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Walk, ride, pray for vocations |
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Written by PAT MORRISON, Sisters of the Precious Blood Communications Director
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Tuesday, 29 April 2008 |
DAYTON, Ohio—“Stepping Up the Call,” an annual pilgrimage for vocations sponsored by the Sisters and Missionaries of the Precious Blood and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, kicks off May 10, at St. Augustine Church in Minster, Ohio.
Based on the ancient religious practice of prayer combined with walking as a spiritual discipline, the pilgrimage — held rain or shine — offers the opportunity to walk and/or drive to seven churches and religious sites across parts of Auglaize and Mercer counties with the aim of increasing awareness that every person has a “vocation,” or call from God. Celebrating all vocations, including marriage and single life, “Stepping Up the Call” puts a special emphasis on the call to be a Catholic priest, deacon, sister or brother.
This year’s pilgrimage begins at 8:30 a.m. with morning prayer at St. Augustine, then moves to St. Joseph Church in Egypt, Ohio, where at 11. a.m. participants are to pray together and hear presentations on the various expressions of vocation in the Catholic Christian tradition.
Lunch at Maria Stein Center in Maria Stein, Ohio, at 1:30 p.m. is to be followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:15 p.m. The pilgrimage concludes at 4 p.m. with the celebration of Eucharist at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio.
Those who are unable to walk all or part of the distance may join the “driving pilgrimage,” which offers additional stops for prayer at Holy Trinity, Coldwater, Ohio; Sacred Heart, McCartyville, Ohio; and Nativity, Cassella, Ohio.
Those who wish to support this vocations effort but are unable to take part in the entire pilgrimage are invited to join in praying at any of the sites: the prayer service at Minster, Benediction at Maria Stein Center and/or Eucharist at Carthagena. Those who live in the area but are unable to make any part of the pilgrimage are still welcome to visit any of the scheduled church stops along the route to pray with the community there.
Healthy snacks along the route and lunch will be provided. Vans will be available to return walking pilgrims to their vehicles.
For more information, contact Precious Blood Sister Carolyn Hoying at 937-231-1244 or vocations@PreciousBloodSisters Dayton.org, or Linda Thieman at 419-678-4403 or
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