God's plan is for all of us to be with Him one day in heaven. We all have a
God's plan is for all of us to be with Him one day in heaven. We all have a

vocation, and we're all called to union with God in love. His whole desire is to
vocation, and we're all called to union with God in love. His whole desire is to

make us happy, and to bring us back to be with him forever.
make us happy, and to bring us back to be with him forever.

The best vocation is God's will; there's nothing better than God's will. It's just
The best vocation is God's will; there's nothing better than God's will. It's just

how the Lord wants to work through each one of us, and He knows. He's got that
how the Lord wants to work through each one of us, and He knows. He's got that

kind of hidden in our hearts. And when we pray, and when we're attentive, that
kind of hidden in our hearts. And when we pray, and when we're attentive, that

becomes obvious - the way the Lord wants to use us. The vocation to
becomes obvious - the way the Lord wants to use us. The vocation to

religious life - I think it's misunderstood a lot. Sometimes people say:
religious life - I think it's misunderstood a lot. Sometimes people say:

'Oh, it's an interesting career you've chosen,' and I always say, 'Well, it's not
'Oh, it's an interesting career you've chosen,' and I always say, 'Well, it's not

really a career.' The closest thing to someone who hasn't
really a career.' The closest thing to someone who hasn't

experienced it that I can explain is falling in love with someone and getting
experienced it that I can explain is falling in love with someone and getting

married. Some people think 'Oh gosh, you're a Sister; that must be really a sad life.'
married. Some people think 'Oh gosh, you're a Sister; that must be really a sad life.'

And it's so absolutely the opposite, that when we do whatever God calls us to do,
And it's so absolutely the opposite, that when we do whatever God calls us to do,

what we do totally fulfills us, and makes us very happy so it's an extremely
what we do totally fulfills us, and makes us very happy so it's an extremely

happy life, as well. I believe that our young people today: They need to first
happy life, as well. I believe that our young people today: They need to first

believe in themselves - believe that God has called them because He loves them.
believe in themselves - believe that God has called them because He loves them.

There's a line that I love in John: "It's not so much that you have loved me, but
There's a line that I love in John: "It's not so much that you have loved me, but

that I have loved you." And I think our young people today, along with older
that I have loved you." And I think our young people today, along with older

people, as well, but they often receive a message that they have to first prove
people, as well, but they often receive a message that they have to first prove

their love to God. Get to know yourself, believe in yourself, but recognize that
their love to God. Get to know yourself, believe in yourself, but recognize that

that God is going to use you and He's gonna love you in ways they didn't think
that God is going to use you and He's gonna love you in ways they didn't think

were possible. The vocation to marriage is a way of expressing God's love. We are
were possible. The vocation to marriage is a way of expressing God's love. We are

the domestic church and that's our vocation is to love Christ through each other, and
the domestic church and that's our vocation is to love Christ through each other, and

through our children, and through all the other people that we get to know in our
through our children, and through all the other people that we get to know in our

family life. I heard a wonderful homily from a priest in vocations week one year
family life. I heard a wonderful homily from a priest in vocations week one year

he said, 'You have to ask yourself how did God make you to love?' God wants you to
he said, 'You have to ask yourself how did God make you to love?' God wants you to

love your vocation; He calls us each to do what he has in
love your vocation; He calls us each to do what he has in

in His mind, but that doesn't mean that any one vocation is better. Every single
in His mind, but that doesn't mean that any one vocation is better. Every single

vocation, whether you're a priest or a nun, or you're married or single, we are
vocation, whether you're a priest or a nun, or you're married or single, we are

all called to be a gift of self. We aren't truly happy until we give of
all called to be a gift of self. We aren't truly happy until we give of

ourselves fully in love. Hello, this is Bishop Michael Burbidge, speaking to you
ourselves fully in love. Hello, this is Bishop Michael Burbidge, speaking to you

during National Vocation Awareness Week. Certainly a reminder that God has
during National Vocation Awareness Week. Certainly a reminder that God has

created all of us in His image and likeness, and has a divine plan for each
created all of us in His image and likeness, and has a divine plan for each

one of us. This week provides us an opportunity to renew our 'Yes' to God's
one of us. This week provides us an opportunity to renew our 'Yes' to God's

call, and to pray in a special way for the grace we need to live in a manner
call, and to pray in a special way for the grace we need to live in a manner

worthy of the call we have received. Dear brother priests, I encourage you to renew
worthy of the call we have received. Dear brother priests, I encourage you to renew

your 'Yes' to fervent prayer for the Church and the people you serve, for the
your 'Yes' to fervent prayer for the Church and the people you serve, for the

faithful proclamation of the Gospel, the reverent celebration of the Sacraments.
faithful proclamation of the Gospel, the reverent celebration of the Sacraments.

Dear consecrated religious, renew your 'Yes' to poverty, chastity and obedience.
Dear consecrated religious, renew your 'Yes' to poverty, chastity and obedience.

Dear deacons, renew your 'Yes' to imitate the humble service of Jesus, who washed
Dear deacons, renew your 'Yes' to imitate the humble service of Jesus, who washed

the feet of his disciples. Dear married couples, renew your 'Yes' to
the feet of his disciples. Dear married couples, renew your 'Yes' to

one another, and to the Lord, so that you will be that visible sign of His love
one another, and to the Lord, so that you will be that visible sign of His love

for His bride, the Church, a love that is sacrificial and permanent and faithful
for His bride, the Church, a love that is sacrificial and permanent and faithful

and life-giving. For all of us, this is a special opportunity to renew our 'Yes' to live in
and life-giving. For all of us, this is a special opportunity to renew our 'Yes' to live in

integrity and holiness of life. And my dear young friends in Christ, who are
integrity and holiness of life. And my dear young friends in Christ, who are

discerning your vocation, God's plan for you: Where is the Lord leading you? Of
discerning your vocation, God's plan for you: Where is the Lord leading you? Of

course, you will only be able to discern through prayer, a prayer that also allows
course, you will only be able to discern through prayer, a prayer that also allows

for silence, so that you can hear the Lord speak in His Word, His message to
for silence, so that you can hear the Lord speak in His Word, His message to

your heart. I always suggest to those discerning their vocation in life to
your heart. I always suggest to those discerning their vocation in life to

make sure the question you're asking is not, 'What am I going to
make sure the question you're asking is not, 'What am I going to

do with my life?' but rather, 'Lord, what is it you're asking me to do with my life?'
do with my life?' but rather, 'Lord, what is it you're asking me to do with my life?'

Because when we say 'Yes' to that call, we will know the peace and the joy and the
Because when we say 'Yes' to that call, we will know the peace and the joy and the

serenity we are seeking. And so dear friends in Christ, we pray for one another in a
serenity we are seeking. And so dear friends in Christ, we pray for one another in a

special way during this National Vocation Awareness
special way during this National Vocation Awareness

Week: That we will offer a fervent 'Yes' to the Lord, to God's call in our lives, and
Week: That we will offer a fervent 'Yes' to the Lord, to God's call in our lives, and

that with His divine assistance, we will live in a manner worthy of the call we
that with His divine assistance, we will live in a manner worthy of the call we

have received.
have received.