MADISON — Worldwide Marriage Encounter in the Diocese of Madison and the Madison Serra Club are joining efforts to celebrate priests on Sunday, Oct. 26, observed as Priesthood Sunday.
In cooperation with the diocesan Office of Vocations, volunteers with Marriage Encounter and the Serra Club are sending cards to all priests in the diocese.
Affirming priests
For 11 years, Worldwide Marriage Encounter has proclaimed a World Priest Day to honor the men who have dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
It is an opportunity for Catholics to thank, affirm, and share their love and support for all priests, diocesan as well as those in religious orders. World Priest Day is celebrated each year on the last Sunday in October.All are invited to join thousands of other Catholics in taking a day to recognize the priests who so faithfully serve by providing the sacraments, spiritual guidance, education, and love as a daily gift.
This can be as simple as sending a special card or making a phone call. Reach out in a special way to acknowledge the priests who have been an important part of your life: your pastors and associate (past and present), the priest who witnessed your marriage, baptized your children, provided consolation during the loss of a loved one, to name a few.
For some, supporting and caring for priests has been an ongoing experience; for others, it may be a new chance to say “we love and value you” to the priests they know.
Online resources
There are ideas for celebrating Priesthood Sunday at the Marriage Encounter website (wpd.wwme.org) or the Serra Club website (www.priestsunday.org).
A “World Priest Day Celebration Starter Kit” for can be found at wpd.wwme.org This site has a “Blessing for a Priest,” sample note cards, and ideas for parish-wide celebrations.
The Serra Club’s nationwide celebration of Priesthood Sunday is sponsored by the USA Council of Serra International and the Serra International Foundation.
More than 11,500 Serrans in over 300 clubs nationwide collaborate with their bishops, parishes, and vocation directors to foster and affirm vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.