Father Tom McCarthy, O.S.A.

What roles do you have in vocation ministry?

I'm one of three vocation directors for my congregation, the Order of St. Augustine. I also just became a member of the NRVC editorial board.

How long have you been involved in vocation ministry?

Eight years.

What do you enjoy most about this ministry?

I really enjoy sharing with discerners what I love: my Augustinian life. As I speak about our life as Augustinians it makes me reflect on the gift it has been and is to me and so many others. It is an absolute joy walking with young (and not so young) men as they anxiously search for God's will in their lives. Their excitement is contagious!

 Has being a member of NRVC been helpful to you?

Yes. I've found the workshops I've attended, especially as a new vocation director, to be very helpful and encouraging. I also really enjoy reading about timely topics and the experiences of other members in the NRVC publications. 

What has been your best vocation outreach effort?

The Vocation Culture Project that my community started four years ago. Each year we produce a poster with pictures and other information about our men in formation. We hand it out in every one of our parishes and schools. We produce large versions for bulletin boards and such, but the unique part is that we hand out 30,000 small home-sized posters for everyone to take home to display and use as a prayer tool. We ask people to pray for the men on the poster, themselves, and all young people they know who are still discerning their vocational call.  We ask for prayers that all might be faithful.

What are your most important internal efforts for vocations?

A key to our vocational ministry is asking all our communities and individual friars to pray, invite, and encourage. We also ask our communities to open wide the doors of our friaries to welcome people in and experience our Augustinian religious life.

Reach Father Tom at frtomosa@stritahs.com.