Nov. 16, 2016 By Catherine Russell Creating a culture of vocation is a diocesan priority. Supporting the laity as they rediscover their call to be holy and disciples who share the Good News is key to forming these parish vocation ministries. Bishop LaValley has approved the diocesan vocation plan, WE ARE CALLED. (Each parish has a hard copy and an electronic version can be found on the diocesan website.) Using the diocesan plan and Mrs. Gruenewald’s book, “Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry,” parishes have the tools necessary to launch a vocation ministry. The day began as Bishop Terry R. LaValley and several diocesan priests celebrated a Mass for religious vocations. Ms. Gruenewald then addressed the group about the importance of this ministry and led them in accessing where their parishes are in the process. Kathy Lauzon from St. Mary’s of the Fort in Fort Covington, one of the first people to take part in this new ministry, said of the day, “As Rhonda said, we are here to till the soil, make it rich, welcoming and fertile so that when the Holy Spirit plants the seed of a holy vocation it will yield a hundredfold!” Ms. Gruenewald, a native Texan and convert to Catholicism, exuded enthusiasm and offered countless ideas for beginning the ministry.
Deacon Larry Ambeau from St. Cecilia in Adams said, “Rhonda’s enthusiasm is contagious! I cannot wait to get our parish vocation group working.” Mrs. Gruenewald also spoke about the key people to look for when starting out: the youth minister and the director of formation/education in the parish. These people are attuned to what can work and who might be discerning a vocation, she said. Kelly Donnelly, diocesan youth director, noted the speaker’s enthusiasm for building a culture of vocations, the “practical and easy to implement strategies” and left the day “feeling motivated to work and hopeful for the future.” St. Joseph Sister Mary Gregory Munger, the chair of the committee who wrote the diocesan vocation plan, also in attendance, was pleased that the day “reinforced our bishop’s priority and gave attendees encouragement and a boost to get started in the parishes.” At the end of the day, participants were sent forth as commissioned ministers of vocation by Father Douglas Lucia, vocation director, and Father Thomas Higman, associate vocation director. Mrs. Gruenewald congratulated the group and noted how heartening it was to see such a vibrant, large audience from a relatively small diocese who want to make a difference and promote priesthood, consecrated life and sacramental marriage in their parishes. “I can’t wait to see how the ripple effect works throughout the diocese and in each parish,” she said. “It will lead to more seminarians, more people in religious formation and more holy marriages.” Kathy Lauzon summed up the sentiment by the end of the workshop this way: “We love our priests and religious. We love sacramental marriage. Here in northern New York we know about working hard to make our tough soil and climate produce good crops. We can do this!” Lunch was provided by the DOVS, Diocese of Ogdensburg Vocation Society with many members also in attendance. Parishioners not able to attend who would like assistance in beginning the ministry, should contact the Vocation Office at 315-393-2920.
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She advocated beginning with a firm prayer foundation. Once that is established, the ministry moves into education. 
