Catholic Scouts Can Make a Difference on October 25th, 2009
Show appreciation for your Priest
1 . What is "Priesthood Sunday?"
Priesthood Sunday, Oct.25, 2009, is a special day set to honor Priesthood
in the United States. It is a call for parishioners to honor Christ as
Priest and the men who were called to be his priests on earth. It is also
a day to honor all religious and to focus on the importance of vocations.
Catholic Scout Packs, Troops and Venture Crews are encouraged to make
a special effort to involve the youth in programs of making appreciation
cards to be presented after Mass on the October 26th or at an event planned
in your parish.
2. Why October 25?
Frankly, there are many times such an event could be marked – on
Good Shepherd Sunday in the Spring, or on Marriage Encounter's World Priest
Day in September. The last Sunday in October was originally chosen because
of the readings and the fact that there were no other major national events
scheduled. The event is being marked this year at a similar time.
3. Who is sponsoring "Priesthood Sunday?"
The board of the National Federation of Priests' Councils, the voice of
parish priests in the U.S., first declared Priesthood Sunday, but the
event is now sponsored by USA Council of Serra International and is supported
through the NCCS Vocations Committee, World Wide Marriage Encounter and
other Church vocation support organization.
4. Why have a "Priesthood Sunday"?
The first reason for proposing a Priesthood Sunday is to affirm the priesthood
in the life of the Church. With the phenomenon of fewer priests, people
see fewer priests therefore young people are not offered the opportunity
learn about the vocation of priesthood and the life of their pastors.
Priesthood Sunday seeks to reaffirm the priesthood of Jesus Christ and
its central place in the life of the Church.
Second, some organizations and some parishes have attempted to counteract
this negativity. "Priesthood Sunday" sends a message to Catholics
and non-Catholics everywhere that the parish priest as the instrument
of Christ’s Priesthood on earth, is loved and respected by those
in the parish community.
5. What will take place?
The lay faithful of each parish are asked to develop their own special
way of marking the day and honoring their parish priest(s) both at Mass
and in the parish.
6. Are there any suggestions?
A special website has been established (www.priestsunday.org)
to provide ideas for liturgies, social celebrations, preaching, school
activities and other events. In some dioceses there will be special Catholic
newspaper sections devoted to honoring priests.
7. What can I do?
If you are a parishioner, a member of the parish staff, a lay minister/leader
or a Catholic Scouter, call some friends and organize a group to spearhead
the celebration. Go to the website
for some ideas, then plan your own way of honoring the priest(s) of your
parish, or contact Homer Radford, Coordinator of Priesthood Sunday program,
for sample appreciation cards in a Microsoft Word Document. 816-356-1760
or hradford2@comcast.net.
8. Will it make a difference?
Yes it will. Catholic Scouts can make a difference…if we all stand
up and show our support for the sacredness of Christ’s priesthood
and our thankfulness for the parish priest, who is there for us when we
need him.
9. We need your feedback!
The NCCS Vocations Committee asks you to tell us what you do and what
affect this program had on your Scouts, parish community and priests.
Send information to to the coordinator of Priesthood Sunday for the NCCS
Vocations Committee: Homer Radford, 9601 E. 82nd TER, Raytown, MO 64138
or hradford2@comcast.net.
