All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church

About Vocations Our Catholic Diocese of Shreveport, so much in the minority in north Louisiana, is a mission diocese. Vocations at the service of the Church on mission. The Risen Jesus gave to the Apostles this command: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mt 28: 19 ), assuring them: I am with you always, to the close of the age (Mt. 28: 20 ). The Church is missionary in herself and in each one of her members. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, every Christian is called to bear witness and to announce the Gospel, but this missionary dimension is associated in a special and intimate way with the priestly vocation. In the covenant with Israel, God entrusted to certain men, called by him and sent to the people in his name, a mission as prophets and priests. He did so, for example, with Moses: Come God told him I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth my people out of Egypt.When you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you will serve God upon this mountain (Ex. 3: 10 and 12 ). The same happened with the prophets. Among those totally dedicated to the service of the Gospel, are priests, called to preach the word of God, administer the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, committed to helping the lowly, the sick, the suffering, the poor, and those who experience hardship in areas of the world where there are, at times, many who still have not had a real encounter with Jesus Christ. Missionaries announce for the first time to these people Christ's redemptive love. Statistics show that the number of baptized persons increases every year thanks to the pastoral work of these priests, who are wholly consecrated to the salvation of their brothers and sisters. In this context, a special word of thanks must be expressed to the fidei donum priests who work faithfully and generously at building up the community by proclaiming the word of God and breaking the Bread of Life, devoting all their energy to serving the mission of the Church. Let us thank God for all the priests who have suffered even to the sacrifice of their lives in order to serve Christ.. Theirs is a moving witness that can inspire many young people to follow Christ and to expend their lives for other, and thus to discover true life (Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, 26 ). Vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life can only flourish in a spiritual soil that is well cultivated. Christian communities that live the missionary dimension of the mystery of the Church in a profound way will never be inward looking. Mission, as a witness of divine love, becomes particularly effective when it is shared in a community, so that the world may believe (cf. Jn. 17: 21 ). The Church prays everyday to the Holy Spirit for the gift of vocations. Gathered around the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, as in the beginning, the ecclesial community learns from her how to implore the Lord for a flowering of new apostles, alive with the faith and love that are necessary for the mission. I am often asked, especially by young people, why I became a priest. Maybe some of you would like to ask the same question. Let me try briefly to reply. I must begin by saying that it is impossible to explain entirely. For it remains a mystery, even to myself. How does one explain the ways of God? Yet, I know that, at a certain point in my life, I became convinced that Christ was saying to me what he had said to thousands before me: Come, follow me! There was a clear sense that what I heard in my heart was no human voice, nor was it just an idea of my own. Christ was calling me to serve him as a priest. And you can probably tell that I am deeply grateful to God for my vocation to the priesthood. Nothing means more to me or gives me greater joy than to celebrate Mass each day and to serve God's people in the Church. That has been true

Believers Worship Center, located in Benton, Louisiana, is a diverse community dedicated to living out the teachings of Christ, emphasizing love and unity among its members. The center invites individuals from all walks of life to grow in their faith through engaging services and study opportunities. Committed to worship, fellowship, and the Word of God, Believers Worship Center encourages its congregation to deepen their relationship with God while striving to share His love with the broader community. With various ministries catering to adults, youth, and children, the center aims to equip all members to fulfill their divine calling. Generated from the website

Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Shreveport, LA serves as a center for the global religious organization dedicated to spreading Bible-based teachings and spiritual guidance. They offer a wide array of literature in hundreds of languages, including magazines, books, and multimedia materials, focusing on providing practical advice and discussing spiritual matters. Engaging in voluntary community efforts and disaster relief, they actively reach out to the public through door-to-door evangelism and educational initiatives. At the heart of their mission, Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Shreveport fosters a sense of community support and hosts gatherings and assemblies to strengthen members' faith and encourage deepening their understanding of scripture. Their values revolve around promoting family unity, upholding moral principles, and extending compassionate care to those in need, all deeply rooted in their fundamental biblical teachings. Generated using this brand's available information