Cathedral parish sponsors 'Vittles' and other activities to promote vocations

By Mary Ann Young

Vittles for Vocations is an innovative way Cathedral of St. Joseph parishioners are promoting vocations. A project of the Cathedral of St. Joseph parish vocation committee, Vittles for Vocations involves a coffee bar on the front driveway of the Cathedral, serving an assortment of "pastries for priests," "bagels for brothers," "stollen for sisters," "danish for deacons," "muffins for marrieds" and "sweet rolls for singles" - covering all the vocations to which God calls His people.

Committee members developed Vittles for Vocations while discussing ways to increase attention and openness to vocations among their fellow parishioners. Vittles is held one or two weekends a year. The canopy tents in front of church, with signs posted listing the various "vittles" and vocations, always attract curiosity as parishioners leave after Mass.

There is no charge for the refreshments, but donations are welcome. Voluntary contributions consistently exceed the cost of the items provided. The proceeds go to the parish budget, which funds the committee's budget.

For the first few Vittles events, organizers sought home-baked donations but later switched to purchasing all refreshments. They occasionally serve funnel cakes - a labor-intensive but popular addition to the menu. In addition to coffee, they provide milk and juice or fruit punch.

Vocation committee members also distribute prayer cards and ask parishioners to sign up to take a Vocation Crucifix into their home to pray five minutes a day for vocations. The parish's next Vittles for Vocations is scheduled for the weekend of May 30-31.

The committee has sponsored other activities, including: an annual trip for eighth-graders to visit a seminary and convent; "Snacks for Seminarians," involving the collection of various snack items, packing them into goodie bags and delivering them to all seminarians at Conception Seminary and Kenrick/Glennon Seminary; having a volunteer send cards for birthdays and other special occasions to all seminarians of the diocese; promoting "Rosaries for Priests"; and coordinating First Friday Holy Hour for Vocations and other vocation awareness activities for the school and parish.

For vocation-related events, committee members hang a large banner across the front of the Cathedral, and set up a "wall of the called" - a wooden display of photos and biographies of all priests and religious brothers and sisters from the parish. In addition, they assist with several events held at the Cathedral campus, including the diocesan Sixth Grade Vocation Day, Confirmation Reflection Days for Vocations, and the Mothers Tea for Vocations. They have also cooked and served a spaghetti dinner for the CHRISTpower teen service retreat.

The latest idea is to have a volunteer family send a note of congratulations and prayer with a Holy Family holy card to the parents of each newly baptized baby in the parish. Another volunteer sends a card to the priest and sister the parish is praying for each week, as listed in the parish bulletin.

This spring, the committee sponsored a showing of the movie "Fireproof" in support of the vocation of marriage, and had a table prayer card printed for all families of the parish, which included prayers for vocations. The table prayer card will be used in lieu of the Vocation Crucifix program for the spring and summer.

Ms. Young, is chair of the Cathedral of St. Joseph parish vocation committee.