The parish is, first, a people. Simply stated, it is a people called together by God. It is a people empowered by the Spirit to make increasingly true and obvious their response to God through Christ.
Vocations
“…all the faithful, whatever their condition or state—though each in his own way—are called by the Lord to that perfection of sanctity by which the Father himself is perfect.” CCC 825
Throughout our lives, we seek to grow in faith and spirituality—to become closer to God. The Diocese of Sacramento offers diverse opportunities for every child of God to explore their calling, and to more fully define and understand their personal vocation. Vocations to the priesthood, or consecrated life, the call to married life, or the call to single lifeall offer a lifetime of grace, holiness, and praise for God.
“Christ stands at the heart of this gathering of men into the “family of God.” . . . “Jesus calls all people to come together around him.” CCC 542
There remains a clear responsibility of the faithful to support those who may pursue priestly vocations, or religious life. A diocesan statute defines this important role in sustaining the priesthood and religious life:
“The Christian faithful have an obligation to foster vocations to the priesthood and the religious life by living faithfully the call to holiness, by holding vocations to the priesthood and the religious life in esteem, and by encouraging young men and women to consider the possibility of a call from God to the ordained or consecrated states. Diocesan and parish programs are to assist in fostering vocations.” Statute 9