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Vocations
Click below to receive a
Welcome to the Vocations Office of
The Reformed Catholic Church
We are here to help you pursue your interest in ordained church
ministry or religious life.
Is God calling you in a
special way to come and follow?
Your response to God, your joyful embrace of God's providential plan for you, is the very meaning of life. God invites us to co-create our lives and bring them to their full realization in our life's vocation, our joyful response to Christ's invitation to live in complete freedom.
The
Office of Vocations exists to promote, encourage, and help in the
discernment process of individuals who sense a call to Diocesan
Priesthood, Consecrated Religious Life, or the Permanent Diaconate. We
are considered the official contact for those who feel called to a
ministry of 'Service' in the Church. Our goal is to help guide
individuals in their unique journey to hear the "Call" of God. We
support discerning candidates by providing the atmosphere and resources
by which they can discern God's "plan" for their lives. When a
discerning candidate responds willingly, with full freedom and knowledge
in God's "plan", he/she ultimately finds the 'Joy', 'Peace', and
'Happiness' that God has had in store for him/her since the foundation
of the World.
Recognizing the Call...
As in the past, God is calling people today. Throughout
history, many have been called. They have lived exemplary lives and have
extended the mission of Jesus Christ around the world. There are many
heroic stories in every age. Yet today it is harder then in the past to
discover God's call. There are so many valuable ways that you can choose
to live your life. There are so many distractions that make it hard to
hear God's voice. Discerning a vocation is a challenge, no doubt about
it. It can be especially tough today because others, even parents and
friends, may not be encouraging or supportive. In the world of the Third
Millennium, many are hungry to find greater meaning in life, eager to
discover some purpose for their life. But God is calling you.
A Vocation…
A vocation is God's unique invitation, addressed to
individual persons in which a free response is expected. This response
is not a single act, but a life-long process, a journey of faith. We do
not "have" a vocation; we discover how we "are" our vocation as we
journey through life led by the Spirit.
An individual discovers their vocation at various stages
of life and in relationship with others:
-
when a person is loved and appreciated by others,
-
when the person is attracted by the example of others,
-
when the person becomes aware of the needs of others,
-
when the person prays and meditates on the word of God
As baptized Christians each of us are called to assist
others to discover their vocation as we have been assisted on our faith
journeys. We are called to help make others aware of their personal
richness, talents and human value, opening their eyes to the variety of
lifestyles and then ministries within the Church.
We are to assist the young and the not so young in their search for who
it is God wants them to be; to walk with them in faith, to pray with
them, to guide them, to help them become aware of God's loving presence
in their personal history in order that they might respond to the
will/yearning of God in their own regard.
Discernment
When discerning a vocation there is always a confusion of
options. Many things interest us.
Suggestion: root out any interests that are "bad" or not of God, then
with the remaining good choices, seek out your dominant interest and
pursue it.
The decision making process is a complicated matter. There are many
"layers" of decisions that must be looked at. At the same time there are
clues, "signs" that are present to us.
Suggestion: follow the leads that are present
There is very often uncertainty in the discernment process. At any one
point in time we only see partial glimpses, not the whole picture,
therefore uncertainty exists.
Suggestion: trust what is deepest in your heart.
In discernment your decision will always meet a certain amount of inner
resistance. Resistance is a good sign. There is always risk when a
person makes significant decisions in his life. A person must have
sufficient love in his heart to take a significant risk.
Suggestion: reflect on what is the source of love in your heart, where
it is leading you, and how deeply it is present.
When discerning your vocation, the road ahead will always remain a bit
foggy. You probably will not know with absolute certainty what lies
ahead. The future will always remain a bit hidden. Mystery and the
unknown are part of everyone's future.
Suggestion: take one step at a time. don't try to "figure out" in exact
detail your entire future.
Contact the Office of Vocations
Those who are interested in
the priestly formation program for the RCC should contact the Office of Vocations. If a candidate has manifested that interest to his/her
pastor or other Church personnel, it would be helpful for that person to
make contact with the Office of Vocations as well.
