Cardinal Cormac: "renewal programme will encourage vocations"

Speaking following Sunday's Ordination to the Diaconate of two Westminster seminarians, Philip Dyer-Perry and Michael Dunne, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, highlighted the importance of the At Your Word, Lord Diocesan renewal programme as a means of promoting and encouraging future vocations to the priesthood. At Your Word, Lord, which will be launched on Friday 26 September with a Mass for 12,000 people at Wembley Arena, will provide a focus for spiritual and personal renewal across the Diocese. The Cardinal said: "It was with great joy that we welcomed Philip Dyer-Perry and Michael Dunne to the Diaconate on Sunday. They have made a commitment of service to God and to the community of His Church and we, as that community, thank them and will keep them in our prayers. "They are embarking on their ministry at an important time for Westminster Diocese as we seek new ways of deepening and strengthening our faith in a process of Diocesan and parish renewal called At Your Word, Lord. "As we look forward to the launch and first season of At Your Word, Lord, we remember what Our Lord himself said: 'Put out into deep waters and pay out your nets for a catch' (Luke 5:4). Like Peter we may say, at first, that we have worked hard already and caught nothing, but with faith, prayer and hearts open to the unique calling God has for each and everyone of us, we too will succeed, and perhaps more than we can now imagine. "When people ask what can we do for vocations, I say the answer is not just to pray for more priests, it is to seek a renewal of the whole Church. When you have a renewal where there is faith that is lived out and expressed generously and bravely, then we will get vocations and we will get priests." source: Archbishops House