Vocations

How does someone know they have a “Vocation?” Where do these people come from? Who are they? Does our Church still have any? How does one discern their vocation?

Common questions with difficult answers.

The common understanding of the word, “Vocation,” in the Church, is a calling to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life. And that is the sense in which most Catholics define the word. But religious life is only one of three vocations to which we are called. The three are: priesthood/diaconate/religious life, the married state, and the dedicated single life.

And so, one’s “vocation” isn’t so much what one does, but who God calls them to be.

By the time we enter our twenties, most of us have some idea of our vocation and what we will do for a living. But what happens when we “think” one profession, but God has other ideas?

Consider Grant Desme.

Grant was, until very recently, one of the top prospects in the Oakland Athletics’ minor league baseball farm system. On January 23, 2010, Grant announced that he was going to leave baseball – on the heels of a MVP season in the Arizona Fall League – to enter the seminary.

In an Associated Press article, Grant spoke about his inner calling, "I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things." Twenty-three year old Desme then added, "I wasn't at peace with where I was at." Something greater than Major League Baseball was calling Grant.

Sound incredible? It is, but it has happened before. The same AP article noted that “Al Travers, who gave up 24 runs during a one-game career for a makeshift Detroit Tigers team in 1912, became a Catholic priest. More recently, Chase Hilgenbrinck of the New England Revolution left Major League Soccer in 2008 to enter a seminary.”

What does it take to make such a decision? Prayer, discernment, and support of family and friends – and an amazing amount of courage - at the very least. And that is where the Knights can help:

We are some eight months into the Year for Priests – a year dedicated to all manner of prayer and support for our priests. In the remaining four months, let us rededicate ourselves to daily prayer for all men and women who are considering religious life.

And what about you? What is God calling you to?

“In you will is our peace, O Lord”

Greg Karn
Vocations Consultant

A wonderful way to pray the Rosary on-line www.comepraytherosary.org	01/30/10
Assembly #1084 is hosting a Fourth Degree Exemplification on May 8th	01/30/10
Knights of Columbus named recipient of inaugural Bridge Builder Program Award	01/26/10
Assembly #1923 is hosting a Fourth Degree Exemplification on March 13th	01/26/10
The State Degree calendar has been updated	01/17/10
Assembly #1083 is hosting a Fourth Degree Exemplification on March 27th.	01/17/10
Assembly #2389 is hosting a Fourth Degree Exemplification on February 27th.	01/17/10
Created a page specifically for Veterans Affairs related news (Click Here)	01/17/10
Misa Guadalupana 2009 photos with Honor Guards from Assembly 1086	12/26/09
Check out the Knights at the Nashville Veterans' Day Parade Slideshow	11/27/09
Added more photos to the Clarksville council 3537 Photo Gallery	11/27/09
Past and present photo albums can be accessed from the Photo Gallery page.	11/24/09
Clarksville Assembly 2328 Hosted a 4th Degree Exemplification on October 17, 2009. Click here to see photos from that event.	11/24/09
The 2010 Tennessee State Convention Forms and Information is now available	11/22/09

2009 State Convention Photo Album	06/25/09



Council 6099 has given us the opportunity to see how they put together a New Member Welcome Package. This information can help your councils create your own packages.
THE SILVER ROSE IN TENNESSEE!