Each year, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations invites us all to reflect on the precious gift of the Lord’s call to embrace the Gospel. This Sunday however, being Good Shepherd Sunday, Pope Francis has asked us in a particular way, to pray for vocations to the priesthood. In his prayer, the Pope implores Our Father in heaven that the hearts of young men be filled with the Spirit of courage and love and for families to be filled with grace, to discern and encourage priestly vocations.

I remember when I felt the call to the priesthood. I was working a full time job as a Civil Engineer, and I had my career mapped out before me. I had life goals and ambitions to fulfil but God had other plans! When the call from Our Lord came to me, at first, I was shocked, even a little angry; I could not believe God was de-railing all my best-laid plans. In the beginning, I tried to ignore the desire to become a priest, but the call persisted. A few weeks later, as I stood in my parish church looking up at the tabernacle, I finally accepted the Lord had called me and that my happiness was in doing his will, not mine. Looking back I can now see it was fear that prevented me from immediately saying ‘yes’. I feared what people would say and I feared the unknown, but God blessed me with a loving parish who encouraged me and strengthened me to go forward and so, I plunged into the unknown with God.

Six years later, as I now approach my ordination, the greatest lesson I have taken from my experience is this… God is Good and I would happily plunge a thousand times over into the great unknown with Him - over and over again! For with God there is nothing to fear, there is only love! If you feel Our Lord is calling you, Rejoice! His ways are better than our ways, his plans are better than our plans. If you think, you see someone who has a vocation let them know, you may be the sign they are waiting for. Finally, I implore you myself, please pray for vocations, support vocations and above all encourage families to foster vocations. May God bless you all.


With prayers - Fr Richard, Fr Ephrem, Deacon Robert and all the parish team.

We continue to pray for ‘light not heat’ in Israel and Gaza, Ukraine and Russia and other places of war and conflict around the world at this time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PARISH ALPHA COURSE * PARISH ALPHA COURSE * PARISH ALPHA COURSE * Curious about Faith?

WHEN? Thursday evenings 7-8.30pm Starts THURSDAY 18th APRIL for 11 weeks
WHERE? Our Lady of Fatima parish centre, Commonwealth Avenue, White City, London W12 7QR

Join a series of group conversations that freely explore the basics of Christian faith in an open, friendly environment. At each session you'll be hosted in a small group and watch an episode on a different key question of faith - then you have a chance to share your thoughts and hear what others think. You can say anything you like, or nothing at all!
Everyone's welcome! You're invited, no matter what your background or beliefs. It's free and there's no pressure to come back.
To sign up please visit - https://rb.gy/fy9aay or email Izzy @ whitecityyoutheva@rcdow.org.uk