Prayer and Discernment

On Tuesday, November 4th, the Office of Young Adult Ministry and Young Catholic Adults (YCA) co-hosted the fall edition of Theology on Tap at Sal’s Bronz Pizza.  Featuring Fr. James Vasquez, the new Vocation Director for the diocese, the evening began with about 40 young adults from different parishes in Taft, Beeville, Annaville, and Corpus Christi mingling and getting to know one another before the pizza and salad bar opened. MCs Sofia Rodriguez from YCA and Siobhan O’Connor, Director of Young Adult Ministry, welcomed everyone.
 
Fr. James then opened the topic of prayer and discernment using the beautiful but puzzling story of St. Joseph, who received God’s will for his life in dreams. From there, he moved on to the importance of daily prayer for actual discernment, which he distinguished from prayerful decision-making, using the analogy of an early-morning view that cannot be seen until more light dawns.
 
Fr. Vasquez then shared his personal story of learning how to discern the priesthood from a call to married life, and how that journey to remain open to God in prayer continues for him in his vocation. He encouraged the young adults present to stay open to God in their own prayer lives and not to be afraid to ask questions and seek more information about various vocations, so that when they do make decisions or discern a calling, they do so with clarity and courage, like St. Joseph. Answering several written questions from the audience, he also invited everyone to cultivate a life of virtue, which is a fruit of genuine prayer and a heart that desires to serve God and others.
 The evening ended with a group photo and a priestly blessing from Fr. James. The young adults were happy to have a chance to hear more about this topic, and they were also glad that newly ordained priests Fr. Jim Craig and Fr. Luis Lozano were able to join! The next Theology on Tap will be on February 17, 2026, for Mardi Gras.
 
For more information about upcoming Young Adult Ministry events, contact Siobhan O’Connor at [email protected] or reach out to the YCA leadership team at [email protected].