Day 1, Introduction and Chapter 1: Answering the Call: Biblical Perspectives

Welcome to the third and final Summer Book Discussion of 2015. From the moment I began reading the book Catholics on Call, I felt challenged by the essays and found them easy to adapt to my life as a young adult. There was finally a book of ministry topics that was geared to my age group! I hope you enjoy the book and the daily reflections.

A New Generation of Leaders:

 "In 2007...One-third of the college students ad nearly half of the diocesan sample said that they had seriously considered lay ecclesial ministry as a future vocation. more than 80 percent of these young adults felt that lay ministry is a call from God....  about 70 percent of the men and one-third of the women stated that they had been encouraged by someone to consider ministry as a priest, brother, or sister."(page 5)

If you are reading this book then you are probably aware of the lack of young adults involved in ministry today and its no surprise that this lack of involvement was listed as a serious problem for the church. Young adults today are much different than they were 10 years ago. Today you will find that young adults are much more accepting of diversity, tech savvy, stressed, and eager to volunteer or find opportunities to experience the "real" world. The church is catching on and over the past few years major emphasis has been placed on teaching, prayer, and inclusion of young adults in parish life and church ministry. Role models such as John Paul II and Pope Francis have encouraged this trend as well as the use of social media, implementing programs for young adults that encourage them to become active participants in their faith, and parishioners who were open to engaging in conversations also helps. A future in lay ecclesial ministry is no long a far fetched idea. Jobs in parish ministry, campus ministry, spiritual direction, etc. are on the rise.



Have you considered a career in ministry?

Is there a priest, religious, teacher, or relative who have encouraged you to become actively engaged in parish life? 

One area that I find always draws me closer to my Call is scripture. The stories of Call in the bible remind me that I am never alone in ministry. Do you have scripture passage that speaks to your vocation or call story?

"We are a pilgrim people, together searching to find our answer to God's call." (page 23)

Day 4 When Way Closes

Summer 2015 Book Discussion

Parker Palmer—Let Your Life Speak

In chapter 3, When Way Closes, Palmer talks about the limits that we and society often place on ourselves as well as the God of reality who will keep us true to our natural being. Palmer also notes that way closing is not always a negative thing. 

“But a lot of way has closed behind me, and that’s had the same guiding effect.” (Page 38)

I underlined this sentence with emphasis as so often in life I find myself getting caught up in way closing. It takes much strength, prayer, and trust to know that often better things are to come. It’s situations like this where my faith truly shines as I enable God to fully direct me to my next adventure. Relationships, jobs, projects, all come to an end but at the end of the day my faith and family will remain strong as long as I place trust in them and their guidance. Faith is not meant to be an individual practice but that of a community, a community that will strengthen, guide, and encourage us through life’s ups and downs.

Learning our Limits…Limits often destract me, I feel as if there are there as a reference; a don’t go too far or you will face a consequence…like a speed limit, set to keep us safe, go too fast and we could receive a ticket or, worse, injure ourselves or others. Parker refers to limits as a way of knowing how far we will challenge ourselves, limits seem to be a guideline of our true strengths and abilities.

“God ask us only to honor our created nature, which means our limits, as well as our potentials. When we fail to do so, reality happens—God happens—and way closes behind us.” (page. 50)

“I Am who I Am.” “One Dwells with God by being faithful to one’s nature. One crosses God by trying to be something one is not.” (Page 51)

Both of the above excerpts sum up the chapter for me. God created each of us with our limits and our potentials, we are who we are and with God at the center of our lives we can dream and do almost anything our heart desires. We must, however, be comfortable with way closing and with natural limits while remaining open to guidance, strength and the God of reality; a God who speaks to our hearts and calls us back to the journey to our natural self.

Questions to reflect on:

1. Can you name a time when way closed in your life? How did that experience make you feel? Looking back can you see the guiding effect it had on your life?
2. Are you able to name limits and potentials in your life?

Let Your Life Speak Day 1

Welcome to our first ever Summer Book Discussion. We are happy that you have decided to join us.  Parker Palmer’s Book, Let Your Life Speak, is a great resource to help anyone discern deeper where the voice of vocation may be calling them.

I have always loved to read. I remember riding my bike to the library weekly during summer break and loading my book-bag with books like The Little House on the Prairie or The Baby Sitters Club, I could sit for hours in the sunlight and easily get lost in the stories. While my reading habits have changed over the years, I still enjoy the opportunity to curl up on the couch with a good novel, or pouring a warm cup of coffee and sitting at my desk with a spiritual book or article and getting lost in the words as my mind grows and expands with the knowledge being gained. 

I remember the first time I read Let Your Life Speak. I was in my twenties and working towards a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies. This book was required reading for my Lay Formation class. As a younger student in the program I remember feeling slightly awkward at times because my personal vocation story was still unfolding while others seemed to know exactly where their life experiences were taking them. As I began reading this book I found the stories to be applicable to my own life, and for the first time I was able to feel like my personal vocation story had substance and meaning. My journaling went from simply answering questions to lengthy reasoning and self-awareness. I hope that this book speaks to you as well.  May you find comfort and peace in the journey you are on. 

Over the next 6 days we will look at each chapter of this book in depth. Feel free to ask any questions or offer important points as you begin to read and apply this book to your life.We will explore one chapter each day...up tomorrow is Chapter 1, Listening to Life.

Blessings

Life is Short Eat Dessert First!

Ice cream is one of my favorite dessert items, I could eat it every day but I enjoy it most when surrounded by family and friends.  Often it is in the sharing of dessert that some of the best stories of life are shared. I can remember attending an ice cream social in high school with the School Sisters of Notre Dame and being amazed at how happy and free-spirited the sisters were, we laughed for hours as we enjoyed our treats.

Over the Summer months various campuses will host Old Fashioned Ice Cream Socials compete with music, activities for families, open houses, conversations, laughter, and of course ICE CREAM! I have found the ice cream socials a great way to interact with the School Sisters. Individuals young and old get to see the sisters laughing and reuniting with former students, families and friends. Watch http://ww.ssnd.org/events and http://facebook.com/ssnd.northamerica for dates and times in your area.

Have you had a similar opportunity to share with a religious? What was the experience like?

Foundress Friday

We love this painting of Blessed Theresa which was done by Franco-Peter Mpagi! Do you have a favorite picture of a family member? What makes it so special?