2016 VISION Vocation Guide

A resource of the National Religious Vocation Conference

2016 Catholic Religious Vocation Discernment Guide

HOLY YEAR OF MERCY DEC. 8, 2015-NOV. 20, 2016

VOC ATION GUIDE VocationNetwork.org | VocationMatch.com

DARE TO

S

ERVE

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THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS VOCATION DISCERNMENT GUIDE

National Religious Vocation Conference Executive Director Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C.

Publisher TrueQuest Communications, L.L.C. Executive Director Patrice J. Tuohy (pjtuohy@truequestweb.com) Marketing Director Daniel Grippo (writingdan@yahoo.com)

Editorial/Print & Digital Executive Editor Patrice J. Tuohy Managing Editor/Production Anne Marie O’Kelley (annemokelley@truequestweb.com) Managing Editor/Editorial Jennifer Tomshack (jenniferrebecca@truequestweb.com) Content Editor Carol Schuck Scheiber (contenteditor@VocationGuide.org) Art Direction/Cover Design Patrice J. Tuohy

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Online Services/Web Programming ideaPort, LLC President: Curtis Long VISION is a publication of the National Religious Vocation Conference, 5401 South Cornell Avenue, Ste. 207, Chicago, Illinois 60615; nrvc@nrvc.net; www.nrvc.net ©2015, National Religious Vocation Conference Published by TrueQuest Communications, 53 West Jackson Blvd., Ste. 1140, Chicago, IL 60604-3619; phone: 312-356-9900; fax: 312-356-9903; e-mail: mail@truequestweb.com; www.truequestweb.com.

Printed in the United States. ISSN 1083-0804. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from TrueQuest Communications.

Manuscripts are welcome. For writer’s guidelines and other editorial inquiries, contact Carol Schuck Scheiber at contenteditor@VocationGuide.org Request additional copies: Order online at VocationNetwork.org/orders; e-mail mail@VocationGuide.org; or call 800-942-2811.

Interested in being a VISION advertiser/sponsor?

Please call Dianne Potter at 800-942-2811.

All ads are subject to publisher’s review and must be in line with VISION’s mission to promote Catholic religious vocations.

The NRVC does not specifically endorse any advertisements.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE In pursuit of greatness

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HE COVER of this year’s VISION was taken at a drugrehab center outside of Buenos Aires where then-Cardinal Jorge Bergolio chose to wash the feet of young addicts on Holy Thursday as a sign of hope and compassion. This humble act, which he has repeated a number of times as Pope Francis, is meant to assure marginalized people—addicts, prisoners, those with afflictions and disabilities—that their lives do not have to be defined by their mistakes or misfortunes. Mercy is theirs for the taking.

Some are shocked to see the leader of the universal church in such a lowly position. But, in fact, such servitude is the call of Jesus: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant” (Mark 10:44).

As you discern the path you follow toward Christ, remember that it will be one of sacrifice and service and ultimately, if you have chosen wisely and well, one of great joy.

Don’t rush your decision. Take time to listen to where God is calling you. Read through the pages of VISION and consider the vocation options available to you. Go through Vocation Match online to help you narrow your search. Contact a vocation director. Attend events hosted by religious communities in your area.

All of VISION’s resources are specifically designed to help you prepare for your next great adventure: The one in which you dare to swim against the tide; dare to love, and dare to serve!

—Patrice J. Tuohy, VISION Executive Editor

The world celebrates the Year of Consecrated Life

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ATHOLICS around the world have been commemorating the first-ever Year of Consecrated Life in many ways since it kicked off in November 2014. The special year—invoked by Pope Francis— continues until Feb. 2, 2016.

It’s been a great year of celebration. Dioceses have hosted special Masses and events honoring sisters, nuns, brothers, and priests. Religious communities have held special liturgies, prayer services, retreats, and outreach events, including videos, blogs, and social media campaigns. There have even been a few flash mobs featuring singing nuns and priests. Let us know how your diocese or community is celebrating the remaining days of the Year of Consecrated Life. Email us at editor@vocationnetwork.org.

