The Valley Catholic April 24, 2018 | Page 6

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COMMUNITY

April 24 , 2018 | The Valley Catholic

time , I discovered God ’ s unique call for my life was leading towards marriage ; one year later , while working for the diocesan vocations office , I met Hung . In May of 2017 , while those around us prayed for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life , Hung and I took the next step towards our own vocation to marriage , a vocation that , if we live it to the fullest , will build up the Church in far more ways than we can imagine now .

The complementarity of vocations to the priesthood , marriage , and consecrated life was never more prominent to me as it was in that moment in the monastery one year ago . Each vocation in the Church deepens our understanding of the other . Without marriage , we could not begin to grasp the relationship of Christ and His Church or comprehend the self-giving love of God that is required in the daily life of husband and wife . Without consecrated men and women , the culture would fail to see the joy that comes from laying down one ’ s life totally for others and becoming consecrated , set apart , for Christ . Without priesthood we would be without the Sacraments , without the Eucharist that feeds us to live out our vocation , without spiritual fathers to lead us and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ .

How will we raise up the next generation of priests and consecrated men and women ? Most importantly we will do it

through prayer , in our churches and in our homes , praying with and for our own families for more religious vocations .

Through my work to help others discover and fulfill their vocations , I am ever more convinced that next to prayer , the greatest thing that you and I can do to encourage young people to discover their vocation is by letting our own encounter with Christ transform our daily life and vocation .

As we give our lives , our gifts , our voices to God more each day , He is able to call forth priests and religious through our joyful example as disciples and through the invitations we extend to share in the joy that comes from giving all to Christ .

By Liz Sullivan

The 12 th Annual Revs vs . Sems Basketball Challenge will have a slightly different look when the two teams square off on May 12 , at 7 p . m . This year ’ s game will take place at Archbishop Mitty High School , and is happening about two months later than usual .

Mitty hosted the first game where

the Sems defeated the Revs in double overtime . Previously the game had been played at Santa Clara University ’ s Leavey Center , but it is currently being renovated . Also , officials from the Diocese of San Jose feel this is a great opportunity to connect with local Catholic high school students .

“ In its 12 th year , this game continues to draw every group from every age and culture in our diocese ,” said Father Joe

Kim , Director of Vocations for the Diocese of San Jose . “ It has been an entertaining way for the whole Catholic Church to appreciate the vocation of priesthood . The priests could use a win this year .”

The Sems hold a 7-4 lead in the series after winning last year 45-34 . It will also be somewhat of a homecoming for the seminarians from the Diocese of San Jose as they have spent this year attending Mundelein Seminary outside

of Chicago after previously schooling at Saint Patrick Seminary and University in Menlo Park .

Also participating in the game will be seminarians from the Dioceses of Wichita , KS , and Sacramento .

Tickets are $ 10 general and $ 5 for students . All proceeds from the game benefit the Seminarian Foundation . Visit www . dsj . org / basketball for more information .

DSJ Vocations Office presents :

$ 10 Regular $ 5 Student

vocations @ dsj . org / dsjvocations @ dsjvocations @ diocesesanjose # revsvssems