Vocations

What Can I Do To Foster Vocations?

Pray	Say the prayer for vocations often. Pray especially for the priests, sisters, deacons, seminarians and candidates on this page.

Identify Parishoners Who May Have A Calling	Be alert to the possibility that someone you know may be a candidate for the religious life. It's surprising how many more people will consider a vocation to the religious life if they are only asked.

Discuss Openly The Religious Life With Your Children

Give the religious life equal time with other vocation options and let your children know that it's OK to choose the religious life. Many young people don't consider the religious life because they are automatically steered in other directions. Those in a position to influence children often don't present the religious life as a viable option.

What Can I Do To Support And Affirm Priests And Religious We Already Have?

Let Them Know How Much You Appreciate Them	Establish strong relationships with our priests and religious. Let them know you are there to help them in whatever way you can. Send them cards and letters of appreciation on the anniversary dates of their ordination or profession. Be sure to include them in events and meetings.

Pray For Them

We all have benefited from the prayers of others. Our priests and religious welcome our prayers of support.

Could God Be Calling Me?

How often in your life have you dreamed about helping others? How many times have you wondered if there is more fulfilling work you could be doing? How often have you achieved a goal you set for yourself and still found something lacking? Have you considered God may be calling you to the religious life?

If you think you might have a call to the religious life contact one of the priests in the parish. They will be happy to meet with you and help you discern if the religious life is for you.

To explore more vocation information visit the www.10000vocations.org

Pictured Below Are Persons Consecrated To Religious Life Or In Formation Who Have Strong Ties To St. Raphael's Parish


Father Gregory Schissel S.J. Creighton University	Father Dennis Dempsey Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis


Father Daniel Pattee, T.O.R. Franciscan University of Stubenville, Ohio	Father Joe Fink Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis


Father Joel Cycenas Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis	Father Robert Hart Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis


Sister Mary John Schik Carmelite Sisters of The Most Sacred Heart	Sister Christina Marie Cheney of the Holy Eucharist Carmelite Monestary of The Sacred Heart, Santa Fe, NM


Rev. Mr. Robert Bramwell Permanent Deacon Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis	Mr. Bruce Bowen Permanent Deacon Candidate Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis


Seminarian Mark Joppa Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis	Father Kevin Magner Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis


Brother Matthew Schmitz Legionaries of Christ Son of Joseph and Jean Schmitz	Brother Michael Williams Legionaries of Christ

Brother Jacob Schmitz Legionaries of Christ Son of Stephen and Carrie Schmitz

Not Pictured

Sister Mary Eucharista Kemmetmueller, Sisters of Charity, Mother of the Church

Last Modified 05/22/06