Church holds all-night vigil to pray for priests, new vocations

Published: 2004-06-28

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (CNS) -- The soft sounds of "Amazing Grace" floated through the worship space at St. Dominic Church in Bolingbrook as people came together for an 8 p.m. Mass followed by an all-night vigil to pray for the priests of the Joliet Diocese and for new vocations. "It's a nice way to thank the priests who do so much for us," said Laura Dudkowski, coordinator of the June 18 event. The vigil has been held every year since 1989. The parish makes up holy cards for each priest, and participants can take a card as a way to focus their prayers on that priest. "Young and old, they all come together to pray," Dudkowski told the Catholic Explorer, Joliet's diocesan newspaper. She noted that the vigil usually draws about 100 people. "I think it's wonderful what they are doing for the priests and I wanted to join in," said Steve Tingler, a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Bolingbrook.

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