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)

Book Club Discussion Starts Tomorrow!

Our Summer Book Club starts up again tomorrow with Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church edited by Robin Ryan. It is our third and final book for this year. We hope that you will join us in reading and discussing this great read! Check back here each day next week for a quote, reflection, and discussion prompts - we can't wait to see what your perspective is on this book.

Calling and Creativity

"Our calling is deeply connected to our creativity. The truths we long to express in the world and the way we feel moved to give form to beauty are signs of the Spirit at work within us. Vocation is a daily invitation to be fully who we are and to allow our lives to unfold in ways that are organic to this deepest identity."

- Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Abbess of the online community Abbey of the Arts

SSND has been attending ecumenical prayer services in Ferguson

Sister Cathy Doherty, SSND, has been attending ecumenical prayer services in Ferguson. She was recently featured in the St. Louis Review, which is published by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. You can find this excellent article here: http://t.co/cadEyAdAbz

Summer Book Club - Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church

The third and final installment of our Summer Book Club will take place here on this blog next week with Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church. Whether you've been following along as we explored Let Your Life Speak and The Alchemist or are just tuning in now, you are most welcome to take part in next week's fun. Catholics on Call is a particularly engaging and easy read which tackles some essential questions for all of us in short chapters by diverse authors. We hope that you will join us in reading and discussing this thought-provoking collection!

Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church edited by Robin Ryan, CP

August 16-22nd

Order a copy here!

Words of Wisdom from our Foundress

What modes of prayer are helpful to you at this time in your life? How might you deepen your commitment to prayer in order to keep the love of God burning in your heart?

Virtue and Vocation

It is always helpful to hear why others have chosen to do (or not do) something that you are considering for yourself. Global Sisters Report strikes again this week with a gorgeous reflection from Sister Susan Rose Francois on the call we all share to become more virtuous and her call in particular to become a sister. Well worth reading slowly and prayerfully! You can find the article here.