Servers assist at eucharistic adoration at O’Gorman High School. Photo courtesy of Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools.
By Casey Bassett
Our Catholic schools are places where children can learn and grow in an environment that’s saturated in the richness of our faith. The goal is that students grow in everything from arithmetic to fine arts with Christ centered within the discipline as both the beginning and end.
Within this Christ-centered environment comes the opportunity to support one of Bishop DeGrood’s most prominent priorities for the diocese: Creating a culture of vocations. God continues to call young men to the priesthood and young men and women to the religious life. We can’t create new vocations by our own power, but we can create a culture where young men and women are open to hearing and discerning God’s call in their lives.
While we typically associate this culture with a youth’s experiences at home and at church, schools and teachers play an integral role. Father Tony Klein, chaplain for Bishop O’Gorman High School and vocations advocate for the diocese, highlights the importance teachers and mentors play.
“As much as the Church talks about the family being the primary educators, it doesn’t mean that they are the only educators,” said Father Klein. “Most kids go through a phase where they care less what Mom and Dad think and more what other peers and role models think. When someone, such as a teacher, a coach, a director or mentor of some sort, recognizes something in their students, those students often receive it differently than they do from their parents.”
Visible priests and religious
One of the crucial pieces of building a culture of vocations is allowing our youth to encounter and interact with holy priests and religious during their daily activities.
“In a very digital age, human contact is crucial, and Bishop understands that when it comes to vocations,” Father Klein said. “He desires the children in our schools to see priests and religious more often.”
Having priests and religious orders like the Pro Ecclesia Sancta sisters be visible and available in schools fulfills the Bishop’s desire for personal connection. But there’s a deeper layer of witness that teachers themselves play in being witnesses of vocations for students.
“I believe that my primary role in fostering a culture of vocations is through personal witness,” said Rochelle Lauret, theology teacher at Bishop O’Gorman High School. “By faithfully living my vocation of marriage alongside my ministry as a theology teacher, I am able to model for students what a lifelong covenant looks like in practice. While many may ultimately be called to marriage, I strive not to limit their vision or presume their path. Instead, I encourage openness to God’s call in whatever form it may take, helping students recognize that each vocation is a meaningful and life-giving response to that call.”
Discernment in the classroom
In addition to being a personal witness, Rochelle implements lessons on vocations in her classes.
“In my sacraments class, which I teach to juniors, we take time during the Holy Orders and marriage units to also explore the single life and religious life,” said Rochelle. “Students first learn what a vocation is and then engage in a lesson on discernment. We discuss each of the four vocations, how they differ from a career or job, and how they complement one another within the life of the Church.”
For Rochelle, the lessons are a starting point for a deeper conversation and reflection.
“To help students approach this topic personally rather than as something to consider only in the distant future, I incorporate three exercises in which they complete questionnaires reflecting on their personalities, desires and qualities as they relate to each vocation. These activities encourage thoughtful self-reflection and invite students to begin discerning God’s call in their lives, even now.”
Where openness starts
One of the most consistent activities that ordained men point to as helping kickstart their openness to God’s call is altar serving. Father Klein pointed out that being near the altar during the holy sacrifice of the Mass has a deep effect on young men serving. More importantly, however, is the impression that reverent altar servers have on young men attending Mass.
“At our school Masses, we have tried to elevate the liturgy in a number of ways, but one of them is to have altar servers who are reverent, competent and prayerful,” said Father Klein. “The reverence of these servers has made it a more attractive thing to many, which has kindled in others a spark of the vocational question: ‘God, what are you asking of me.’”
Father Klein also implements some forgotten customs, such as a candlelight Mass for Candlemas and First Friday devotions. He explains that for students, these can be profound moments of encounter with the beauty and mystery of the Church.
When asked about what the future holds for vocations in our schools, Father Klein was optimistic that more emphasis will continue to be placed on personal encounters.
“It would be great to have more sisters!” said Father Klein. “In addition to serving at the altar, priests can often come through a religious sister encouraging them at a young age. Eventually, it would also be great to have chaplains at all of our schools, and possibly as teachers and administrators if they have the proper gifts. Students spend much of their time at school, and to have priests and religious present at all creates a mindset that priests and sisters are a part of the world and a part of their lives.”
Encounter: The key to culture
A strong culture of vocations in our diocese starts with an encounter. Discernment begins when young people encounter vocations lived out, whether it’s the priesthood, religious or married life. It begins when the classroom is transformed into a place where students can encounter who they are in the light of God’s love and will. Catholic schools are places where these encounters can and do happen daily.
