Vocation Pocket Notes are a collaborative project between MOTA & the National Coalition for Church Vocations. This series is dedicated to the memory of Sr. Peter Mary Hettling, CSJ, whose passion for Vocations was an inspiration to all who worked with her. "Thank you Sr. Peter Mary!"

Pocket Notes:3-3/8" x 2" cards tucked into a sturdy carrier and closed w/ a stretch loop. They feature "Invitation" words on the front with a Scripture. Back sides offer a reflection.

Read the inspiring messages of all 21 cards below. Scroll to the bottom of this page to select quantity you wish to order. See also option to order acrylic holder.

FRONT: COME FOLLOW ME “Come, follow me..” Mark 1:17. BACK: Imagine that Jesus is calling you to follow as a priest, brother, or sister. How do I feel? How do I respond? Companion God, may I be open to your call.

COME AND SEE. Jesus: “What are you looking for?” Disciples: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Jesus: “Come and see.” Jn 1:38-39. BACK: What am I looking for in my life? Where am I looking? God of the Journey, may I find mentors who can help me in my search.

BE STILL “Be still and know that I am God." Ps 46:11. BACK: How do I become still to know God? What gets in my way of being with God? God of My Longing, help me create a space in my life for prayer.

VOCATION "I have called you by name, you are mine." Is 43:1. "Remember, Christ is calling you; the Church needs you; the Pope believes in you, and he expects great things of you!" Pope John Paul II. BACK: How do I experience God calling me? What are my greatest fears about God's call? O God, help me listen to my heart and trust in your love for me.

MISSION "Here I am, send me!" Is 6:8. "Do not be afraid to say 'yes' to Jesus...giving yourself completely to the pursuit of holiness, and using all your talents in the service of others." Pope Benedict XVI. BACK: How do I see myself responding to the call to bring good news to others? How do I want to make a difference? Holy Spirit, give me courage to respond to your call each day.

LISTEN "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." 1 Sm 3:10. BACK: How can I recognize the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd? What voices do I listen to as I consider my life choices? Patient God, quiet me and help me hear your voice.

DISCERN "Choose life that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, Your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him." Dt 30:19-20. "The Lord will help you to know his will; he will help you to follow your vocation courageously." Pope John Paul II. BACK: God's will is that we may have life to the full. Jn 10:10. What gives me life? Does the decision to be a priest, brother or sister give me life? O Wisdom, guide me as I seek a spiritual companion and/or vocation director for help in discerning my vocation.

CONSECRATE "Consecrate them in the truth." Jn 17:17. "I hope that many young men and women, inspired by sincere, apostolic zeal, will consecrate their own lives to Christ and the Church." Pope John Paul II. BACK: Do I sense a call from God to the consecrated or ordained life? Am I open to the possibility of such a call? Why? Why not? Jesus, the Anointed One, take away my fears, and bless me with the gift of a listening heart.

CHARISM “Fan into flame the gift that God gave you.” 2 Tm 1:6. “Charism is embodied in the relationships the community members have with each other, with the world around them, and with God.” Sue Torgersen, CSJ. BACK: What special blessing do I bring to others? How can I grow into all that God has in mind for me? Married life? Single life? Consecrated life? Ordained life? Spirit of the Living God, stir within me a passion for Gospel living.

COVENANT "I have made a covenant with my chosen...given my servant my word." Ps 89:4. BACK: Do I trust in God's promise of faithfulness and love? Have I made a covenant with God? Faithful God, I want to celebrate your love forever!

BELOVED OF GOD "You are my beloved, with you my favor rests." Lk 3:22. "May you experience the truth that Christ looks upon you with love." Pope John Paul II BACK: What happens in me when I am called 'Beloved of God'? When have I experienced the power of God's love for me? How do I relate to others as "Beloved of God'? Lord, give me a heart that blesses everyone I meet with your love.

BAPTISM "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Gal3:27. "On the day of your baptism...you received the greatest gift of your life...you were incorporated into Christ." Pope Benedict XVI. BACK: What does my baptism mean to me? How am I living out my baptismal call? God, empower me to live out my baptismal call.

HOLY "Blessed be God who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing... as he chose us in Christ... to be holy." Eph 1:3-4. "Do not be afraid to be holy! Have the courage and humility to present yourselves to the world determined to be holy..." Pope John Paul II.

PRAY "Nothing is equal to prayer: for what is impossible it makes possible..." St. John Chrysostom. "Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God's call." Pope Benedict XVI. BACK: What invites me to pray? How has prayer made a diffenence in my life? Come, Holy Spirit, help me trust your voice within me and around me.

VOWS "I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people." Ps 116:14. "The way of the vows is our way to live fully human lives--lives that are open to divine action and sensitive to divine realities, lives that are spent healing, comforting, serving and seeking justice." Religious Leadership of the Archdiocese of Milw., 1998. BACK: Can I be poor in spirit and be happy? Can I be obedient and be free? In what ways am I already living a chaste life? How can I grow in understanding of the vows? Spirit of Understanding, grant me insight to know if a vowed or ordained life is a life-giving choice for me.

COMMITMENT "We have come to know and believe in the love God has for us." 1 Jn 4:16. "Commitment ultimately means surrender of ourselves, in faith, hope and love to Father, Son, and Spirit who have first entrusted themselves to us." Excerpted from "Called by God" BACK: When have I made a commitment? What difference did it make? To what or whom can I make a commitment? Do I know and trust myself and God to make a life-commitment? Come, Spirit of Courage, give me grace to entrust my life to God.

CHOSEN BY GOD "You did not chose me. No, I chose you, and I commissioned you to go forth and to bear lasting fruit." Jn 15:16. "Out of profound gratitude for having been chosen, we irresistibly yearn to respond to the divine initiative." from "Called by God" BACK: What difference does it make that God chose me? How will I know what God has chosen me for? What happens if I choose not to respond to God's invitation? Provident God, thank you for choosing me as your own.

LIFE CHOICE "I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full." Jn 10:10. "In the depths of your heart, the place where your true feelings live and the place where God's Spirit touches yours, you hold your decision about your life choices." S. Clare Wagner, OP. BACK: When I imagine myself married or single, what feelings arise in my heart? When I imagine myself as a sister, brother, priest, or deacon, what feelings arise in my heart? What gifts do I bring to these? Life-giving God, show me how I can best choose life to the full.

SERVE "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Mk 9:35; "Welcome and serve Jesus in your brothers and sisters." Pope John Paul II. BACK: Do I have a desire to make a difference in our world? In what ways do I serve others? How do I work for justice? Gracious God, enlarge my heart to serve you through service to others.

WITNESS "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses." Acts 1:8; "You must have the courage to speak about Christ." Pope John Paul II. BACK: Who has inspired me to live the Christian life? How am I a witness of Christ to others? Holy Spirit, help me be witness of Jesus with my life.

CALLED BY NAME "I have called you by name. You are mine." Is 43:1c. BACK: How am I invited to respond to God's call? By what names does God call me? Gracious God, thank you for calling me by name. Help me to respond to your call with a compassionate heart.