St. John the Baptist Parish in the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, has never sent a parishioner into the seminary or religious life. It is a shocking statistic for the native Nigerian pastor, Fr. Emmanuel Akalue, whose home country counts seminary enrollment in the thousands.
“God can make a way where there is no way,” said Fr. Emmanuel.
After beginning Catholic Leadership Institute’s Good Leaders, Good Shepherds program in August of 2007, Fr. Emmanuel realized with the right tools, his leadership could open up new doors for individuals who are discerning where God is calling them to serve.
Mid-way through the program, participants are introduced to techniques that assist them in creating and building effective parish teams. These teams are established to support the mission and vision of the faith community. Seeing a need to offer greater guidance to individuals discerning a vocation, Fr. Emmanuel sponsored what he titled; the Vocations Commission of St. John the Baptist Parish. “I felt challenged to facilitate something so desperately needed, not only in this parish but in the faith community at large,” said Fr. Emmanuel.
Fr. Emmanuel structured the Vocations Commission to provide a means for parishioners to prayerfully discern their calling. Each meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in an open discussion with priests and nuns who will share their vocation experience. “Without the proper education and encouragement from the faith community, it is difficult for an individual to discern such an important calling,” said Fr. Emmanuel. In reality, he stresses, it truly requires “a team effort.”
Using the tools in Good Leaders, Good Shepherds, Fr. Emmanuel has enlisted parishioners
who will serve on the team and it will be their charge to establish key responsibility areas and SMART goals for this new ministry. “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds has empowered me with the knowledge and pastoral confidence to establish an initiative like the Vocations Commission. I really feel with the help of Good Leaders, Good Shepherds I can do great things,” said Fr. Emmanuel.
Fr. Emmanuel has a clear vision for the Vocations Commission work. “I would like to see one young man and one young lady pursue a vocation from our parish each year.” Just imagine if every parish set that SMART goal?
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