Please make sure that VISION Vocation Guide and other VISION resources, such as parish packets that include sample homilies and bulletin inserts, are on hand wherever Catholics gather during the Year of Consecrated Life and beyond. Parish resource packets are available in print and online. Order your free vocation resources at VocationNetwork.org/ orders or call 800-942-2811.

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Sign up for the award-winning E-Vocation, VocationNetwork.org/newsletter, to receive updates and inspiration throughout the year.

NRVC UPDATE

I

N HONOR of the Year of Consecrated Life, the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) has planned several Brother Paul events that we hope Bednarczyk, C.S.C., will raise awareness NRVC Executive Director of men and women in consecrated life and ensure the future of religious vocations.

This past February, NRVC hosted the first-ever International Vocation Conference in Rome. The gathering welcomed leaders and vocation directors from major vocation centers around the world to explore common challenges and opportunities to promoting religious life and welcoming new members into our communities. We are confident that the information we shared and commitments we made to continue to collaborate will prove fruitful.

In September 2015, we begin a series of gatherings at universities across the United States on the theme: “Today’s Catholic Sisters: Who they are. Why we need them.”

Featuring the authors of New Generations of Catholic Sisters, we hope to raise awareness and support for current and future Catholic sisters.

Please plan to join us. We want to spread the good news about the lives and work of Catholic sisters to all Catholics. Learn more at nrvc.net.

Finally, through the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, we have conducted a study on religious life and the family. The results, to be published in the fall of 2015 to coincide with the pope’s attendance at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, should provide insights into the important role the family plays in encouraging religious vocations.

—Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. NRVC Executive Director Enter #025 at VocationMatch.com VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2016 | 5

CONTENTS

VISION 2016 CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS VOCATION DISCERNMENT GUIDE

12 RELIGIOUS SIGHTINGS

RELIGIOUS LIFE

8

28

Nuns, priests, and brothers in the news

Stay tuned for the young and the religious SISTER SUSAN ROSE FRANCOIS, C.S.J.P.

Sidebar: A long-time religious

PRAYER & DISCERNMENT

12

SISTER GRACE SWIFT, O.S.U.

Discern the real you BRIAN DOYLE

18

looks forward

38

The paths of prayer

PHOTOS BY FATHER LAWRENCE LEW, O.P.; TEXT BY CAROL SCHUCK SCHEIBER

SISTER CHRISTA PARRA, I.B.V.M.

24

Do-it-yourself discernment retreat

A Dominican’s day—timeless and timely

44

THE VISION EDITORS

¡Viva la diferencia! The colorful future of religious life

38

CAROL SCHUCK SCHEIBER

56

50

8 secrets to healthy celibacy CAROL SCHUCK SCHEIBER

56

62

VISION SPOTLIGHT

66

Instruments of God for the sake of the poor

Contemplate the cross JENNIFER TOMSHACK

PHOTOS BY BROTHER JAMES JOOST, F.S.C.; TEXT BY JENNIFER TOMSHACK

COMMUNITY DIRECTORIES

72

Men’s Communities Search

5 things that surprised me about religious life

85

Women’s Communities Search

107

Other Communities

CATHERINE LOFTUS

Many of the articles you see here and in prior issues of VISION are available in Spanish and French. Find them online at www.vocationnetwork.org.

Cover photo: CORBIS IMAGES Cover design: PATRICE J. TUOHY

122 Starting the week off right

154

FATHER JOHN HERMAN, C.S.C.

SISTER GEMMA SIMMONDS, C.J.

128 Josephites have a dream TEXT BY CAROL SCHUCK SCHEIBER; PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE JOSEPHITES

Love and sex are simply divine

158

6 things Pope Francis wants you to know CAROL SCHUCK SCHEIBER

MISSIONARIES

114

134

Fighting gangs one youth at a time CAROL SCHUCK SCHEIBER

SISTERS

90

Saying “yes” to the Lord every moment SISTER MARIA KIM-NGÂN BÙI, F.S.P.

