Vocations

What is a vocation?

We experience within ourselves that we are most happy in relationships of love – a love that is more than just feelings; a love that wills our happiness. This is the essence of God. The very reason we exist is because God freely chose to create us, in his own image, to share in his own perfect and eternal happiness. Jesus revealed to us that the greatest relationship of love is the eternal relationship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and he has called us to share in this love and happiness.

Through baptism, we are called to share in the eternal relationship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Filled with the Spirit of Christ we are empowered to follow his commandments and live the same kind of life Christ lived. This starts with our daily “yes” to God in countless little acts of sacrifical love; in the words of St Therese of Lisieux, “miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love”. This is our first, primary vocation, that all Christians share.

Throughout this journey of life the Church has discerned three particular ways in which Christians discern a permanent, public commitment through which they live this love: marriage, consecrated life, and ordained ministry. It is not easy to discern which particular vocation we are called to, because, as Pope Francis has said, “God comes silently and discreetly, without imposing on our freedom”. We need to cultivate our relationship with God through prayer, the Sacraments, and the support of one another – the Church – helping each other to hear the quiet, loving voice of Jesus, calling us to the fullness of life and love in this world, and forever in the next.

read pope’s vocations messages

Vocations contact

If you would like to talk about your vocation, please contact our diocesan vocations director, Fr Duane Fernandez at [email protected].

Upcoming vocations events

Vocations news

Ordination of Fr Joshua Whicker MGL

Ordination of Fr Joshua Whicker MGL

Ordination, Clergy, Vocations, Bishop Brian Mascord - May 5, 2023
Congratulations to Fr Joshua Whicker MGL who was ordained a priest by Archbishop Christopher Prowse at St Christopher's Cathedral (Manuka ACT) on Friday 28 April....
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Message from Fr Duane Fernandez for World Day of Vocations

Message from Fr Duane Fernandez for World Day of Vocations

Vocations, Fr Duane Fernandez - April 23, 2021
The Fourth Sunday of Easter (25th April 2021) is called “Good Shepherd Sunday” because the Gospel at Mass always draws on the image of Jesus...
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Congratulations Fr Anthony Crook RAN

Congratulations Fr Anthony Crook RAN

Ordination, Vocations, Clergy life - July 17, 2020
  Congratulations to our newest priest in the Diocese, Fr Anthony Crook RAN, who was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday 11 July 2020 by...
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Ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Anthony Grant Crook

Ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Anthony Grant Crook

Ordination, Vocations, Clergy life - July 10, 2020
Bishop Brian Mascord wishes to invite all in the diocese to join together as a virtual congregation for the ordination of Deacon Anthony Crook to...
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“Have no Fear”—Fr Duane Fernandez’s message for Good Shepherd Sunday

“Have no Fear”—Fr Duane Fernandez’s message for Good Shepherd Sunday

Vocations, Fr Duane Fernandez - April 28, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A095tesdEY The Fourth Sunday of Easter (3rd May 2020) is called “Good Shepherd Sunday” because the Gospel at Mass always draws on the image of...
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Quo Vadis—Pope Francis and the call to holiness

Quo Vadis—Pope Francis and the call to holiness

Vocations, Fr Duane Fernandez - August 15, 2019
In our time, there is a deeply felt urgency to “get more priests” for our diocese. Many dioceses throughout Australia and the Western world are...
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Recommended resources for prayer, relationships and discernment