered life.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations: Parishes receive liturgical resources, prayer services, prayer cards, and other items they may utilize within the parish/school environment for this annual observation.

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life: Each February a Mass is celebrated by the Archbishop and a reception given in honor of the religious community members serving or residing in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Parishes are encouraged to acknowledge and remember in the weekly petitions religious community members who serve or reside in their parishes and schools.