May 9, 2014

The Archdiocese of Washington sponsored a Vocation Day for eighth graders in parochial schools at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Christopher and Joseph Swick, a visiting vocation discerner, were able to participate at the Mass and afterwards with a display table in Memorial Hall along with other religious congregations and the diocese. Some of the students who visited our booth had assignments of questions to ask. A challenging one was, ‘What do you do for fun?’ In turn we asked them to answer five multiple-choice questions, and for a good score be rewarded with a blessed medal of St. Benedict. We were pleased with how many medals we were able to give out. May God bless the efforts of all who organized and participated in this event. We trust that God will call some of these bright young men and women to dedicated service in the church. Hopefully the experience of the day will give these eighth graders encouragement and inspire them to explore seriously the call to priesthood or consecrated life as they mature.