• Home
    • Summer Events
    • Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel
      • Perpetual Adoration Contact Form
    • How Do I...?
    • Brand Guide
    • Facilities Calendar (Staff Only)
  • I'm New
    • Planning Your Visit
    • Becoming Catholic
    • Joining the Parish
    • The Search
    • About Us
  • Our Parish
    • About Us
    • How Do I...?
    • Clergy and Staff
    • New Parishioners
    • Becoming Catholic
    • Contact Us
    • St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic School
    • Communications
      • Bulletins
      • Weekly Newsletter
        • Weekly Reflections
      • Email list sign up
      • Live Stream
      • St. Matthew Moments Podcast
      • Catholic Times
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Confirmation
      • Confirmation Forms
        • School Confirmation Preparation form
        • Confirmation Saint Name Form
        • Confirmation Candidate Form
      • Confirmation Retreat
      • First Steps in Faith
        • First Steps in Faith Calendar
    • Eucharist
    • Reconciliation
    • Holy Orders
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Marriage
      • Fees and Stipends
      • Preparing Your Wedding Liturgy at St. Matthew
      • Sacrament Inquiry Form
      • Meeting with Clergy and Marriage Prep Coordinator
      • Marriage Formation
      • Witness to Love
      • Growing Your Marriage
        • WMD Novena
        • Date night
        • World Marriage Day Novena
    • Becoming Catholic
    • Funeral Planning
  • Formation
    • The Search
    • Small Groups
      • Small Group Survey
    • Walking with Purpose
    • That Man is You
    • Bible Studies
    • First Steps in Faith
    • Family of Faith
    • Family Life Office
    • Youth and Young Adult
    • RCIA/Becoming Catholic
    • FORMED
    • Vocation Discernment
      • Vocation Resources for Parents
      • Vocation Resources for Youth
  • Ministries
    • Get Involved
      • Full List of Ministries
      • Safe Environment Program
    • Liturgical Ministries
      • Music Ministries
      • Altar Server Information
        • Altar Server Schedule
        • Server Training
        • Server Information
      • Extraordinary Minister Schedule
      • Sacristan and Lector Schedule
      • Become an Usher/Greeter
    • Faith Formation
      • Bible Study
      • The Search
      • Walking with Purpose
      • RCIA/Becoming Catholic
      • Family of Faith
      • First Steps in Faith
    • Service
      • Charitable Works Ministry
      • Ladies of St. Jude
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Legion of Mary
      • Social Concerns Committee
      • Walking With Moms In Need
        • Resources for Moms in Need
      • Julia Greeley Committee
      • Pro-Life Subcommittee
    • Fellowship
      • Athletic Association
      • Youth and Young Adult Ministry
        • Youth Ministry Forms
        • LIFE: High School Spring Retreat
      • Donut Social
      • Parish Festival
  • Family Life
    • St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic School
    • Baptism
    • First Steps in Faith
    • Nursery
    • Religious Education
      • Family of Faith Tuition
      • Family of Faith Calendar
    • St. Matthew Summer Adventure
      • Middle School and High School Volunteer Sign Up
    • Summer Musical
    • Becoming Catholic
    • RCIA for Children
      • RCIA for Children Information
      • RCIA for Children Registration
    • Athletic Association
      • Sports Registration
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Cheerleading
      • Cross Country
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Swimming
      • Track and Field
      • Volleyball
      • Lacrosse-Boys
      • Lacrosse-Girls
      • Wrestling
    • Youth & Young Adult Ministries
    • Marriage
  • Give
    • Online Giving
    • Bishop's Annual Appeal
    • Mary Garden
    • Parish Wishlist
  • Community Support
    • Need Help?
      • Annulment Process
      • Funeral Planning
        • Funeral Planning Form
      • COVID-19 Financial Assistance Form
      • Call to Come Home
      • Prayer Requests
      • Pregnancy Support
      • Divorce Support
      • GriefShare
      • Counseling Services
      • Healing
        • Pornography Use
        • Post Abortion
        • Same-Sex Attraction Support
      • Resources for Moms in Need
      • Domestic Violence Help
      • School Tuition Support
      • Other Support Options
    • Want to Help?
      • Charitable Works Ministry
        • CWMletter
      • Ladies of St. Jude
      • Social Concerns Committee
      • Other Ways to Help
    • St. Matthew School Hometown Bazaar Craft Show
|||
St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Parish


