God as my Co-Pilot

A friend recently sent me the book “Nobody’s Cuter than You” A memoir about the beauty of friendship. As I sat reading over the weekend I couldn’t help but resonate with several of the short stories not just because I can remember similar instances with my girlfriends but because it echoes my role as a Vocation Director. I was most struck by the point that so often what happens in life can be frustrating and challenging as we sort out the whys and what-ifs, but ultimately God has control. God can show us much better options if we allow him to be our co-pilot in life. This was very evident in my college years; I was in nursing school, playing collegiate soccer, involved in my sorority, working as a Nurse Tech. yet I felt like something was missing. It wasn’t until I stepped out of my comfort zone (with the help of God) and attended a week long mission trip to Guatemala that I finally connected the dots! I was missing out on the simplistic life, the involvement in parish ministry and meeting people where they were in their lives instead of rushing from task to task. While I wouldn’t take back any of the experiences because ultimately I am a better person for them I know now that the missing piece was my faith journey.

Have you had a similar experience? Are you willing to let God be your co-pilot?

High School Presentations

One of the opportunities occasionally given to vocation ministers is to speak with young women in high school about the nature of religious life and why someone would choose to enter in to that way of life. I had the privilege of speaking with a group of girls who are currently juniors earlier this week. What I enjoy most about working with that age group is that they are genuinely curious about the options available to them as they begin to consider life after high school. Helping others to better understand what consecrated religious life is about always reminds me, too, about why I love doing the work of vocation ministry. There is such grace in a moment where a conversation or an answered question opens up new possibilities in someone's life! I hope that my time with those young women was as much of a gift to them as it was to me.

Celebrating the Joy of Religious Life

"Wherever there are....women religious, young people, there is joy!"-Pope Francis

Celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life, men and women religious in Slovenia recently participated in a flash mob.

Watching this video brought a smile to my face! I hope it does to you as well. Can you sense the joy in their lives?

"Reason reckons, love loves."

I absolutely adore this quote from Blessed Theresa of Gerhardinger, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame! (It can be found in the book Trust and Dare, a collection of quotations from her writings organized for each day of the year. Each day's quote is also available on our Pinterest page!)

I think what I appreciate most about this sentiment, "Reason reckons, love loves," is that Theresa captured a powerful truth about the very nature of love and, therefore, of the human experience of God. Love - deep, unconditional, all-encompassing love such as God is and invites us to share in - does not weigh cost v. benefit, does not consider inconvenience, does not shrink from self-sacrifice. The best evidence for this is the event that Christians the world over commemorated in during the Triduum: the self-emptying solidarity with the suffering of the world that Jesus entered in to, the complete and total gift of himself.

During this Easter season we might all do well to reflect on the places in our lives where we are being invited to love in this way. Is there a relationship on which you are putting selfish conditions? An opportunity to be of service to others from which you are shrinking due to the 'cost,' whatever that might be? Perhaps we can each ask for the grace to stretch ourselves a bit further in love.

Trusting God with Your Dreams

It is very rare that I find a TV show that possesses strong values and promotes a simple lifestyle that challenges you to be open to all life’s blessings. Recently I found a show on HGTV called Fixer Upper, I was first intrigued by the southern charm and rehab skills of the couple however over the last few months I found myself humbled by the love, laughter, and simplicity of Joanna and Chip Gaines. This past week Joanna shared her personal story of listening to God in her life and I became even more impressed! As a Vocation Director we are always looking to share stories of discernment in every aspect of life. Taking time to listen and acknowledging where God is calling you can be one of the most awesome experiences of your life. Take a few minutes to watch the video, maybe Joanna's story will inspire you too.

Do you trust God with your dreams?

Happy Easter!

Good Friday Meditation From our Foundress