108

142

Called home

PRIESTS Finding a call across the miles JOSÉ VELÁZQUEZ, O.S.C.

128

My unlikely journey to brotherhood

66

BROTHER WILLIAM SPRAUER, O.S.B.

Feeding the poor enriches the lives of sisters KATE OATIS

75

80

BROTHER BRIAN POULIN, F.M.S.

Why being single and living as a sister aren’t the same SISTER COLLEEN GIBSON, S.S.J.

114

BROTHERS

ART OF DISCERNMENT BEING CATHOLIC

148

164

PATRICE J. TUOHY

5 ways to share the faith on social networks SISTER MAXINE KOLLASCH, I.H.M.

God awaits, always

INDEX

166

Community Advertiser Index

169

Calendar of events

ONLINE AT

VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Vocation Match Service Complete an online profile and find the vocation/community that might be right for you.

Community Search Events Calendar Videos/Apps Vocation FAQs Questions Catholics Ask SpiritCitings Blog Spanish/French Resources Digital Edition

RELIGIOUS SIGHTINGS MEN WITH HOPE TO BRING

F

FILMMAKER BROTHER NICH PEREZ, C.S.C. (third from left) with his crew: Khiry Hollowell, Michael Schultz, and Kiefer Szumlas.

ILM INSTRUCTOR and filmmaker Brother Nich Perez, C.S.C. is director, writer, and editor of a full-length independent documentary about Catholic brothers that is intended to inform and inspire people about this vocation.

Perez and his collaborators have started showing Bro: Men With Hope to Bring at high schools and colleges connected to Catholic

POPE’S SCHEDULE Tuesday, Sept. 22 Arrival in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, Sept. 24 Visit to the White House Address to Congress Thursday, Sept. 24 Arrival in New York City Friday, Sept. 25 Address to United Nations Saturday, Sept. 26 World Meeting of Families Prayer Service, Philadelphia Sunday, Sept. 27 World Meeting of Families Mass, Philadelphia

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brothers around the United States, and they hope to do the same in Latin America.

“I asked myself, what can I do as a young religious with a film background?

How can we use that tool [of film] to make God known?” Perez says. The film “looks at what a brother is and why these men give up their lives to be brothers.”

In 2009 he started shooting footage of the men in his own congregation, Brothers of Holy Cross, and over time he branched out, although Holy Cross men remained a focal point. He and several volunteer collaborators had amassed 200 hours of video interviews involving 150 Catholic brothers in 25 congregations in the United States, India, and Brazil.

His own film students at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana, donated time, as did former students now working in the film industry. A Kickstarter campaign helped them raise some of the $100,000 of project costs.

Learn more at brofilmhope.com.

Pope’s U.S. visit includes attendance at World Meeting of Families

P

OPE FRANCIS IS SCHEDULED to visit the United States Sept. 22-27, with stops in Washington, D.C. and New York City, before arriving in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, during which families from around the world will gather to pray, learn, and celebrate the gift of the family.

The Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family organizes the World Meeting of Families and describes it as “a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe

POPE FRANCIS is scheduled to visit the U.S. in September for the World Meeting of Families.

and highlight the value of families to the good of society.” This is the first time it will be held in the United States. The official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is “Love is our mission: the family fully alive.”

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RELIGIOUS SIGHTINGS BBC meets Vocation Match VISION VocationMatch.com is “rather like using an online dating site to find the perfect partner,” said reporter Caroline Wyatt in a British Broadcasting Company (BBC) report about our award-winning online discernment tool. The May 2015 broadcast (www.bbc.com/news/ uk-32774408) ) featured young women who have found their ideal partnerships in religious communities by using Vocation Match. They are among the tens of thousands of men and women who have found suitable religious vocations or compatible religious communities by using VISION VocationMatch.com since it was introduced in 2007.

