Someone read: (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into a flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Picture is of St John Vianney—patron of priests

Hello. I am Wendy Holden. I’m married to Allan and we have six children. Jo, the eldest, is married to Mark. They are working in New Plymouth. Brenda has been with Mother Teresa’s order, Missionaries of Charity, in Melbourne for a year. She is shortly moving to Rome to continue her training. Ross died in a vehicle accident twelve years ago when he was eleven and is with Jesus in heaven. Our son Mark has recently gone to France to join the Beatitudes Community. This is a community of priests, nuns and lay people. He is living and praying with them while learning French in preparation for studying to be a priest. The other two children are younger- Simon ten and Rachel seven.

We believe both family life and a supportive community have shaped the lives of our children. We briefly pray together as a family after dinner and read a Bible story at bedtime. I usually pray over each child as I check them before I go to bed and petition Jesus or Mary for any concerns I have about them throughout the day. Allan and I have always been part of a prayer group. The children have seen that it has been a priority for us. They have attended Catholic schools, so have had the same values reinforced there as at home. We did a lot of tramping and skiing with the children. This taught them a love of nature, to cope with few possessions and that perseverance can bring great rewards.

In 1994 we took the older four to Canada for three months to a Youth With A Mission base. Allan and I took a Discipleship Training Course. The children joined us for praise and worship, and spent time being home schooled in small groups with vibrant, young Christian adults. This was a step of faith as we didn’t have the finance to go when we committed to the trip. God provided and it was a great experience for us all.

We have been blessed with praying Grandparents. For many years Allan’s parents prayed after lunch. I am sure we are seeing the fruit of that intercession. When we suffered the tragedy of Ross’ death, many people interceded for us. That support and depth of prayer from so many has had a profound effect. I believe Ross continues to intercede for us, giving each of us the courage to fulfill God’s call for our lives.

We baptized each child when they were babies so they were under God’s protection from a young age. We have always taken them to church and sit at the front where they can participate. There has been children’s liturgy in our parish during school term time for over 20 years, so our children heard the gospel, and had it explained at their level until they were ready to understand the homily in the main church. There has usually been a youth group running which has allowed our youth to form great Christian friendships. There has been weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our parish church for ten years. God is honoring the prayers for vocations. Parishioners are also invited to pray for a child preparing for their First Communion. A lady of great faith was given Brenda’s name. She continued to pray for Brenda for years afterwards. On my last visit to her, a few days before she died, I was able to tell her of Brenda’s calling to be a nun. She was elated.

Wellington Diocese and National Catholic groups have also played an important role in the faith formation of our children. Jesus For Real camps at Paraparaumu developed a personal relationship between each child and Jesus. Firepower rallies deepened knowledge of Catholic teaching and showed them the power of prayer. Hearts Aflame teaches the Catholic truths and brings young adults together to encourage each other.

I am pleased that each of our children has developed a relationship with Jesus and is following His calling on his or her life. God has done that, not us. I have not prayed for vocations in the family. I prayed when the children were young that God would bless the Christian upbringing of the spouse He had chosen for each of them, and tried to foster a missionary heart, but never dreamt any would enter religious life. A few months before Brenda announced her intention, a religious sister asked me how I would feel if one of my daughters became a nun. I realized I had some issues to work through and had talked about some of them by the time Brenda shared her thoughts with us.

Each religious order has a different mission and different rules. The Missionaries of Charity serve the poorest of the poor, so they live that way. They don’t have computers or easy access to phones so communication is limited. I find this hard. Mark is able to keep his computer and has internet access so we can communicate regularly. He will be able to return home more often than Brenda. It’s been a lot easier to release Mark to God knowing we can maintain regular contact.

People ask us about grandchildren. This has not been an issue for Allan or me. Maybe partly because we still have children at home, maybe it's part of the grace that comes with the calling. Thank you. May God bless you all.

* Have you any vocations to the priesthood in your extended family or from your parish?

* How are they regarded or acknowledged?

* When careers and vocations are discussed in your family, is priesthood a suggested option? And how would you feel if your son or daughter said they were considering religious life?

* How do you react to the comments of these three priests?

When you are complimented on a sermon that you really worked hard at you know you are not wasting your time.

 When people respond readily for working bees and ministries, you know you are not working alone.

 When people tell you there are five light bulbs blown in the church & they will give you a hand to replace them you know you are building a team.

 When people clean the church without being asked you know you have real parishioners around you.

 When they invite you for a meal you know you belong in the parish.

Have a joke with us and see us as human beings! To encourage us all and treat us in a way that says "you matter".

We are men and as such see things from that perspective — as it says on the Hallensteins’ advert, “ It's good to be a guy!”

Just the expression on people’s faces when they talk to you or say hello ... When they acknowledge your homily.

* In what ways have you been able to support priests—in your parish or as missionaries?

For your own intentions and other needs

A Prayer For Our Priests (Southwark Laity Commission, 1993)

Heavenly Father, grant that our priests be strengthened and healed

by the power of the Eucharist they celebrate.

May the Word they proclaim give them courage and wisdom.

We pray that all those whom they seek to serve may see in them

the love and care of Jesus, our Eternal High Priest,

who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen

Mary,Mother of the Church, look tenderly upon your sons, our priests.

Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, pray for us all.