Vocation Fair 2007

What is the meaning of vocation? The priesthood and religious are only reserved for special people, not ordinary people like me. I am too sinful and unworthy to serve God. God is calling me? Impossible!

These are some of the sentiments and thoughts of our youth whenever the word ‘vocation’ is mentioned.

On 29 July, a Vocation Fair was held to promote vocations and to give our youth an opportunity to meet members of various religious congregations. It was organised by the Parish Vocation Promotion Team together with the Ministry of Catechists and volunteers from the youth groups. More than 200 youth from the Confirmation 1 to 3 classes; their families and other parishioners and participants from 10 religious congregations, contributed to the success of this Fair. The Serra Club that promotes vocations for the diocesan seminary was also there. All in all, the result was an atmosphere of exuberance and enthusiasm.

The Vocation Fair kicked off with a buffet spread and a religious quiz. The top four winners could walk away with a Creative Zen Stone player each. This made the youth more eager to enter into conversations with the religious and lay volunteers to obtain the answers and get to know them better.

Later Jude Tan, from the RCIY Ministry shared how the witness and example of Fr Fossion, our former late parish priest, had inspired him. This was followed by a video on Fr Fossion.

The last segment of the Fair was a talk-show styled forum where the guests shared their vocation stories which seem to have a common thread - they were inspired by Fr Fossion. The panelists were: Br Michael Broughton FSC, Sr Theresa Lim FSP, Sr Molly Lim FMM and seminarian, Br Jude David. They presented the following views:
• Vocation is something every Catholic youth should find normal to consider at any point in their life;
There is no age limit when God can call you and it simply starts with a desire;
• God could call anyone to religious life or priesthood. It is not reserved for ‘saintly or holy’ people;
• To answer God’s call is ultimately a call to live life to the fullest, to be fully human and fully alive.
St John Bosco said, “One third of youths have a vocation”. Youths, do you hear him speaking in your heart of hearts today?

Recent Recollection and Events:
• 26-27 October 2007: Diocesan Vocation Discernment Recollection
• 27 October: Annual Aspirants’ BBQ

Jarvis Tan
for The Parish Vocation Promotion Team

Our Parish Pastoral Executive

Jarvis Tan is our full-time Pastoral Executive. His role is to assist the priests and the Parish Pastoral Council Executive Committee (PPC Exco) in the pastoral planning and programmes of the church. The three main areas of his ministry are: Youth, Family Life and Small Christian Communities (SCCs).