The Vocation Director will establish regular meetings with the
interested candidate to explore his/her interest, answer his questions,
and guide his discernment. If and when the Office of
Vocations Judges the candidate
ready to make application, they will then facilitate that process.
As a general rule, candidates must have some familiarity and connection
with the RCC (family, education, ministry, etc.).
Application Process
With the assistance of the Office of Vocations, a candidate for the priestly formation program of the RCC engages in the following process:
Completion of the confidential Vocation Application form.
Submission of sacramental documents, academic records and two passport size photos.
Completion of a detailed autobiography.
Complete the Question forms.
Completed Criminal background check.
Interviews with two members of the Formation Council who then submit written report and recommendations.
Physical examination.
Psychological evaluation by consulting psychologist. Written report is submitted with specific recommendations.
The Director of Vocations
will collect and evaluate all of the information listed above. Following
this review, the Director will make a recommendation to the Bishop
regarding the applicant’s acceptance into the seminary program. The
Bishop makes the final decision.
If the applicant is accepted as a candidate for priestly formation, a
formal letter of acceptance is sent to him/her.
Required Documents
Please send the following items with the application:
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Copy of Baptismal, First Communion, Confirmation Certificates
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Resume / Curriculum Vitae
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3 letters of reference
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2 Passport sized photographs
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Letter of support by partner/spouse
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Certificates of Ordination, if applicable
-
Academic Records
-
Statement of No Record of Sex Crime Felony Charges or Convictions
E-mail the
List of Documents listed to
Vocations@reformedcatholicchurch.org
The forms and documents may be mailed to:
The Reformed Catholic Church
Attn: Office of Vocations
P.O. Box 5554 Toledo, OH 43613
Tel:
1-866-769-0075
Click here for a Vocation Packet
Click for On-line Form
Click for On-line Form
POSTULADOS DE FE
Click for On-line Form
Application for Admission to the Vocational Program / Incardination in
The Reformed Catholic Church
(Print this form and mail to the Vocation Office)
Date of Application:______________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________ Email
:_____________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ Current Age: ______________
I possess the following degrees:
___________________________________________________
I am pursuing a Master's degree in the following field(s):_________________________________
I am pursuing a Bachelor's degree:
Major(s) :______________________________ Minor(s)________________________________
Expected date of graduation/completion of Degree
program:_______________________________
Current grade point average:_____________
Are you interested in:
Diocesan Priesthood Religious Priesthood Religious
Life Deacon Incardination
Are you interested in a particular religious order? If so, which one(s)?
Benedictine Dominican Carmelite Franciscan Jesuit Other Uncertain
In the past have you ever studied in a seminary or been affiliated with
a religious community?
Yes No Please describe that
association:____________________________________________
Why did you leave?
: _____________________________________________________________
How long have you been thinking about priesthood/religious life?
:___________________________
Who has assisted you in your vocational discernment?
:___________________________________
Describe your desire to be a priest/religious.
:___________________________________________
Were there significant role models in your life?
__________________________________________
What are/were the central influences?
:________________________________________________
Describe your understanding/perception of ministry
:_____________________________________
What strengths do you see in yourself?
_______________________________________________
What weaknesses?
______________________________________________________________
SPIRITUAL LIFE: What spiritual practices are part of your life at the
present time (e.g., Mass, prayer, etc.)?
_____________________________________________________________________________
SACRAMENTAL LIFE :
I was baptized a Roman Catholic in (year):_____________
I was baptized Catholic in (year):____________
I was not baptized in the Roman Catholic Church but was received into it
in (year):________
Previously belonged to the following
church:_________________________________________
I received the following sacraments in the Roman Catholic
Church:________________________
Reconciliation Eucharist Confirmation
Concerning Marriage/Holy Union :
married united in Holy Union single
I was married in: _______________ Please indicate current
status:________________
I was united in Holy Union in:_____________ Please indicate current
status:____________
Please list any children and their
ages:_______________________________________________
The forms and documents may be mailed to:
The Reformed Catholic Church
Attn: Director of Vocation
P.O. Box 5554 Toledo, OH 43613