HILTON FOUNDATION SUPPORTS CATHOLIC SISTERS • A Nun’s Life Ministry, spearheaded by two sisters, helps people explore their vocation options through conversations about God, faith, and religious life.

• Communicators for Women Religious is a professional association for communicators for Catholic sisters whose goal is to promote understanding of women religious, enhance their image, and advance their mission.

• Conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious and Leadership Conference of Women Religious the two leadership conferences for Catholic sisters.

• Giving Voice for Catholic sisters under 40 has started a leadership training program for younger sisters.

A FEBRUARY 2015 international meeting of leaders from national vocation conferences was sponsored by VISION’s publisher, National Religious Vocation Conference, and funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. It was among dozens of Hilton Foundation-funded projects aimed at strengthening Catholic sisters and religious life.

H

• Global Sisters Report highlights the diverse ministries of Catholic sisters around the world.

OTEL MAGNATE Conrad N. Hilton created a foundation that in part focuses on Catholic sisters. Since 2013, the foundation has worked to broaden and deepen the impact of sisters around the world by strengthening their congregations and the many organizations that support them. Projects designed to collectively bolster sisters and increase public awareness about their lives and work include:

• National Catholic Sisters Week, now in its third year, is a nationwide celebration of Catholic sisterhood, celebrated in 2016 the week of March 6-12.

• National Religious Vocation Conference, a professional organization for vocation directors (and the publishers of VISION Vocation Guide), has initiated several programs in recent years to invigorate new membership in women’s communities.

Know thyself, be a better priest “I RESISTED it at first but then realized that it would be good for me and the community to get some answers. . . . The advantage of having the diagnosis is that now I know why I have been ‘different,’ and knowing that, I can be a better minister and a better community member.”

—Father Greg Schill, S.C.J. on his diagnosis of Asperger’s. Read more about Schill’s journey of acceptance and advocacy at sacredheartusa.org/vocations/meet-our-members.

SHARE YOUR SIGHTINGS

If you spot a member of a religious community in the news, please e-mail the details to us at mail@vocationguide.org.

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FIND AND FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE!

Download the app for digitalvocationguide.org.

RELIGIOUS SIGHTINGS Books for discerning religious life A Sacred Voice Is Calling, by John Neafsy (Orbis, 2006) Becoming Who You Are, Insights on the True Self from Thomas Merton and Other Saints, by Father James Martin, S.J. (Hidden Spring, 2006) Brothers: An Inside Look,

by Brother Larry Schatz, F.S.C. (Saint Mary’s Press, 2002)

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation,

by Parker J. Palmer (Jossey-Bass, 2000) Sisters: An Inside Look,

by Sister Kathleen Rooney, S.S.J. (St. Mary’s Press, 2001) The Art of Discernment: Making Good Decisions in Your World of Choices, by Stefan Kiechle (Ave Maria Press, 2005)

Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church, edited by Father Robin Ryan, C.P. (Liturgical Press, 2010)

Vocations Anonymous: A Handbook for Adults Discerning Priesthood and Religious Life, by Sister Kathleen Bryant, R.S.C. (Rogationist Publications, 2014)

Discerning Your Vocation: A Catholic Guide for Young Adults, by Community of the Beatitudes (Alba House, 2014) Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life,

by Father Henri J. M. Nouwen (Harper Collins, 2015) Discover Your Path: Best of VISION Vocation Guide, edited by Patrice Tuohy, (Kindle Edition, 2014) God’s Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God’s Will, by Father Mark Thibodeaux, S.J. (Loyola Press, 2010)

Path to Spiritual Awakening, by Sister Rose Mary Dougherty (Paulist, 2009) The Way of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision Making, by Elizabeth Liebert (Paulist, 2008) Tuning in to God’s Call,

by Father Andrew Carl Wisdom, O.P. and Sister Christine Kiley, A.S.C.J. (Liguori, 2012)

2016 designated Year of Mercy

U

NDERSCORING A MAJOR THEME of his papacy, Pope Francis has announced a jubilee year to be called the Holy Year of Mercy that begins Dec. 8, 2015 and lasts until Nov. 20, 2016.

