Resources available from the Diocese of Youngstown Vocation Office:
Vocation Website:
DOY.org/vocations – contains information for priesthood, diaconate and religious life (brothers and sisters). A calendar of vocation events is located on the website.
Vocation Lessons
Designed for grades K to 12, these lessons will help you to teach about vocations, what they are and how we all have one. Special emphasis is given to the vocations of marriage, priesthood and religious life. All lessons are on-line and can be used at any time. The lessons are broken down for Catholic schools, religious education and youth ministry. You are welcome to go into any section and use the lesson that best serves your needs. Because the Vocations office pays for the license to utilize these resources they are totally FREE for you to use. You can use them as many times throughout the year as you would like. Brochures that explain the program in greater detail are available from the Vocations office. To access the website go to: vocationlessons.com. Once in the website, go the top right corner and input the following password: youvocations330.
Vocation Prayer
The Vocation office has for your use our diocesan vocation prayer. This short prayer is great to use in the classroom, at meetings and with any other group setting. The prayer covers the four-lifestyle vocations of married life, committed single life, priesthood and religious life. The prayer is printed on a small, laminated card so it is easy to carry around.
Prayer Cards, Posters and other Items
The Vocation Office has various printed resources for you to use in your community. Each year, posters, prayer cards and bookmarks are printed that display our men studying for the priesthood as well as our diocesan vocation prayer. We can send these resources to your site. As well, we have many other printed resources that you can use for a man or woman who may be discerning or for your general use. Just call the office to see what all we have.
Seminary Visits
One of the seminaries that Youngstown men study at is St. Mary in Cleveland. Because of their close proximity, consider a field trip where the children from your community can go into the seminary to see what life is like. Many schools and parishes from the Diocese of Cleveland take advantage of this great opportunity as it helps to teach about vocations. We will work to arrange it so that Youngstown seminarians will guide the tours. If funds for bussing are an issue, the Vocations office may be able to help. Contact us for more information.
Seminarians
Presently we have 14 men in the formation process for priesthood. When they are home on breaks (Christmas, spring break, Easter, and at other times) they are happy to come to your parish, school, religious education program or youth ministry meeting to speak with the kids about vocations. The Vocations office can give you more information on specific times when they will be available.
These men are available to visit with the kids in your parish or school to speak on vocations or maybe teach a religious lesson. If you would like to have them come into your school, religious education program or youth ministry meeting/event, call the Vocations office and we will put you in touch with one of these seminarian interns.
Vocation Office Team
If there is ever anything that you need in your parish or school regarding vocations, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Vocation Office and we will be happy to assist you as best as we can. The Director and Associate Directors are always happy to come to your community and help present vocations.
- Geri Deane – Administrative Assistant, Vocations Office – 330-744-8451
- Fr. Chad Johnson – Vocation Director – 330-744-8451