Information on the variety of religious communites for women in and around Central Ohio can be found here:
Religious Women - Diocese of Columbus
Questions concerning vocations for men and women living in the Diocese of Columbus can be found here:
vocations@columbuscatholic.org
Bishop Robert Barron: How Should I Discern the Priesthood
Fr. Mike Schmitz: Discernment 101
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Discernment Tools
Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV:
Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making
Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living
Fr. Michael Scalan, TOR
What Does God Want? A Practical Guide to Making Decisions
The calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter....
God has created the human person to love and serve him; the fulfillment of this vocation is eternal happiness. Christ calls the faithful to the perfection of holiness. The vocation of the laity consists in seeking the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will.
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 scheduled for October 17, 2022, in Kulp Hall.
We are going to introduce a “Traveling Crucifix for Vocations” program at St. Margaret of Cortona. An individual, couple, or family may receive the crucifix to take home with them for 2 weeks. With the constant visual reminder of a prominently placed crucifix that they have taken home from Church, they are asked to pray every day for vocations while writing down their experiences in prayer. Any heartfelt prayer for vocations will be heard by God and do much good in helping them, or someone, somewhere, discern their call to a religious vocation. At the end of 2 weeks, you will return the crucifix, either to the parish office or to Father Jeff before Mass.
Our crucifix will travel in an attractive box. The crucifix in on a stand and is a nice size that can easily be placed in your home, even in a person’s room if your son or daughter would like to pray alone with Jesus and the crucifix. While the crucifix must be returned at the end of 2 weeks, your written reflections are yours to keep. Father Jeff welcomes discussing your experience with you if you would like. Interested parishioners should speak with Father Jeff or contact the parish office at 614-279-1690.
Lord, 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.
- Vocations
- Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church (Type in name of book.)
- Hearing, Responding to the Call to Vocation (Go to search)
- Vocation Tree
- What Is a Vocation?
- Do I Have a Vocation? - CatholicMatch
- United States Conference of Secular Institutes
- Glossary of Vocation Terms
- Vocation Match (Truequest)
- Vocations and Prayer
- Prayers for Vocations prayerist.com/prayer/vocations
- Vocation Videos and More USCCB
- National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC)
- Lesson Plan: Universal Call to Holiness - USCCB
- Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate(CARA)
- A Nun's Life Ministry
- Catholic Volunteer Network
- Catholic Vocation Books
- World Day of Prayer for Vocations