Hundreds of 7th Grade boys and girls from across the Diocese of Lansing gathered in the Michigan capital upon the Feast of Pope Saint John Paul II, 22 October, to prayerfully discern the vocation in life to which they are being called by Jesus Christ.
“How wonderfully appropriate that we meet and pray, today, under the heavenly patronage of Pope Saint John Paul the Great who continually called upon young people to “launch out into the deep” in response to the call of the Good Lord in their lives,” said Dawn Hausmann, Diocesan Director of Consecrated Vocations and organizer of today’s events.
The day began with Holy Mass offered by Bishop Boyea in St Mary Cathedral. Following the sacred liturgy, the boys gathered in the adjacent Diocesan Center for a presentation on the vocation to the Holy Priesthood led by Fr. John Whitlock, Diocesan Director for Vocations, and a presentation on Holy Matrimony led by Deacon Randy Desrochers. Meanwhile, the girls gathered in the Cathedral Parish Hall next door for a similar presentation on marriage from Jenny Ingles as well as talks on the Religious and Consecrated Life led by religious sisters from various of the congregations who have a presence within the Diocese of Lansing. Not surprisingly, the children were brimming with questions for all those making presentations.
“I would like to thank Bishop Boyea and the various school chaplains for offering the Mass, and to all our guests who generously gave of their time to talk with our young people, and to all the teachers present for bringing their Grade 7 to the Cathedral” said Dawn,
“Most importantly, though, I would like to thank all the young people who so enthusiastically participated in today’s event – they can be assured of our prayers as they, step by step, begin to respond to the call of Christ in their youthful lives.”
Pope St. John Paul II, pray for them, pray for us.
