National Vocation Awareness Week begins with the celebration of the feast of the Baptism of our Lord on Sunday, January 12. This feast calls us to greater appreciation of the difference our baptismal commitment is meant to make in our lives. As married and single, priests, sisters, brothers, and members of the consecrated life, and as young Catholic Christians, we are each called to great holiness and thus to witness to Christ’s love in the world.

We are the ‘Chosen Ones’ in whom our God takes delight. It is up to each one of us and all of us together to bring justice and light to the places where these are missing, to bring sight to the blind and to free those imprisoned in any way. It is also up to us to support the call our God issues to the young members of our faith community as they search for answers about what it is that God is asking of them. What can we do in our homes that will help our children and youth come to know God’s call?

Here are a few simple, effective, and easy-to-do steps that parents can take to support their children’s vocational life, especially a call to be a priest, sister or brother:

- Speak positively about priests, sisters and brothers.

- Encourage and invite your children to consider a church vocation.

- Pray whenever the opportunity is presented (before meals or a designated time together).

- Read and pray stories from the Bible. Make the Bible available to family members and create a dignified space for it in your home.

- Support youth ministry and encourage your children to attend parish and diocesan youth ministry events.

- Talk about vocations. Speak to your children about what vocations are and how they are lived today.

- Be open to all vocations. Speak to your children about the vocations of priesthood and the consecrated life as a viable lifestyle that is worthwhile living.

- Teach by example. Volunteer your services in your parish community. Lead by example and model what it means to extend yourself by helping others.

- Invite a priest or religious to your home for supper.

Take the time to pray for, to invite, to encourage, and to nurture vocations in your home and in your parish.