A Vocations 'expo' will take place in Hayes between 30th April and 3rd May 2009.

This four day expo has been arranged to coincide with Vocations Sunday. In addition to information and stalls there will be a programme of activities to offer information and experiences of discernment. There will be people available for individuals to talk with.

The event will begin on Thursday and Friday at 8.30 am with a prayer liturgy and will run until 9pm. On Saturday the Expo will open at midday and run until 11pm with a special vigil for young adults. On the Sunday beginning at 9am the whole event will close with a special Mass at 3pm.

Throughout these days event will be open to the public for anyone to participate. There will be particular times however that will aim to focus on particular groups. For example schools are invited to bring groups during the daytime Thursday and Friday with some of the presentations geared to the school RE syllabi. We will also attempt to have parish groups bring groups in the evening. The Saturday evening is going to be geared to young adults.

Instead of lots of religious orders presenting similar information we have organised the Vocation Expo so that different religious ‘families’, or congregations with similar apostolic ministries will work together to show the work that they are involved in. In addition to these displays there would be a series of experiential workshops and spaces to highlight the work being undertaken by religious today.

Themes and topics will include

1. The church and sex trafficking

2. The church and the Environment

3. The poor

4. Vocational choice: Different ways of loving?

5. Religious life; a particular way of loving.

6. Discerning one’s own relationship with God.

7. Prayer

8. Question and answer sessions.

9. Discussion spaces.

10. Opportunity for Mass

In an age when often all we hear about the Catholic Church is bad news this is an opportunity to come along and find out the Good News about what the Catholic Church is doing in the world.