Father Keith Romke is director of the Diocese of Rockford Vocations Office. He agreed to talk about how someone finds a vocation and about what’s new in the office. Below are some of the questions that were posed to Father Romke's and his responses.

Q How do you introduce the idea of vocations to young people?
A When speaking at grade schools and high schools about vocations, I love asking them to think about some of the toys that they played with when they were very young.
The one in particular that I think gives us a perfect analogy with vocations is the wooden box that has various shapes cut-out from each of the sides along with corresponding wooden blocks that are shaped perfectly so as to fit through the different holes.
Of course there is only one hole that each block can fit through, so you have to find the perfect match. Otherwise the inside of the box remains empty.
I love this toy because I think it matches up perfectly with our hearts!

Q How does a toy tie our hearts to vocations?
A Each of us has a specific calling that God has placed upon our hearts. So too there are limitless options available as to what we could do with our lives.
However, just like with the wooden box, there is a specific shape out there that has been made just for that specific hole.
Just like the box remains empty until the right shape passes through the correct hole, so too our hearts will remain unfulfilled unless we ask God to help us discover what vocation will match up perfectly with our heart.

Q What is the next step someone should take after thinking about what shape is in their hearts?
A I ask everyone to pray for himself or herself and for others within the diocese so that all of us might discover what specific purpose God has made our hearts for.
I also ask for prayers for those who have answered the call so that they can remain steadfast in carrying it out! Our prayers are what will help each of us and countless others to answer the question: “What am I called to do?”

Q What else can individual Catholics do to help build vocations? Is there anything new coming up?
A Yes, there is. I am happy to announce that with the help of so many wonderful priests of this diocese, as well as creative input and suggestions from the men and women in our phenomenal parishes, and of course with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the vocations office’s “wooden box” is filling up more than ever before!
In light of this I am excited to tell you about the many exciting projects and events that you can look forward to throughout the year.
The first program that we have begun to put forth into the parishes of the diocese is the Vocations Prayer Chalice Program.
This program enables families from each participating parish to sign up to bring a specific chalice home to put in a place of prominence for one week.
During this time the whole family gathers once a day to read reflections, take time to pray, and discuss questions that are proposed in a booklet that accompanies the chalice.
My hope is that this program will enable many families to see vocations in a beautiful, positive, and life-giving light.

Q You said “programs.” Are there more?
A Yes, there are. The next new program that we are offering is “Called to Pray.” It highlights the fact that all of us has a vocation to pray for each other and especially for the young men and women of our great diocese.
Within this endeavor I have scheduled an event at a different parish in the diocese each month. I’ll be there to host each event.
Each evening will feature a 30 minute talk that will apply both to the “big picture” idea of particular vocations, as well as to the day-to-day living out of our universal call to holiness.
Following the talk we will have a hour of Eucharistic Adoration that will have further reflections, some silence, as well as some reflective praise and worship music that I’ll lead with my guitar.

Q Who should come to “Called to Pray”?
A My hope is that men and women of all ages will feel called to attend, regardless of whether they are currently discerning a vocation or if they’ve been faithfully living out their vocation for 50 or more years.
I hope, too, that many people will desire to attend all eight evenings and not simply come to the one closest to them. There will be a fresh topic and talk each month.
The evenings will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m.

Q Is there anything specifically for young men?
A There is a new opportunity that will be available to young men considering the priesthood. It will be a discernment retreat, “Listen to the Lord,” for high school and college aged guys at Bishop Lane Retreat Center Dec. 27-28.
My hope is that this will offer a chance to listen to the Lord, rather than to the noisy culture around us.

Q Do you have any suggestions for those of us who might not be able to get to an event or want to do more?
A We want to encourage everyone in the diocese to join us in personal prayer for vocations on a daily and even an hourly basis.
This happens on your schedule, wherever you see fit, and however you best communicate with the Lord!
I want to continue to invite everyone to pray every day for your own holiness as well as the holiness of others and in particular for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our great diocese.
The bottom line is that there is no reason why every soul in the Dicoese of Rockford shouldn’t be filled with the blessings that were designed particularly for them. So let’s all do our part to help fill the hearts of those around by helping those we encounter to find the path the God has for them.

Q What if someone feels called to religious life? What should he or she do?
A If you have any questions, please visit our website at www.rockvoc.org or feel free to call me at 815/399-4300.

.