In April 2015, the pope issued a special statement reflecting on the nature of mercy and his hopes for the year. “Jesus asks us also to forgive and to give,” Pope Francis said. “To be instruments of mercy because it was we who first received mercy from God. To be generous with others, knowing that God showers his goodness upon us with immense generosity. ‘Merciful like the Father,’ therefore, is the ‘motto’ of this Holy Year. In mercy, we find proof of how God loves us. He gives his entire self, always, freely, asking nothing in return.”

Read the full address, “Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy,” at vatican.va.

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PRAYER & DISCERNMENT

JONNY GREEN, FLICKR

Discern the real you LASZLO BENCZE

by Brian Doyle

Brian Doyle is the editor of Portland Magazine at the University of Portland and the author of the recently published A Book of Uncommon Prayer (Ave Maria Press).

TURN OFF your phone. Take off your mask.

Open your heart. Letting yourself really listen is the beginning of discernment.

God rarely makes booming announcements about what you should do with your life. Quite the opposite, it takes a lot of quiet to hear God inside you.

D

ISCERNIMENTO. It means, according to an Italian friend, not making a total and complete fool of yourself.

He and I were talking about the word discernment in its various contexts, and how both of us, growing up Catholic, thought vaguely that the word meant waiting around to be picked for the holy all-star team with the same shout I Am Who Am! that Moses got.

Both of us, at the tender age of 13, had visited a seminary, he in Palermo and me in New York, and both of us had sat in chapels there, diligently trying to discern if we were being called by the Lord to selfless service, but neither of us felt anything at all except increasingly hungry for lunch. My friend said all he thought about were girls and soccer, and all I thought

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about were girls and basketball. Finally I slipped out of the dank chapel to the gleaming seminary basketball court to make the most of that lovely gymnasium before our parish priest drove us back to the city, sighing at our total lack of discernment.

Listen to Yourself Later, though, I learned that the word meant something like downshifting, and listening, and pondering, and praying, and pausing, and contemplating, and waiting a moment before doing something headlong. It didn’t mean caution, or shillyshallying, or hesitating, quite— it was more like losing your ego, or trying to. It means getting out of your own way and allowing some quiet sense of perspective and priorEnter #479 at VocationMatch.com

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“

Discernment isn’t sitting around waiting for a booming voice to send driving directions for your life.

ity and honest passion to insist on itself. It means not being in charge, not being sure of yourself, not being in command—in a real sense it means not being any of the things considered cool in our culture.

I suppose it means, if we are really blunt, trying to listen to something we cannot explain very well, for which we have to use the essentially useless word God. If ever there was a word that didn’t cover anything of that which it purports to mean, it’s the word God—“worst nickname ever,” as the fine essayist David James Duncan says.

But think of it this way—Christ liveth in me, as old prickly, thorny, complicated Saint Paul said. So discernment, it seems to me, isn’t sitting around waiting for a booming voice to send driving directions for your life; it’s downshifting your ego and your desires and your dreams, ever so gently setting them on the shelf for a moment, and trying to hear the quiet voice of the You under and beyond the person you are in the world. Does that make sense? I think you know exactly what I mean—the You who knows full well when you sinned, though no one else will ever know; the You who feels ashamed and embarrassed after you are snide and rude and cutting and sarcastic and cruel, though you would never admit that to a soul. Call that interior You whatever you like. Call

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THE CONSECRATED LIFE! • • • •

What is it?

How is it lived out?

How does it differ from other calls?

How do I know if I’m called to a Consecrated Life?

• What must I do to find out?

