Today, September 16, 2018, the Archdiocese

of Goa and Daman celebrates Vocation Sunday, a day set aside for all the members of the Church to reflect upon God’s calling in their life. There is a diversity and uniqueness in every vocation. We don’t choose our call to Priesthood and religious life, but we embraceit. As Jesus listened to the word, discerned the content of the mission entrusted to him by the Father, and proclaimed that he came to accomplish it “today” (Lk 4:16-21).So Pope Francis gives us three aspects to be taken into consideration: Listen, Discern and Living. Pope Francis encourages to those whom God chooses saying: “We should not wait to be perfect in order to respond with our generous “yes”, nor be fearful of our limitations and sins, but instead open our hearts to the voice of the Lord….”So let us pray to the Lord of harvest to give usmore workers in his harvest field.

Reflectingon the words of Jesus: "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Lk.10:2), here are some vocation stories that highlight saying ‘yes’ to God’s calling:

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he seeds of my priestly vocation were sown in my family by my parents. My parents were God-fearing persons, who instilled in me the love of God and neighbour at a very young age. My mother taught me to pray and my father to grow in Christian virtues of honesty, simplicity and generosity. The seed of priestly vocation was further blossomed at a school retreat preached by Fr George D’Sa SJ. The theme of our retreat was ‘You are the Light of the World’. At this retreat I asked myself: ‘What is that I can give back to God for all the blessings He has showered upon me? That’s where I decided to be His priest and a light to this world.

Fr ASHLEY ALPHONSO,

Carona Aldona

 

 

 

The first thought of becoming a nun began when I was very young. I did not know how, when or where I would go, but I kept this dream in my heart.I always admired the sisters from my school.The exemplary life of my mother inspired me a lot.Participation in the Eucharistic celebrations, meetings of Legion of Mary, catechism and daily rosary nurtured the seed of my vocation.I was very much touched by the words “What will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”Today, I am happy to be a member of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Pilar.

Sr MELBA D’CUNHA (MSOLP),

Mandur

 

 

 

Being the youngest in the family, my vocation began in this home of love. I remember the days when my parents made sure that we participated in Saturday-Sunday masses and masses during holidays and prayer meetings.So I grew up with the desire to live for Jesus.

I expressed my desire to join the convent after SSC. My father didn’t allow me.When I finished my Higher Secondary exams,my aunt asked me if I would like to join a vocation camp. It was there I made up my mind and told my parents that I wish to join. This time my father gave heed to my request and I joined the Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate(UMI).

Sr SHYJA JOSEPH UMI,

Desterro Convent

 

 

 

As I was reading a vocation story on the AICUF notice board of my college, I heard a voice, “Come, I need you.” After college, I worked for 10 years. My brother was already a priest. The voice I had heard earlier remained within me. I shared my feelings with a Carmelite priest at Peddem, Mapusa and joined the Carmelites. The voice that said, ‘Come, I need you’ disappeared the moment I joined them. I would tell my formators, ‘this life is not for me’. On the day of my Diaconate, however, my mother exhorted me in her letter, “I have always been praying for you.” My mother’s words strengthened my vocation. Today, I am a Carmelite priest.

Fr DIOGO GOES E PROENÇA

OCD,Calangute

 

 

 

When I was young I felt the call to become a priest, but I did not give it much consideration. After my education, I worked as an Accountant for four years. During the next two years, even as I was working, I felt again that God was calling me. I contacted the Salesians in Mumbai, because deep down in my heart I felt that Jesus was constantly saying to me, ‘Come follow me! It is never too late! So in my late twenties, I joined the Salesians.I draw my strength from my Master, finding time for prayer. When God calls, it has to be a ‘Yes’! God does not give up but waits patiently for your response. His net is cast. Today, I am a Salesian priest, serving in Tuem parish.

Fr RICHARD CORREIA SDB,

Velim

 

 

 

At the age of ten, God sowed a seed of vocation in my heart through the simple vocation question of Fr. Barnabas OCD. I was looking for authentic witness in religious life. The materialistic world was surrounding me.Amidst this turmoil I prayed fervently to God to show me the way. The Eucharist was my greatest strength; deep down in my heart I could feel His call. And allof a sudden, after my 12th standard I decided to offer my life to Jesus. At this juncture, my uncle, Fr Israel OCD introduced me to the congregation of Catechist Sisters of Mary Immaculate Help of Christian, SMI. And by the grace of God now I am a professed sister of SMI.

Sr JANE GONSALVES SMI,

Xellim-Loliem