Ruffling People's Feathers

Once someone has chosen to really begin discerning a call to religious life - out loud, in conversation with a spiritual director and a particular community or two - they are often asked what might have made them worried/anxious/afraid to take that step before doing so. One of the most common stumbling blocks to pursuing the possibility of a vocation to religious life is a concern about what other people will think. It can be very hard for some of us to reveal the deep desires of our heart to others, even those we care about and believe care about us. For others, the idea of being 'weird' or 'different' is difficult to bear. Still others may be concerned about disappointing family expectations of a lucrative career and/or a big family. These are all valid concerns to have. We human beings are made to be relational, and it may indeed ruffle some feathers if you decide to actively discern a call to religious life. In many, many cases, however, discerners are surprised at just how well their families and friends take their decision in stride. In fact, many are surprised to hear that their family and friends saw it coming! 

It is difficult to describe to those who have not yet experienced it the peace that comes when you choose to be most concerned about being true to what is being whispered in your heart and to what you feel God is inviting you to. Two hints while searching for what this may be for you, today:

1. These two things are probably the same thing, or at least related.

2. God always calls us into deeper joy and freedom (though the trust required to get there can sometimes be a bit scary for some of us).

To Make This Love Visible

To discover and live out one's vocation is a joyful and beautiful process, even if it isn't always easy. If you have ever met someone who is clearly being/doing what they were made to do - whether that is being a parent, fighting fires, or leading others in prayer - then you know precisely what I am talking about. It was obvious that this person was lit up from the inside by the joy that comes from living an authentic life, a life where who you are, what you value, and what you do all line up, all make sense together. I think that this is what our Foundress, Blessed Theresa, is asking for God's help to achieve in her own life in today's quote. She is certainly not alone in this desire! You may want to consider making her prayer your prayer; I know that it is one my heart whispers often.

Day 3, Chapter 3: The Foundations and Dynamics of Prayer

“Prayer is the food for our life with God; without it we suffer from malnourishment.” (Page 44)

I can still clearly remember the day I was confirmed in the Catholic Church. As each student approached the Bishop we were asked a question or two about our faith. I was nervous as my sponsor and I stood in front of the Bishop my heart beating hard and my mind racing, praying for an easy question. My question: “What is your favorite prayer and who taught it to you,” caught me off guard but I quickly answered The Memorare and my parent? As I walked back to my pew I kept thinking to myself how did I get such an easy question….little did I understand then the importance of a solid prayer foundation in my life. Prayers are often one of the first things we teach children. My nephew can quickly recite his dinner prayer and my sister can probably say the Guardian Angel prayer in one breath; we always prayed together as a family, from an early age it was a priority. Yet the older I get the more difficult I find it is to structure significant prayer time in my life. It’s not that I’m too busy or that I have forgotten to pray but perhaps because our foundation of prayer is only taught to a certain level. What once worked in my family home, suddenly doesn’t fit in my personal life. Feeling less than satisfied with how much time I was actually praying, I recall sitting in a graduate Theology class and reading an article much similar to this and things finally made sense. Our individual prayer lives are our unique opportunity to carve out a specific relationship with Christ. In this chapter Robin Ryan, OP, reminds us that that works for me may not work for others but it is mine. I needed to create a sacred space that enabled me to dive into deep conversation with Christ, to be honest, to listen to my heart and make prayer a priority in my daily life; this is always evolving and will continue to as I grow and change as an adult.    

Do you have a strong prayer foundation?

What is your favorite prayer or method of prayer?

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)

The Alchemist - Day 1

"To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation."

Welcome to our discussion of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, the second book of our Summer Book Club! We are so excited to have you here and we hope that you will engage in reading, reflecting, and discussing this book with us this week. 

A short prompt will be posted each day, consisting of a quote, a reflection, and a question or two. Take each of these prompts as a starting point for whatever your reading of the text brings forth! Feel free to answer a question, add one of your own, or respond to what someone else has to say. Some of the prompts will be about general themes or aspects of the book, while others will focus on specific characters and scenes. Feel free to read at your own pace! 

There is so much in The Alchemist to prompt or feed an exploration of vocation and discernment. We hope that taking part in this Book Club might touch your heart in some way, wherever you happen to be on your own journey. 

Coloring as a Way of Praying...

Coloring has always been one of my favorite past-times! I have numerous coloring books or pads of white paper for doodling and when I pack for a long trip my colored pencils are often one of the first items that get added to my carry-one bag. In the last few years significant research has been conducted on the effects of coloring, especially its use in relieving stress and most recently as a way of praying. 

Carl Jung, a Psychology expert noted the benefits of coloring as a way of relaxing and created mandalas as a tool for channeling a person’s stress onto paper. Mandalas are large circular designs with intricate details that often resemble stained glass windows. Often when I find that I can’t find the words to pray or my mind is wondering I pull out a mandala and my colored pencils (crayons or markers work too) and sit in prayer letting my thoughts flow through the details in the mandala and the various colors that I chose. 

Another way using coloring to pray is through a program called Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth. This program offers several techniques to help a person pray through their doodling. The website, www.prayingincolor.com is a great resource. I have used the simple techniques individually and with large groups and I continue to be amazed at how reflecting on a simple prayer or person while doodling can have such a positive impact on me. Not only am I more relaxed but I feel a strong connection to my faith. This is by far one of my favorite ways to pray. 

Here are a few examples of my praying through mandalas, it is my hope that this simple and creative way of praying works for you. 

 

 

 *These mandalas are from the book, Coloring Mandalas 2 for Balance Harmony and Spiritual Well-Being, by Susanne F. Fincher, 2004