Chris Smith

Diocesan Vocations Promotion and

Publicity Officer

 

“Buying the ticket”

Chris Smith has a unique role within the Church in England and Wales.  As full time Vocations Promotion and Publicity Officer for the Archdiocese of Birmingham, he is the only lay person in such a post in the country. He works in partnership with the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Eddie Clare, based at the Vocations Centre at St. Mary’s College, Oscott, the diocesan seminary.

At the start of the new term in September, the Archdiocese of Birmingham will have a total of 21 students in formation for the priesthood, both at Oscott and the colleges abroad.  The level of interest in the priesthood remains encouraging and there is a sizeable number of men undertaking our discernment programme with a view to applying to the diocese. This seems to be continuing the positive trend that has occurred over the last few years and it is interesting to note that although the age range of our enquirers is quite broad, there seems to be an upturn of interest among the younger age group-including boys still at school or in sixth form. Other dioceses have noticed a similar trend, and it reminds us that it is never too early to recommend the priesthood to likely young men in our parishes.

Our diocese has taken the view that to be proactive is to succeed when formulating our vocations promotion. Whilst deliberating about ways in which to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life to our young adults, an anecdote frequently arises in my mind. This is of the man who repeatedly urges God through prayer to help him win the lottery. Each week he becomes more desperate as he feels his prayer goes unanswered, until finally, when desperation seems to have consumed him fully he hears the voice of God speak to him. “My child, you must meet me half way, at least buy a ticket!”

In many ways vocation promotion should be about buying the ticket. God will always call young men and women to dedicate their lives to the priesthood or religious life. He will always hear and respond to our needs and prayers, but we all have a part to play. It is our duty for all to help sow, educate, accompany and to form those from the next generation. As a priest, religious sister, teacher, catechist, parent, God parent…it is up to us to help our young people to hear and recognise the voice and call from God in our lives.

Through this proactive approach we aim to encourage the people of the diocese, particularly parents, Godparents, teachers, catechists and youth leaders, through realising and living out their own vocation to meet the challenge of preparing young adults to respond to God’s “call to life” because it is in “How he comes to life, that carries and finds in itself the image of He who calls”.

Working together to create a real culture of vocation within our diocese allows the priests and religious to inspire others through the example of their ministry and relationship with God, helping people to answer the call to priesthood and religious life with a resounding “Yes, I come to do your will”.

How then, can we as promoters help the people of our diocese, who are all already doing marvellous work through their own particular ministry, to do this?

There are endless possibilities.  Firstly at diocesan level we have tried to implement a cohesive structure that enables our parishes, schools, groups, departments, communities and people to work together. We provide resources, training and organise events and initiatives.  At grass roots level we encourage the setting up of deanery vocations promotion groups who can react to the particular needs of  individual parishes, schools and groups. We also pay particular attention to youth ministry and schools work.  This year, for example, we are running “Vocations Days” in 15 of the 36 Catholic secondary schools in the Archdiocese where a whole year group of pupils will have the chance to meet, interact with, listen to and question a number of priests and religious from a wide cross-section of ministries. The days are incredibly successful and over the next couple of years we plan to offer the initiative to all diocesan secondary schools.

Through my experiences of delivering initiatives to secondary school pupils, it is apparent that the young people of today yearn to fill the gaps left within them by a materialistic world. They each search for their place in the world- a life filled with extraordinary achievements- a way in which they can be special and leave their footprints behind. Most grasp the idea of commitment to life long choices, albeit somewhat apprehensive of the risk of failure in these commitments, but they step forward with hope.

This yearning requires us to awaken in them the gift of faith, that God will call them for a special purpose, a fulfilling vocation that enables them to make a difference in the world today. Through our promotion work we sow seeds and help them to think about making the right choices in their lives.  We help them to identify and tackle the obstacles and barriers that they will face and ultimately help them to discern God’s call.  From this, the call to priesthood and religious life can flourish and bear fruit.

The importance for our young adults to have personal contact with our priests and religious when promoting vocations is paramount. In learning and sharing from their experiences and from the good example that they set, the benefits and rewards should not be taken lightly.

For more information please contact the vocations centre on 0121 355 4163.

Chris

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