Who We Are : Vocations : Introduction

Vocations for a renewed Catholicism

Dear Friend in Christ,

Welcome to the Vocations page of the United American Catholic Church. My name is Fr. Tom Shortell, Vocations Director for the Church.

In his Confessions, written at the end of the fourth century, St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, describes the condition of every human being when he states, "You have made us, Lord, for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

The restlessness that St. Augustine sees in us all is more acute in those of us who arel drawn to serve God in a missional, sacramental, liturgical or consecrated way. It is this restlessness that has led you here to this Web site, a stop on your journey of faith, where you may ponder such questions as, "Is God really calling me?" "Can I really be a priest or religious?" "Do I have what it takes?"

We are eager to help you in your discernment process and are interested in talking with women and men who feel called to an Independent Catholic environment in which to follow the Master. We are searching for those women and men who by their word and deed make present the living Jesus to all people, who demonstrate a complete desire and devotion to doing the Father’s will, and who seek a spiritual home in which to dedicate themselves to the service of humanity.

Moreover, we are searching for those women and men who want to transcend clericalism, dogmatism and theological traditionalism to be participants in the living religion of Jesus Christ. Guided by our Catholic faith, "What would Jesus do?" (WWJD) is not a cliche, but a call to service, an opportunity to renew and rejuvenate in the hearts and minds of humanity the ideal of religious living exemplified by Christ Jesus.

Single, married and partnered, our clergy are not employed by the Church nor do we receive any remuneration for our services in the form of a paycheck. In the footsteps of the apostles, each individual earns a living in secular employment. If, however, in meeting the mission and objectives of the UACC you are able establish a parish community that supports you financially, you are certainly welcome to do so.

God calls each and every one of us to himself. Ours is an individual and personal response between the Divine Creator and his child. How do you want to respond?

Father Tom Shortell
Vocations Director
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