July 27, 2006
Operation Andrew hits Southeast Texas this week. Although it's not a military operation or an evacuation plan, Operation Andrew is expected to be just as challenging and life-changing for many.
Operation Andrew's objective is to help men discern whether they have been called by God to the Catholic priesthood. On the front lines are priests of the Diocese of Beaumont who are being asked to act as "modern-day Andrews". Andrew is the disciple who, in the Gospel of John, led his brother Simon Peter to Jesus.
Each pastor in the diocese has been asked to invite one young man of either high school or college age to a convocation scheduled for Saturday July 29, 2006 from 9am to 2pm, at Infant Jesus Church on Highway 69 in Lumberton.
"This program is unique because priests are being asked to bring young men to this day of prayer," said Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD. "Many young priests and seminarians have said they became aware of their vocations through their parish priests."
Father Andy Moore, Director of Vocations for the diocese, is also asking each parish in Southeast Texas to emphasize vocations to the priesthood during their Masses on the weekend of July 29-30, perhaps by the priest including the idea in his homily.
In recent years, the Catholic Church in the United States has been facing a shortage of priests. "I believe the Holy Spirit continues to call men to the priesthood," said Bishop Guillory. "However, I think in our very materialistic world filled with iPods and Internet, it is sometimes hard for young men to hear this call to a life of service."
"The day of prayer will offer these young men a time away from all that distraction. I think it is also important for those of us who have already been invited to follow Jesus - as Andrew was - to personally invite others to be receptive to a call from Our Lord and Savior."