807 Havens Corners Road
Gahanna, OH 43230
(614) 471-0212
Contact Us

  • Contact Us
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Phone
Search
  • Home
      • Summer Events
      • Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel
      • How Do I...?
      • Brand Guide
      • Facilities Calendar (Staff Only)
  • I'm New
      • Planning Your Visit
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Joining the Parish
      • The Search
      • About Us
  • Our Parish
      • About Us
      • How Do I...?
      • Clergy and Staff
      • New Parishioners
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Contact Us
      • St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic School
    • Communications
      • Bulletins
      • Weekly Newsletter
      • Email list sign up
      • Live Stream
      • St. Matthew Moments Podcast
      • Catholic Times
  • Sacraments
      • Baptism
      • Confirmation
      • Eucharist
      • Reconciliation
      • Holy Orders
      • Anointing of the Sick
      • Marriage
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Funeral Planning
  • Formation
      • The Search
      • Small Groups
      • Walking with Purpose
      • That Man is You
      • Bible Studies
      • First Steps in Faith
      • Family of Faith
      • Family Life Office
      • Youth and Young Adult
      • RCIA/Becoming Catholic
      • FORMED
      • Vocation Discernment
  • Ministries
    • Get Involved
      • Full List of Ministries
      • Safe Environment Program
    • Liturgical Ministries
      • Music Ministries
      • Altar Server Information
      • Extraordinary Minister Schedule
      • Sacristan and Lector Schedule
      • Become an Usher/Greeter
    • Faith Formation
      • Bible Study
      • The Search
      • Walking with Purpose
      • RCIA/Becoming Catholic
      • Family of Faith
      • First Steps in Faith
    • Service
      • Charitable Works Ministry
      • Ladies of St. Jude
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Legion of Mary
      • Social Concerns Committee
      • Walking With Moms In Need
      • Julia Greeley Committee
      • Pro-Life Subcommittee
    • Fellowship
      • Athletic Association
      • Youth and Young Adult Ministry
      • Donut Social
      • Parish Festival
  • Family Life
      • St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic School
      • Baptism
      • First Steps in Faith
      • Nursery
      • Religious Education
      • St. Matthew Summer Adventure
      • Summer Musical
      • Becoming Catholic
      • RCIA for Children
      • Athletic Association
      • Youth & Young Adult Ministries
      • Marriage
  • Give
      • Online Giving
      • Bishop's Annual Appeal
      • Mary Garden
      • Parish Wishlist
  • Community Support
    • Need Help?
      • Annulment Process
      • Funeral Planning
      • COVID-19 Financial Assistance Form
      • Call to Come Home
      • Prayer Requests
      • Pregnancy Support
      • Divorce Support
      • GriefShare
      • Counseling Services
      • Healing
      • Resources for Moms in Need
      • Domestic Violence Help
      • School Tuition Support
      • Other Support Options
    • Want to Help?
      • Charitable Works Ministry
      • Ladies of St. Jude
      • Social Concerns Committee
      • Other Ways to Help
      • St. Matthew School Hometown Bazaar Craft Show
  • Vocation Resources for Parents

    • Imagine asking your son what he wants to be when he grows up, and he answers, “I want to be a priest!” What would your reaction be? Would you be worried or elated—or somewhere in between?

      The truth is that God has a plan for each of your children; he wants them to be happy even more than you do! And their true happiness is found in discovering God’s plan for their lives—their vocation—and following it wholeheartedly.

