There are different gifts, but the
same Spirit;
there are different ministries, but the same Lord;
there are different works but the same God
accomplishes all of them in everyone. _1
Corinthians 12:4-6
Detailed information about vocations can be found
here on the Diocese of Rockville Centre website.
Praying for
vocations is the most powerful way to support vocations. A vocation
is a call from the Holy Spirit, a gift from God that is nurtured in
prayer. When we pray for vocations, we lift up to our Father those
men and women who he is calling in a very special way.
Elijah Cup
Prayer Ministry
St. Kilian Parish Prays for Vocations
All
parishioners are invited to pray for vocations and to participate in St. Kilian’s prayer ministry in which we use the Elijah Cup. The
concept of the Elijah Cup is taken from the biblical story of The
Prophet Elijah as he interacts with the Widow of Zarephath in 1Kings
17:8-15. Elijah encourages the Widow to trust in God and rely on His
promises, and their physical needs were met abundantly. The Church
reminds us that it is the responsibility and privilege of the laity
to pray for increased vocations to the Priesthood and Religious
Life; we do so in confidence and trust. If we pray with the faith of
the widow of Zarephath, our cup will never run dry! We will always
have priests to bring us Jesus in the Eucharist.
The Elijah Cup is a consecrated chalice that will be used by the
celebrant at Mass. After purifying the cup, the priest will present
it to the scheduled family, individual or couple who will take the
cup home and put it in a place of honor. The purpose of the Elijah
Cup is only to be used as a focal point for prayer in the home. Each
day for a week, as the family gathers (morning, evening or at
meals),
they pray for an increase and perseverance of vocations. The
following Sunday, they return the Elijah Cup with the gifts of bread
and wine at the Offertory.
A prayer journal also travels with the Elijah Cup. In it, those who
host the cup can enter a thought, prayer, Scripture verse or
experience. In time, this diary will become a spiritual journal for
the Parish.
Email
Family Ministry
if you are interested in being a host
family for the Elijah cup.
(With thanks to
the Serra Atlanta
Organization, Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia
for organizing this program to foster vocations and for sharing it
with our parish.)
Prayer for Vocations
Almighty God ~ you are the
Lord of the Harvest; we petition you as you have told us, to ask
for more laborers to serve in the vineyard of your Church. You
remind us that the harvest is rich and the laborers are few. We
ask that your Spirit of generosity will inspire young men and
women to seriously consider the Priesthood and Religious Life.
Help us all to be instruments of your love who encourage and
support vocations to serve your Church in the future. We ask
this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Additional Vocation Prayers