Information for men and women living in the Diocese of Columbus who are considering the religious life can be found here:
SeekHoliness.com

Information on the variety of religious communites for women in and around Central Ohio can be found here:
Religious Women - Diocese of Columbus

Helpful links about listening to the call of God in your life

Bishop Robert Barron: How Should I Discern the Priesthood

Fr. Mike Schmitz: Discernment 101

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Discernment Tools
 

The Modern Catholic Dictionary defines VOCATION as a call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness. The Second Vatican Council made it plain that there is a "Universal call to holiness in the Church." To most of us this means becoming a priest or a nun, but this "Universal Call" really means that all men and women are called to holiness. Jesus calls us as his disciples to a new way of life. To achieve or even attempt holiness in the modern world can seem futile, and yet the way of attaining holiness and perfection of charity, in general, can be that:

• We use our strengths and talents as a gift from Christ.
• We should follow Christ and become like him, seeking the Father's will in all things, the glory of God and the good of our neighbor.
• We should use our personal gifts and fulfill our duties in the spirit of faith working through love.
• We should receive all things with faith from the hand of the heavenly Father.

Jesus does not call us as nameless people in a faceless crowd. He calls individually, by name. To serve the Church as a priest, deacon, religious sister, or lay minister is indeed a humbling honor, which no one merits, but which Our Lord chooses for us. We must therefore pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into His vineyard, and we should always pray for vocations to serve the Church in the priesthood and the religious life.  If you are interested in serving Our Lord in this way, please notify Father Jeff Rimelspach here at Saint Margaret of Cortona at 614-279-1690, or jrimelspach@msn.com, for information and guidance.

We are a small group of parishioners who gather in support of vocations, as well as working toward bringing back or inviting new people to the Church.  We meet three to four times a year to plan a special prayer service, or simple social to pray for and share information concerning vocations and hospitality for anyone interested in pursuing this special calling.  Our next meeting is May 9th at 7 PM in the lower level of the rectory.  Please use the door to the right of the garage door for entrance.

In addition, a one-hour, special time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to pray for vocations will be held after the 4 PM Mass on May 14th and May 15th following the 10:30 AM Mass.  We hope to see you there.

You call us all by name to follow your path. You always bless your Church and guide your followers to become leaders who think of others before themselves. Mold us in the image of your Son, to respond to your call as Sisters, Priests, Brothers, Deacons, and Lay servants of the Gospel. Embolden us all to grow in you, and allow this knowledge to open our hearts, minds, and souls to your enduring call.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.