C&SI - Exploring Vocations on Good Shepherd Sunday - 26 April 2026 (S06E23)

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, taking its name from the gospel reading of the 4th Sunday of Easter from the gospel of John and his account of the parable of the Good Shepherd. In Ireland, it is also known as Vocation Sunday as it is a day set aside for prayer for vocations to priesthood and the religious life.

On part two of the podcast this week we share three different pieces linking into the theme of vocation:

1. Fr Mike Schmitz reflects on "What's my vocation? What should I do with my life?” It’s a question on many hearts, maybe even our own. He gives some direction that can lead to an answer for ourselves or someone we know. He shares how a vocation is more than just figuring out whether we’re called to married life or religious life, and it’s about more than just finding out what we like to do. As he breaks down three different types of vocation we all have, he draws a practical path we can follow to pursue holiness.
2.  Fr Conor McGrath shares how he promotes faith and the call to the priesthood through short video clips on Instagram and Facebook taken from an interview on The Way.ie
3. During their Spring meeting, the Bishops launched a Vocations Monstrance blessed by Pope Leo. Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford of Lismore, who chairs the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, highlights the central role of prayer in nurturing vocations, said, “The Holy Father Pope Leo XIV blessed our new monstrance in the Vatican last November, which has been designated as a Vocations Monstrance.  The bishops’ launch today marks an important moment in the Church’s ongoing commitment to promote and foster vocations to the priesthood and to religious life.  Our monstrance will be travel around the island of Ireland to focus minds and hearts, and to ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into the fields of people’s lives today.  As Catholics, we all share the important responsibility to build the Kingdom of God as we practice our faith.....Our initiative aims to encourage prayer for vocations and to deepen young people’s awareness of God’s call in their lives". Interview from The Way.ie.

In part one we have our regulur liturgical odds and ends including a reminder to listeners that next Thursday is May Eve which in Ireland has the tradition of going out to bless the land and gardens and seek God's blessing on the crops for the summer ahead. Also of course, May is the month dedicated to Mary so a reminder to set up your May altars next week.

In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which this weeks is from John 10:1-10 and the parable of the Good Shepherd. As well as reflecting on the call to vocation the gospel also asks us the question, are we listening for the voice of Jesus in our lives?

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