A Letter from the Vocation Minister

Dear Seeker / Inquirer / Discerner,

There may be different names to describe you, but possibly there is one reason you are reading this letter—you have witnessed for yourself the nudge of God.  Do you feel that there is something you are being called “to do”, or a way in life you are being called “to be” that you have not yet integrated into your daily life?

January 9-14, 2012, is National Vocation Awareness Week!!  This special week began with the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus.  Jesus began his public ministry as he stepped out of the waters of the Jordan to the voice of heaven proclaiming him as “beloved”.  I recently read a reflection (from the Little Blue Book, produced from the Diocese of Saginaw) that “the heart of Christian baptism is not what we wash off, but what we put on; and that through our Baptism we have God’s own life within us”.  The sacrament of Baptism is a grace and gift we have received as children of God.   

John baptized Jesus with water and through our Christian faith, we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit.  That is like having a “Power-Pak” that never goes dry or ever runs out of energy.   So ask yourself, “how do I use that power-pak?  How do I charge up my Baptismal call keeping it alive and fresh in my daily life?”  Like all good gifts, they are meant to be given—so “how do I give this gift of my Baptism to others?”

During National Vocation Awareness Week, we are called to celebrate our own chosen Vocation—whether we live it out in Religious life, Single Life, or Married life.  The word Vocation comes from the latin “Vocare” meaning “to call”.  Through the grace of my chosen way of life, I would like to invite you—yes, YOU—to consider your life now and what God may still be calling you to in further service for the Church.  The life of the Church is dependent upon religious men and women as well as lay ministers and volunteers.

There are various opportunities on-line for information and education on Church Vocations.   Are you still neglecting that inner nudge to follow Jesus out of the waters and into ministry?  A great way to start is by surfing (no pun intended here) the web!  I provide you with several options below:

From the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB):
USCCB Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/usccb#!/usccb?sk=wall)
•    each day of the week, an E-vent will highlight a different vocation in the Church (priesthood, diaconate, religious life, etc.)
•    each day of the week under the “Vocations Retreat” tab on the USCCB Facebook page, the Conference will post a retreat that is ideal for people discerning a vocation. These spiritual exercises follow the lectio divina format, including a Scripture reading, meditation of Pope Benedict XVI, and a closing prayer.  Feel free to share this with those you know who think they may be called to the priesthood or religious life!

USCCB Web site (http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/national-vocation-awareness-week.cfm): new downloadable Prayer for Vocations Card, Prayers of the Faithful, Holy Hour formats, and bulletin announcements.

USCCB Web site video player (http://www.usccb.org/media/video/) under the “Vocations” tab: Salt and Light Television of Ontario, Canada, filmed three new videos at the USCCB Vocation Fair at World Youth Day, Madrid:
•    “USCCB Vocations Fair at World Youth Day”
•    “Witness Awakens Vocations”
•    “Responding to the Call”

USCCB vocation website: http://www.foryourvocation.org/.

Other sites to consider:
www.Vocationnetwork.org
www.relgiousministries.com
www.sistersosf.org
www.toledodiocese.org

The Sacrament of Baptism calls each of us to give of ourselves in the name of Jesus.  So how do you live out that call—your chosen vocation—to be your best self for others?  In what ways do you follow Jesus out of the waters of the Jordan into ministry and service to God’s people?  These are great questions to take to prayer!  Will you?

In closing, I would like to share the following prayer (see below) with you and ask that you join me daily in praying it with spiritual intent.  May our loving God always guide your heart to use your Baptismal gifts in the blessed life you have been given.

Peace,


Sister Julie Myers, osf
Vocation Minister
Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania
419-824-3914
jmyers@sistersosf.org
www.facebook.com/sylvaniafranciscans


Prayer for Vocations by the Sylvania Franciscans
Gracious God,
Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier,
we praise you
for your abundant blessings.

As we continue to follow
in Christ's footsteps,
may we, like Him,
be a welcoming presence to all
we encounter in daily life.
Inspire us and strengthen our efforts
to reach out to others,
especially to young women
who long to make a God-centered
difference in their lives.

May we trust the future
to which you call us.
All Good God, help us all to be
attentive and passionate inviters to the
next generation of Sister members of Consecrated Life.

Breathe new life into us, Spirit of God.
Lead and strengthen us in fostering a
culture of vocation.
Grant that what we sow in faith
may bear fruit in an abundant harvest.

Amen.