Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church began the Vocations Chalice Program to provide a focal point for prayer, to foster and promote vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life, and to encourage its members to fulfill their own Christian vocation to service.

 We are all aware of the need for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and to the religious life. But sometimes we forget just how powerful praying for an increase in vocations can be. If we pray with the faith of the widow of Zarapeth, our cup will never run dry! We will always have priests to bring us Jesus in the Eucharist.

Each week at a Vigil or Sunday mass, before the recessional, the presider will call up a family, individual, or couple forward to receive the Vocation Chalice, pre-arranged through a sign-up schedule. They receive a blessing and take the chalice home, putting it in a place of honor.
 
Each day for a week, during prayer time (morning, bedtime or at meals), they pray for an increase and perseverance of vocations. The following weekend they return the Vocations Chalice to the church.

A prayer journal also travels with the Vocations Chalice. Each week the family, individual, or couple that has the cup enters a thought, prayer, or scripture verse. Over time, this diary becomes a spiritual journal for the parish.

Praying for vocations is the most powerful way to support vocations. A vocation is a call from the Holy Spirit, a gift from God that is nurtured in prayer. When we pray for vocations, we lift up to our Father those men and women who he is calling in a very special way. We hope that those who bring the cup home will continue to pray for vocations daily.