Vocations
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Women's Religious Communities
Information on the variety of religious communites for women in and around Central Ohio can be found here:
Religious Women - Diocese of Columbus -
Diocese of Columbus Office of Vocations
Questions concerning vocations for men and women living in the Diocese of Columbus can be found here:
[email protected] -
to love and serve . . . .
The calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter....
God has created the human person to love and serve him; the fulfillment of this vocation is eternal happiness. Christ calls the faithful to the perfection of holiness. The vocation of the laity consists in seeking the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will.
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He Calls us by Name
"We need priests in our parishes. People are hurting, and a
priest can do so much to bring Jesus Christ the healer into their lives."
Reverend William Hahn
Director of Vocations, Diocese of ColumbusTo serve the Church as a priest, deacon, religious sister, or lay minister is indeed a humbling honor, which no one merits, but which Our Lord chooses for us. We must therefore pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into His vineyard, and we should always pray for vocations to serve the Church in the priesthood and the religious life. If you are interested in serving Our Lord in this way, please notify Father Jeff Rimelspach here at Saint Margaret of Cortona at 614-279-1690, or [email protected], for information and guidance.
Jesus does not call us as nameless people in a faceless crowd. He calls us individually, by name.
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St. Margaret of Cortona Vocations Committee
Our most recent Holy Hour for Vocations at St. Margaret of Cortona followed the 10:30 Mass on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Even if you cannot attend a Holy Hour for Vocations, please take time this week to pray for vocations, and say a special prayer for those who are considering vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. A powerful way to pray for vocations is to pray the rosary.
We are a small group of parishioners who gather in support of vocations, as well as working toward bringing back or inviting new people to the Church. We meet three to four times a year to plan a special prayer service, or simple social to pray for and share information concerning vocations and hospitality for anyone interested in pursuing this special calling. Our next meeting is scheduled for October 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM, in the rectory conference room.Minutes from March 13, 2023 Meeting
Minutes from October 23, 2023 Meeting
Minutes from February 12, 2024 Meeting
Minutes from June 17, 2024 MeetingThe 31 Club
Our parish has launched a new program called the “31 Club.” This is a way to pray for all vocations – priesthood, religious life, the diaconate, and the married vocation. Our world needs strong vocations to all walks of life today. In the vestibule by the priest’s sacristy, there is a large poster board with 31 days on it. Each parishioner, or each family, is invited to choose a day of the month – your choice. Many choose to have their birthday day so they can remember the date easily. Write your name on the poster board for that specific date. There is no limit on the number of names for a date. Then on that day of EVERY MONTH, you (and your family) either attend Mass and pray for strong vocations – OR spend 15 minutes or so in prayer for strong vocations. We need priests; we need sisters; we need deacons; and we need strong married couples living out their vows. PLEASE sign up for a day and pray for vocations.TRAVELING CRUCIFIX
We have introduced a “Traveling Crucifix for Vocations” program at St. Margaret of Cortona. An individual, couple, or family may receive the crucifix to take home with them for 2 weeks. With the constant visual reminder of a prominently placed crucifix that they have taken home from Church, they are asked to pray every day for vocations while writing down their experiences in prayer. Any heartfelt prayer for vocations will be heard by God and do much good in helping them, or someone, somewhere, discern their call to a religious vocation. At the end of 2 weeks, the crucifix is returned to either the parish office, or to Father Jeff before Mass.
Our crucifix will travel in an attractive box. The crucifix in on a stand and is a nice size that can easily be placed in your home, even in a person’s room if your son or daughter would like to pray alone with Jesus and the crucifix. While the crucifix must be returned at the end of 2 weeks, your written reflections are yours to keep. Father Jeff welcomes discussing your experience with you if you would like. Interested parishioners should speak with Father Jeff or contact the parish office at 614-279-1690. At this point six families have taken the cross home and have enjoyed the experience. -
prayer for vocations
Lord, you call us all by name to follow your path. You always bless your Church and guide your followers to become leaders who think of others before themselves. Mold us in the image of your Son, to respond to your call as Sisters, Priests, Brothers, Deacons, and Lay servants of the Gospel. Embolden us all to grow in you, and allow this knowledge to open our hearts, minds, and souls to your enduring call.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
SERRA CLUB NORTH
We promote and support vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life and invite you to attend an upcoming meeting. Serrans accept as their responsibility the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. They possess a deep appreciation of the ministerial priesthood as being essential to the Church. Serrans have been generous in offering their support to those who hear the call to serve Christ in the priesthood. — Saint John Paul II
Club Activities
- Serra Altar Server Awards
- Boys and girls high school vocation luncheon
- First Friday nocturnal adoration at Our Lady of Victory Church
- Picnic events for priests and religious sisters
- Adopt a seminarian program
Luncheon program meetings are the first Tuesday of the month, 11:30, at the Jessing Center (The building just north of Pontifical College Josephinum).
Interested guests are welcome (meal cost is $15); please contact Colleen for more information [email protected] -
Additional resources
- Vocations
- Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church (Type in name of book.)
- Hearing, Responding to the Call to Vocation (Go to search, type in Hearing, Responding...vocations)
- Vocation Tree
- What Is a Vocation?
- Do I Have a Vocation? - CatholicMatch
- United States Conference of Secular Institutes
- Glossary of Vocation Terms
- Vocation Match (Truequest)
- Vocations and Prayer
- Prayers for Vocations prayerist.com/prayer/vocations
- Vocation Videos and More USCCB
- National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC)
- Lesson Plan: Universal Call to Holiness - USCCB
- Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate(CARA)
- A Nun's Life Ministry
- Catholic Volunteer Network
- Catholic Vocation Books
- World Day of Prayer for Vocations