Traveling Chalice Program
As a fellow Holy Family parishioner, I am inviting you to join the Traveling Chalice program -- our ongoing effort to promote religious vocations through household prayer and discussion. If you aren't sure what it's all about, here's the low-down.
The goal of the program is to create a supportive environment in our faith community for Catholics who feel called to the priesthood, permenant deaconate or religious life.
Participants take possession of a beautiful chalice, which once held the Precious Body and Blood, for one week at a time. They pick up the chalice (which is stored in a convenient latched carrying case) at the parish office on a designated Thursday afternoon or Friday morning, and return it a week later.
Members of a host household gather around the chalice for 5 to 10 minutes a day to discuss vacational issues and pray for vocations in our parish and diocese. A binder containing suggested prayers and conversation starters for each day travels with the chalice.
Many participants derive rich spiritual benefits from hosting the chalice, and several have gone out of their way to tell me that the experience has heightened their awareness of the priesthood shortage and increased their respect and admiration for Catholic clergy and religious. One mother told me that her little boy, after praying before the chalice, announced he no longer wanted to be a fireman when he grew up. Instead, he was thknking about becoming the Pope!
In the short run, success for the Traveling Chalice Program would mean more young men and women giving serious consideration to the priesthood, deaconate or religious life. Eventually, we hope Holy Family will become a fertile garden for vocations. It's all in God's hands, but he can do our part by praying, and then praying some more.
Would you be willing to host the Traveling Chalice in your household?
For more information, contact Mike Kelly at 673-9022.
