Ralph
Bishop of Hallam
Pastoral Letter
To be read at all Masses on the weekend of 10 – 11 May 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ
I am pleased to have this opportunity to be with you through the written word today, to mark this 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
In the Gospel chosen for today’s Mass, Jesus identifies himself as the one who lays down his life for his sheep. He uses the image, to help the people catch a glimpse of who He is and the special relationship He has with them and they with Him. Also, He is aware that the Father has entrusted to Him the whole of the human family and chosen Him as leader, protector and nourisher. This is a role He plays to perfection to the point of laying down His life for those entrusted to His care.
Within the family of the Church, we are all called at different times in our lives to guide, to protect, and to nourish those who are placed in our care. However, the title “Shepherd” is used in recognition of those who exercise a particular role of service within the Church – Sister, Brother, Priest, Deacon, Bishop. Today, Vocations Sunday, we are asked to remember them in prayer especially and, in particular, that others will join their ranks.
At the Chrism Mass, barely a month ago, I invited the people gathered to pray for vocations to the diocese. The prayers have never been more urgent. For the first time in the history of the diocese, there is no one in priestly formation.
In a previous Pastoral Letter for Vocations Sunday, I said: “Vocations promotion is the work of the Holy Spirit and prayer is at its heart. If we do not ask for vocations, we should not expect vocations.”
So, I would urge you once again to pray earnestly for vocations as individuals, parishes and families. In particular, that the Lord will raise up priests to serve in the Diocese of Hallam.
This year’s Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations was written at the Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis spent the last few weeks of his life. Therefore, his words take on an added urgency. The message contains these final words to the young people with whom he struck up a special relationship.
“Dear young people, ‘your youth is not an ‘in-between time’. You are the now of God (Christus Vivit, 178). Realise that the gift of life calls for a generous and faithful response. Look to the young saints and blessed who responded joyfully to the Lord’s call: Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Dominic Savio, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, the soon-to-be canonized saints Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, among many others …They experienced their vocation as a path towards true happiness through friendship with the risen Lord.”
I know that there are many generous hearts among the young people of our diocese. I have experienced this at first hand. In that spirit of generosity, I encourage you to be open to the possibility that the Lord is calling you.
With this in mind, to you, I extend an invitation to join me on Saturday, 24 May, 11.00 am at Bishop’s House, 75 Norfolk Road, Sheffield S2 2SZ, for coffee … no strings attached. Pope Francis concludes his message with these words: “Dear young people I entrust your efforts to follow the Lord to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, Mother of Vocations. Keep walking as Pilgrims of Hope in the path of the Gospel! I accompany you with my blessing, and I ask you please to pray for me.”
