Good Shepherd Sunday – Second Collection

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Celebrated on April 21, Good Shepherd Sunday draws our attention to the need to pray for vocations to the priesthood and to support the Work of Vocations second collection.

This annual appeal helps to fund the discernment, formation and education of our seminarians. It ensures that they are well prepared to be effective and zealous shepherds of souls.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver urgently needs priests who are willing to devote their lives to the service of God and his people in our local Church. Without priests to offer the Mass, celebrate the Sacraments, preach the Word of God, and provide pastoral leadership in our parishes, the Church cannot fulfil her evangelizing mission of bringing Christ to the world.

More than ever, the formation for our seminarians is a costly and time-intensive process. Their training usually takes at least nine years. While this entails a significant investment of time and resources, such expenses are essential if we are to have well-formed priests to serve our parish communities.

Through your prayers and your generosity, many of you already generously support the Work of Vocations. I am deeply appreciative of your help.

Please pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood from the men in our Archdiocese and, to the extent that you can, I also ask that you contribute from your heart to the Work of Vocations this Good Shepherd Sunday.

With my blessing and the assurance of my prayers for you and your families during this Easter Season, I remain

Sincerely yours in the Risen Lord,