An Update on Our Recent Vocations Seminar

​On Tuesday June 7th 2016 the Armagh Diocesan Vocations Commission hosted a “Vocations Seminar” in the Synod Hall on the Cathedral grounds. Attended by over 70 people representative of organisations such as St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society, the Knights of Columbanus, The Office for Adult Faith Development, our seminarians and many parishes throughout the diocese, the evening was an opportunity to review the programme for vocation discernment with a particular emphasis on discernment for priesthood. 


The evening was facilitated by Ms Dymphna Mallon and following an opening prayer an input was delivered by recently ordained Rev. Barry Matthews (deacon). Ms Mallon introduced the evening as being an opportunity to reflect on the role of the Vocations Commission and an opportunity to assess the best way forward in facilitating those called by God to respond with the generosity of heart required to enter fully the process of discernment/formation for priesthood.


Those gathered were invited to split into discussion groups where they were asked to reflect on a series of questions and representatives responded to the wider group in what was a robust, frank and honest assessment of the current situation and what those present could see as the pitfalls and opportunities going forward.


The evening was widely regarded by those present as an important event to begin a new approach to the promotion of vocations and a valuable exercise highlighting the support of people from every parish towards those discerning God’s call and a reminder of the level of support and prayer that seminarians receive.