Bishop Dennis Walsh celebrates the Eucharistic Prayer during a vocations Mass June 7 at St. Mary Church in Iowa City.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
IOWA CITY — Water trickling into the baptismal font offered a soothing accompaniment to the Holy Hour for Vocations June 7 at St. Mary Church, which opened with the chant “Adoramus te Domine.” Interwoven into the holy hour were periods of silence, a Scripture reading, chants and songs by St. Mary Choir members, intercessions and a Eucharistic blessing. Two priests heard confessions throughout the holy hour. Afterwards, Bishop Dennis Walsh walked to the baptismal pool for a rite of blessing and sprinkling of water to open the Celebration of the Liturgy for Vocations.
Following the processional, Bishop Walsh thanked Father Andrew Rauenbuehler, St. Mary’s pastor and the diocese’s incoming vocations director, for the opportunity for Catholics to gather in prayer for vocations in the Church.
During his homily, Bishop Walsh said it is important to gather as a local Church to pray. “We are nourished by the body of Christ. Together we pray for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life and lay ministry.”
He shared how Jesus moved among the people and witnessed their suffering, loss and vulnerability. That witness continues today, as people who are lonely and anxious seek an encounter with Christ, he said. “There is suffering, a loss of meaning, brokenness, anxiety, depression, injustice. Who will care for their wounded souls?” the bishop asked. The Church educates and comforts. “The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. There are not enough,” he said. Jesus asks the Church to send out the laborers.
When the Lord calls, “we need to respond with courage as many generations did before,” Bishop Walsh continued. Jesus calls the faithful to action and not to just pray for action. “Prayer leads to resolution to those who respond to the call.”
As the Mass concluded, Father Rauenbuehler thanked the participants and asked them to pray for more laborers for vocations.
Jeanette and Terry Ulrich, OSF, of Sacred Heart Parish in Newton, drove more than 1 ½ hours to attend the holy hour and Mass. “We need priests,” Terry said. “This was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit. We are hurting for priests,” Jeanette added. Both described the holy hour and Mass as “awesome.” His presence is powerful,” Jeanette said, referring to the Holy Spirit.
The couple tries to attend holy hour once a week in their parish or in a parish in the Diocese of Des Moines, which is not a long drive for them. “We need to encourage holy hours for vocations,” Jeanette said. “I believe we would not have (a shortage of priests) if every parish in the diocese held a holy hour for vocations every month and the priests promoted it and attended,” she said. “We need to set an example and vocations will come.” Terry added, “Adoration is powerful. (The Holy Spirit’s) presence is so powerful.”
