Pastoral Letter, No. 2, Series of 2008 ( A Pastoral Letter on Vocations)

October 1, 2008

TO: Brother Priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, the Lay Faithful in the Diocese of Laoag

RE: Diocesan Vocation Months (October-November 2008)

To be read in all masses on October 5

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in Christ!

Our Lord Jesus Christ, during his preaching in Galilee, while he went about the cities and villages was moved to compassion for the people because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Mt 9, 36). From this look of love, flowed the invitation to his disciples: PRAY therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9, 38).

Today as ever, we know that this invitation of our Lord remains constant and becomes even a stronger call to every baptized Christian. Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, in his message for the 45th World youth Day of Prayer for Vocations chose the theme: “Vocations at the Service of the Church-Mission” in which he highlighted the statement: “Although every disciple of Christ, as far in him lies, has the duty of spreading the faith, Christ the Lord always calls whoever he will from among the members of his disciples, to be with him and to be sent by him to preach to the nations (AG#23).

We all need to pray for Vocations and above all to encourage and nurture them in our families, parish communities and schools so that there will never be a lack of those who preach the Gospel. I, therefore, encourage every parish and every school to cooperate in the work of promoting vocations within the Months of October and November.

During these months, our diocesan Commission on Vocations has lined up a series of activities that would make people especially the young become more aware of this program. Please engage actively in all or at least some of these activities. I have entrusted to Rev. Rey Magus Respicio, the Vocation Director of the Diocese, the task of coordination regarding this matter.

Let us help create a culture of vocations in our diocese, and ask our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Vocations, to help us implore the Lord for the flowering of new apostles who are willing to serve the church.

Yours in Jesus and Mary,

MOST REV. SERGIO L. UTLEG, DD
Bishop of Laoag