GREAT BEND — The Great Bend Catholic Community Vocations Commission wants to make clear that for those who have a yen to serve God’s people, opportunities abound in the local communities and throughout the Diocese of Dodge City.

On Feb. 26, the commission hosted a Mardi Gras Vocation Fair, which included approximately 38 booths, each representing organizations searching for people to offer a bit of time or talent in service of God’s people.

"Vocations are not only about being a priest or sister," said John Moshier, a member of the Catholic Community’s Vocation Commission, "it’s about vocations in life, whether it be a career, volunteering in your Church or in the community, sharing your musical talent, helping with Scouts, teaching the word of God to children or donating blood."

The fair, held at St. Rose Auditorium, included a blood drive in which 20 people made donations. Other organizations included Boy and Girl Scouts, woman Religious organizations, Red Cross, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Catholic Social Service, Golden Belt Hospice, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Barton County Foodbank, religious organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Daughters of Isabella, the Blue Army, Kansans For Life and a variety of the Church’s lay leadership organizations.

According to Moshier, the event was first organized six years ago and has been in Great Bend every two years since. The day is designed to "inform people about different possible vocations that they can commit to, and then invite them to do so. It’s too easy for people to slip into a routine and not listen to the call that God has for them to act in our Church and in our community."

More than 120 people attended, a number that Moshier wishes would have been larger, and a number that he hopes will increase quite a bit with the next fair. "We have attempted to make the fair more family friendly by including activities for the kids, with clowns, a magic act and other presentations." This year, the guest speakers included Chris and Janna Thomas, who spoke on their vocations of marriage and family.

"It was a moving presentation which inspired us to listen to and act upon God’s call for us," Moshier said.