      So if you’re truly concerned about your children’s well-being, it makes sense to help them discern their vocations, whether to marriage, priesthood, or religious life. Here are some simple ways to foster openness to God’s call.

      1. Snuggle up and read a story. Sometimes the simplest ideas are best! Add some books about famous saints to your bedtime reading. There are dozens of fascinating, age-appropriate stories of saints who were priests and religious. There’s even a comic book about St. John Paul II as a child!

      2. Watch a better movie. When it’s time for family movie night, take a pass on Spy Kids 4 and check out A Mission to Love (the life of St. John Bosco). There are tons of other Catholic films that depict heroic and interesting priests and religious. The conversation afterwards is far more meaningful than which explosion was the biggest!

      3. Set the record straight. Media depictions of dating and sexuality are often opposed to authentic love. So when a TV show sends the wrong message, set the record straight about what leads to real happiness. Especially around teens, defend the sacrament of marriage.

      4. Play dress up! Just as children “play house” and pretend to be moms and dads, help them imagine the life of a priest, brother, or sister. A sheet or towel can serve as a sister’s habit. A Ritz cracker makes a good host for Mass. This kind of play normalizes what can otherwise seem to be an “other-worldly” vocation. Plus it’s a lot of fun!

      5. Pray from the heart. In your family prayers, pray for more priests and religious. Let your kids hear you praying for their futures. “Lord, watch over Simon today and give him the grace to grow up to be a strong man of God. Keep him close to You, always in Your perfect will.”

      6. Talk about vocations. Speak openly about vocations to marriage, priesthood, and religious life. From the earliest age, make it clear that happiness in life is following God’s plan. Tell kids that priests have an awesome job because they bring us the sacraments. Teach them that religious brothers and sisters make special vows to live like Jesus.

      7. Befriend priests & religious. Invite a priest, sister, or brother to dinner at your home. Personal relationships are key. When kids are comfortable around Fr. Sill or Sister Paulina, they’re far more likely to be comfortable with the idea of a priestly or religious vocation when they grow older.

      An Open Attitude

      If your child expresses interest in the priesthood or religious life, be supportive. If you’re excited, don’t push too hard. If you’re apprehensive, trust in God’s plan. The best thing you can say is, “Whatever God wants for you, I want for you, too.”

    • Quotes from Parents

      “When my little boy plays Mass, it brings joy to my heart. His older sisters play along, even though they’re trying not to laugh. Who knows if he’ll ever be a priest? It’s just great that his little heart is in the right place. I love that.” ~ Amanda C.

      “It almost broke my heart when Julie joined the convent. But when I visited her a year later, I could see the happiness and joy just radiating from her. My sadness melted away in an instant. I knew she had found her way in life. In retrospect, I’m glad my plans didn’t work out. As hard as it is for me to admit, God had a better plan for her.” ~ Carl R.

      “Our son joined a religious order right after college. We were happy for him, but then he left, saying it just wasn’t his call. But I think it was good that he explored it… He was peaceful when he went in, and peaceful when he left. His mother and I are fine with his decision either way.” ~ Salvatore S.

      “I wanted grandchildren so badly. I hid my disappointment when Colin went to seminary, thinking his interest probably wouldn’t last. By the time his ordination came along a few years later, God had really worked on me. I couldn’t have been prouder. His priesthood has been the greatest gift God has ever given our family.” ~ Jenni P.  

 
As a community of believers who know, love, and serve Jesus Christ, we celebrate the sacramental life of the Church, proclaim the saving message of Christ, and share the love of the Lord, especially with the least, the poor, and the suffering. 
 
Worship + Serve + Evangelize
 

807 Havens Corners Road
Gahanna, Ohio 43230
Phone: 614-471-0212

Office Hours
Monday and Friday
8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday-Thursday
8:30 am to 2:00 pm

 
 
© 2022 St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Parish. All rights reserved.
Login
powered by eCatholic®