Members of the Catenian Association pray and help in many ways to encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life

ST John Seminary Wonersh

St John's Seminary was established in 1891 to train students for the priesthood. While it serves mainly dioceses of the South of England, it also provides formation for students from dioceses further afield and for members of religious orders. Since 1985 it has also offered courses in theology for lay (external) students. These courses now run alongside the academic programme offered to students in formation. This programme is validated by the University of Surrey, of which the Seminary is an Associated Institution. The Seminary is also a valuable resource for the local church, and provides a venue for various groups including the formation programme for the Permanent Diaconate, as well as a centre of expertise in the work of formation and sacred science. The motto "spes messis in semine" (the hope is in the sowing), speaks of confidence in the work done at the Seminary for the future of the Church and the Kingdom of God.

Brother Bart Bond Provincial Vocations Officer writes

In my role as Provincial and Circle Vocations Offficer, I have been acutely aware of Jesus words in St Luke 10, when he was sending out 72 New Evangelists to spread " The good news " about Christianity.He said "The harvest is great but the labourers are few". How true that is in todays world. Oh for 72 new priests for our Diocese !! The need is there, now we must promote an awarenees, This can be done by encouraging the cause among the young and the youngish in the Parish, in their families and in the Circles. Let us depict the positive and exciting aspects of the vocation to the Priesthood. The chance to celebrate Mass and to administer the Sacraments, to lead, to help others. to administer the Sacraments, to be a Missionary, to travel for God wherever one is needed, Inshort, an enthusiastic approach. We are fortunate in our Diocese to have Fr Paul Turner, an ex parishoner of my Parish, as Diocesian Director of Vocations. He is in touch with our iniatives and has made many suggestions, and organised vocational events, at some Churches in our Provinice, as well as saying high profile Masses around the Provinice.I think this is the way forward, for each Catenian to be responsible for the celebration of a Sunday Mass by his Parish Priest during which the Celebrant Preaches a Sermon about the need for Vocations. Above all, the Prayers of the Faithful are the most important part of this Initiative.:

Father Paul Turner, Arundel & Brighton Vocations Director

My role as Vocations Director is first to promote the priesthood and to give di-rection to those men who are enquiring into the vocation. The second is to en-courage a ‘culture of vocation’ in our parishes, schools and chaplaincies.
During The Year for Priests young people will be at the heart of vocations work. There will “Discovery day” for young men under 18 years old to discuss with diocesan priests matters of faith and discussion. Young people will be involved in producing a “Year for Priests” DVD to be used for formation and cateche-sis. I am also producing power-points on the priesthood to be used in schools and confirmation groups.
Taking vocation in a wider sense “Samuel Groups” will be run in Crawley and Woking for young adult vocation discernment One young women who attended a group last year is soon to enter into a religious community. However, young people will be better able hear the Lords call for when they here ordained minis-ters consecrated brothers and sisters, and committed lay people speak with love of their faith and calling. Our diocesan vocations service is holding a ‘Gods Plan4U Day’ in Weybridge on Sat, 17th October. It is a day to help pro-mote a culture of vocation and support the mission of the church.” St Paul writes to the Corinthians “The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose.” With proper evangelization more young people will come to offer themselves to the priesthood, religious life and to the mission of the church.
Fr Paul Turner
Diocesan Vocation Director