Youth ministry

A special diocese vocations day is being offered to introduce young students to the beauty and diversity of Catholic vocations in a way that is joyful, engaging and age appropriate. 
 
“Step Up to the Plate: Say Yes to God’s Call: A Catholic Vocations Day” is a new experience sponsored by the Office of Catechesis and Youth that welcomes fourth- and fifth-grade students from across the Bismarck Diocese. The day is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Mary's Academy in Bismarck.
 
Vocations are not merely about what someone will do in life; they are about who God is calling them to be. Whether that call leads to the priesthood, religious life, the diaconate, marriage or dedicated single life, every vocation is rooted in love and service. Introducing young people to these possibilities during the formative elementary years can make a lasting impact.
 
While children may seem young to begin thinking about their future, research shows that many vocations first take root during the elementary years. According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, 35% of ordinands to the priesthood in the Class of 2025 first considered a vocation between the ages of 6 and 13. The study, The Class of 2025: Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood, prepared for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, reveals that more than one-third of men ordained this year began discerning while still in elementary school. Between 2014 and 2025, that number has averaged 29%, ranging from 19% to 38%.
 
Those statistics are both encouraging and challenging. They remind us that the seeds of a vocation are often planted early—and that the Church has a responsibility to nurture those seeds. Vocations Day aims to do exactly that.
 
About the day
 
Throughout the day, students will learn about the many ways one can live out a Catholic vocation. Presentations and personal testimonies will be offered by priests, the bishop, deacons, seminarians, religious brothers and sisters and married couples. Each speaker will share how they first heard God’s call, how they responded and what their daily life looks like now. The goal is not to pressure students into choosing a particular path, but to help them understand that every baptized person has a calling and that following God leads to joy.
 
By hearing directly from those living these vocations, students will see that priests and religious are not distant or mysterious figures; they are real people who once sat in school desks just like theirs. They will also learn that marriage, too, is a sacred vocation and an important path to holiness. In presenting a wide range of vocations, the day will emphasize that God calls each person uniquely and lovingly.
 
Because fourth and fifth graders learn best by doing, the day will include hands-on activities alongside the talks. Students will have the opportunity to write letters of encouragement to seminarians, offering prayers and support as they continue their formation. This simple act helps young people recognize that vocations flourish in a community that prays for and supports one another.
 
In keeping with the baseball theme of the day, participants will also create baseball rosary keychains—a reminder that prayer can be part of every aspect of life, whether on the field, in the classroom or at home. Each student will also receive a set of baseball cards of their favorite “players” on God’s team to trade with friends or take home. The baseball theme will continue with interactive games such as “baseball jeopardy,” where students can test their knowledge about vocations and the faith, and even a friendly game of whiffle ball with priests, seminarians and other adult participants. These activities reinforce an important message: joy and holiness go hand in hand.
 
Lunch will be provided and will carry the fun baseball theme as well, featuring classic ballpark favorites like hot dogs and soda. Snacks throughout the day will include pretzels and popcorn, helping to create an atmosphere that feels festive and welcoming. The hope is that students associate talking about vocations not with pressure or seriousness alone, but with joy, community and excitement.
 
Parents are warmly invited to take part in the day. They may join their children for the presentations and activities or choose to remain in the chapel for quiet time in prayer. A designated space will be available for parents who wish to spend the day praying specifically for their children and for an openness to God’s will in their lives. After all, parents play the most significant role in fostering vocations. When children see their parents praying and trusting God, they learn to do the same.
 
A simple invitation
 
The statistics from CARA confirm what many in youth ministry have long believed: children begin wondering about their future much earlier than we might think. If 35% of newly ordained priests first considered their vocation between ages 6 and 13, then fourth and fifth grade is not too early—it may be exactly the right time. A simple invitation, a meaningful encounter or a joyful witness can plant a seed that grows quietly for years before coming to fruition.
 
Vocations Day on April 18 is ultimately about planting those seeds. It is about creating space for God’s voice to be heard amid the busyness of school, sports and activities. It is about helping young people recognize that God has a plan for their lives—and that His plan is always good.
 
As students leave St. Mary's Academy at the end of the day, the hope is that they will carry home more than a handmade rosary keychain or memories of a whiffle ball game. The hope is that they will carry a deeper awareness that they are loved, chosen and called.
 
And perhaps, years from now, some of them will look back and remember that it was in fourth or fifth grade—at a simple day focused on vocations—that they first began to wonder how God was calling them to serve His Church.
 
—Staff report