The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is celebrating National Vocation Awareness Week, January 6-14, 2007, with several prayerful events and an advertising campaign to increase vocations to the priesthood. A new web site has also been launched to promote vocations to diocesan priesthood: www.heedthecall.org. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate a special Mass to encourage young people to consider a life as an Archdiocesan priest or religious sister or brother.

Local events during the week include:

Novena
A novena to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood will take place from Saturday, January 6 through Sunday, January 14. Catholics throughout the Archdiocese are encouraged to participate in this prayer.

Youth and Young Adult Event
Eucharistic Adoration, confession and showing of "Fishers of Men," a vocational film commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be held Friday, January 12 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood.

Closing Mass for Vocation Awareness Week celebrated by Cardinal Rigali
All are invited - a special invitation is extended to young people who are considering the priesthood or religious life - to attend the closing Mass for the Archdiocese's Vocation Awareness Week on Sunday, January 14 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Cardinal Rigali will be the principal celebrant.

In addition to these events, an advertising campaign featuring outdoor ads and radio messages will coincide with the week to raise awareness of the need for more priestly vocations.

For more information, contact the Archdiocese's Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood at 610-667-5778 or visit www.heedthecall.org.

Contact
Matthew Gambino
Associate Director
215-587-3747