Are you being called?

vocation awareness opportunities offered in diocese

 

The Office of Vocations for the Diocese of New Ulm will again be sponsoring Operation Andrew Dinners and Operation Miryam Dinners in regions throughout the diocese. These dinners serve as an invitation by Bishop John C. Nienstedt to young men and young women who are discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life.

 

Operation Andrew Dinners for young men:

- Regions 1 & 6 - November 22, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Anastasia in Hutchinson, MN;

 

- Regions 2 & 3 - November 29, 2005, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Marshall, MN.

 

- Regions 4 & 5 - December 2, 2005, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar, MN;

 

 

The Operation Andrew Dinners will begin with evening prayer with the Bishop (the Liturgy of the Hours) followed by a dinner. After dinner, participants will participate in a brief program that will include a video about discernment to the priesthood. Priests in attendance will be invited to share their vocation story with the youth and the Bishop will also speak to all present about the priesthood, giving encouragement to continue to discerning God’s call.

 

Operation Andrew Dinners are named after the Apostle St. Andrew, who according to John’s Gospel brings a number of people to Jesus (Simon Peter as well as a young boy before the Multiplication of the Loaves).  It is a reminder that each Catholic has the responsibility to not only pray for vocations, but to support and invite those who may be considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.

 

Operation Miryam Dinners for young women:

- December 5, 2005, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Church of St. James, Dawson. Facilitator: Sr. Vivian Petersen;

 

- April 3, 2006 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Michael in Morgan. Facilitator: Sr. Gladys Meindl.

 

Young women high school age and older who are open to a religious vocation are invited to pray evening prayer and have dinner with Bishop John C. Nienstedt and women religious from the Diocese of New Ulm.

 

Operation Miryam, patterned after Operation Andrew, was developed by the Vocation Office in the Diocese of Austin, Texas, in 1994. Their first event was an invitation to women religious and young women to explore the structure and experience of religious life. The dinners are sponsored by the diocesan Office of Vocations  working in cooperation with representatives of the religious communities serving the Diocese of New Ulm. In focusing on the consecrated life of religious women, it is also supportive of all who are called by God to other expressions of discipleship in the Body of Christ - priests, deacons and laity, both married and single.

 

Anyone interested in attending, or if you know anyone interested in attending an Operation Andrew Dinner or Operation Miryam Dinner, contact your parish pastor or pastoral administrator, or the diocesan Office of Vocations, 1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; (507) 359-2966; email: jmichels@dnu.org.

 

Additional

Vocation Events

 

Vianney Visits - St. John Vianney Seminary (SJV) is welcoming men who are interested in learning more about the seminary or priesthood to come for a visit. They have a formal program November 17-19, 2005 and February 16-18, 2006 for any high school junior or older. Transportation from the Diocese of New Ulm is available by contacting Fr. Todd Petersen, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of New Ulm before November 11, 2005 or February 10, 2006, (507) 359-2966.

 

Sisters of the Living Word weekend retreat for young adult women will be held on November 11-13, 2005 at the Living Word Center in Arlington Heights, IL. The weekend is intended for any single woman, age 18-40, who wants to experience the spirituality and passion for mission that characterizes the Sisters of the Living Word. There is no fee for this retreat. Register by contacting (662) 252-9801; email: glumbs@aol.com.