By Fr. John Adamski

“Picture Yourself” is the caption of our new Atlanta vocation poster that will soon be appearing in our churches and schools. It might also be used to describe the theme of some of our vocation here in Atlanta.

Several priests and sisters are interested in encouraging young people to consider the possibilities of ministry in their own lives, to envision themselves serving God’s people in a full time commitment and way of life.

Most priests and sisters find their lives of service in the Church to be enriching and rewarding experiences. Consequently, they are eager to interest others in sharing ministry in today’s Church and world.

Our new poster communicates a little more than that. The shadow outline of a face is actually a collage of many pictures of priests and sisters. In a miniature, brief way, these pictures convey the wide variety of work and service which fills the daily lives of priests and sisters. Men and women working in the Church are frequently called upon to fulfill their commitment to service in many different situations.

Actually the needs of God’s people become the criteria for the activities in which priests or sisters may be found. Celebrating the sacraments, comforting the sick, teaching, listening, counseling – all ways of sharing God’s love for man – fill the daily life of a person serving in the Church.

This variety of opportunities offers chances to use many personal talents. Perhaps the only basic requirements are a personal faith in God and a willingness to try and help other people. Individual interests and talents frequently can be put to good use for the benefit of many other people.

Normally each priest or sister finds ample room to pursue the goal of serving people through ways that are especially important or meaningful for each one. Thus the whole area of personal fulfillment and satisfaction is very much a part of life in ministry.

Our collage of individual pictures fits together to convey one main impression: the outline of a face. So too, the individual ministries of each priests or sister are not isolated efforts. Rather, they are specific instances of the work of the entire Church in the world today.

We are first of all a community of God’s people. Priests work as assistants to the bishop and find their unity of purpose in his presence and leadership. Sisters work together in groups or communities sharing a common purpose or goal. No one of us is working solely for our own interest. Rather we are a part of a larger picture: the work of Jesus Christ bringing the “Good News” of God’s love to today’s world.

This Sunday, May 13, is the annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It’s an opportunity for all of us to reflect again on the place of ministry and leadership within the Church. It’s also a time of asking God for his blessing for many young people today that they might hear his call in their lives and respond generously to his invitation.

You’ll be seeing our poster soon. If you haven’t yet decided what you’d like to do with your life, take a close look and “Picture Yourself.”