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HOLY ORDERS
 The Sacrament of Holy Orders continues the mission entrusted by Christ to His Apostles and is exercised in the Church until the end of time. Through a special gift of the Holy Spirit involved by prayer, and the laying on of hands, this Sacrament enables those ordained to exercise a sacred power in the name and with the authority of Christ for the service of the people of God. The degrees which make up the Sacrament of Orders are Deacon, Presbyter (Priest), and Bishop.
In the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Orders is reserved exclusively for baptised men. No-one can demand to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders but must be judged suitable for the ministry by the Authorities of the Church. It is the Church that discerns a true vocation and ultimately calls the candidate to ordination.
If you are interested in learning more about the vocation to the priesthood, further information can be obtained from the Vocations Office, Level 11, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, 2000. Phone 9390 5280 or
Email: vocations@sydney.catholic.org.au, Web: www.vocations.cathcom.org.au, or you may wish to discuss this with the Parish Priest.
Vocations to the Religious or Consecrated Life
Not to be confused with the Sacrament of Orders, the Church provides certain blessings which have a lasting importance because they consecrate persons to God. Among those blessings are the Consecration of Virgins, and the Rite of Religious Profession. If you are interested in learning more about a vocation to the Religious or Consecrated Life, further information can be obtained from the Vocations Office or from the Vocations Director of the various Religious Orders and Institutes for men and women.
There are also Blessings for certain Ministries of the Church (Readers, Acolytes, Catechists, etc.). For further information about these Ministries please contact the Parish Priest.
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