Vocations Team Formed

Fostering vocations can be challenging along with organizing events such as ordinations and Come and See weekends.

But armed with its mission “to foster vocations through collaboration with the Office of Vocations in prayer, adoration and service in this land of Baton Rouge,” the recently formed Diocesan Vocation Team is lending its support in several ways, including prayer. 

Suzanne Payne, office manager for the vocations office, said the idea for the team came about during preparation for several vocation events and conversations with friends. She noticed the need for assistance coupled with a desire to make every gathering a respite for attendees.

“As the idea evolved it was clear that the most important aspect of creating a team would be prayer,” Payne said. “Prayers for the right members, right direction and focus.” 

“Another dream for this team would be their prayers during events so that every heart participating could feel the presence of God,” she added.

Krystel Neupert, a parishioner at St. George Church in Baton Rouge and one of five founding members, said the team is called to imitate Jesus and commit to intentional prayer for  men who are being called to the priesthood. She said team members will assist with the promotion of vocation events and help behind the scenes during the actual events to assure they go as planned.

Neupert said the team has held one meeting where members were given the logistics of the ministry, including a schedule of upcoming events where members will be called upon to help prepare in ways such as décor, centerpieces, etc.

Prayer, including eucharistic adoration, will be part of their mission during the actual events such as ordination, Neupert said.

Along with ordinations and Come and See weekends, events include St. Andrew dinners and retreats and evenings of prayer for men and women discerning religious life.

“When the youth  who are discerning have this opportunity  to spend time with the men and women religious who have already entered into that vocation and (the ordained) are able to spend time with the young person that is discerning, that is what makes the difference,” Neupert said, adding the quiet time of retreat allows young people to listen to God’s call. 

Diocesan Vocation Team Prayer
O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, You speak to us and nourish us through the life and people of this sacred land in the diocese of Baton Rouge.
We ask you to send your Spirit to us so that men and women in this land, young and old, will respond to your call to service and leadership in the Church. We pray especially, in our day, for those who hear your invitation to be a priest,
 sister, or deacon.
May those who are opening their hearts and minds to your call be encouraged and strengthened through our enthusiasm in your service.
Keep us strong to serve You, humble to do Your Will, 

steadfast in prayer and devotion to be Your face to all we encounter. Amen. 

Neupert is involved because she finds enjoyment in being able to assist and work behind the scenes. 

“We are helping vocations and are living out what Jesus asks us to do in the Gospel,” she said.

Neupert pointed with pride to St. George’s legacy of having young men get ordained, including such stalwarts as Father Josh Johnson, Vicar General Father Tom Ranzino, current St. George pastor Father Paul Yi and former pastor Father Mike Schatzle.

“We are such a busy and vibrant, and active parish,” she said. “I think it’s a good place to have priests because they have so much support from the parish staff, lay people and parishioners.

“Our priests are blessed here and they are a blessing to us.”

Payne said the team is starting with a small group to “fine tune the vision and solidify our direction.”

“Prior to founding the Order of Friars, St. Dominic established a community of cloistered nuns who devoted their lives to prayer and fasting for St. Dominic and his future community of preachers,” said Director of Vocations Father Johnson. “As his ministry grew, he attributed much of their supernatural fruit to this community of women who worked and prayed behind the scenes. I am excited to work with our DIOBR Vocation Team because I believe that our collaboration will also bear similar fruit in our land.”