For answers to these and other questions, contact:

Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn (631) 418-8522 fbbvocations@gmail.com

THE

FRANCISCAN BROTHERS OF BROOKLYN

have been answering God’s call to holiness and evangelization, through their vowed communal life, prayer, education, and apostolic work.

Pope Francis is calling us to help carry out a New Evangelization; to rebuild our Church, with joy and hope as Francis of Assisi had done and God may be selecting you to do it as a Franciscan Brother.

YES, YOU! Why not?

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“

I learned to stop thinking and cogitating and measuring and weighing and just be still and let the bones of real things present themselves.

But I learned, slowly and haltingly and awkwardly, to let go of personas and masks; to stop trying to be what I thought others wanted to see; to push past the easy thing, and reach for the harder and more complicated and absolutely more painful thing. In a real sense, I learned to stop thinking and cogitating and measuring and weighing and just be still and let the bones of real things present themselves—to let the tide of intellect and desire ebb for a while, and see what strong true things were present under the muddy swirl.

Lose track

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it the voice of the Mercy that spoke everything into being. Call it the shard of the light that lives in every soul, and is the actual miraculous Resurrection, with total respect to the empty tomb long ago. Call it conscience, soul, awareness, awakening, epiphany, satori, your better nature, your deepest music, your original thrum, your unadorned self, the one who has taken off all masks, 16 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

shucked all personas. That one.

I know what I am talking about here because I was so unbelievably awful at discernment deep into my 20s that my life in many parts was a bumbling circus. I lurched this way and that, I stumbled into decisions, I lied to everyone about pretty much everything, I even lied about my name once with a summer fling, how egregiously low is that?

It was terrifying to ask a woman to marry me. Do you think it is easy, to offer yourself up so nakedly, with such patent fear in your heart that she will say no, or even worse she will say yes and you will disappoint her, betray her, not be good enough for her? Believe me, I sat many hours over that question before I got down on my knees to ask it. Perhaps that was the first time I really tried to listen to something beyond and under my usual fervid mental and emotional burble. And sitting quietly, trying to listen to the very deepest music inside myself, I came to know that she was the woman to ask, even as I also knew, full well and beyond

JIM DOYLE

THE AUTHOR, Brian Doyle, as a youngster. He remembers being encouraged at age 13 to consider the priesthood, attending a discernment day, and hearing his growling stomach much more loudly than the voice of God.

a doubt, that marriage to her would be complex and bruising sometimes, confusing and painful, tense and strained, and there was no assurance of it lasting. But it would be deeper, in pain and in joy; and I knew finally that the best me was the young man who had the guts to ask that question of that young woman, without having any idea of her answer.

Big questions: Should we continue to try to have children? Small questions: Should I drive away from the parking lot and pretend I did not scratch that car? Big questions: Can I let go of my fear and fury at a terribly wayward child and seek only to love her more patiently, to be of service in her struggle and not be more brooding weight for her to carry?

Can I stop advising my children, now that they are in their 20s, and let them go, let them discern their roads for themselves?

How do you make these choices? How do you listen to the Voice?

My quiet, muddled advice: Be silent.

Hide your phone. Sit near the sea or a river or a forest. Lose your ego.

Turn off your brain. Take off your masks, gingerly, one by one. Bow gently to those you love and then ignore them. Be still. Stop thinking.

Do not measure and calibrate and gauge. Let go. Listen to the birds.

After a while, you will lose track of the time, and after another while, sometimes, you will know. Don’t leap up, and don’t immediately put it in words. Enjoy the moment. It’s hard to get to that blessed country, and I find it pleasant to linger. Best of luck.

Remember to say thanks to Whatever it is that we are talking about. You and I know what we are talking about, but some things are better left unnamed so we can hear them better. Words sometimes get in the way. =

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Related article: vocationnetwork. org, Four steps to hearing your call, VISION 2007.

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PRAYER & DISCERNMENT

The paths of prayer by

Sister Christa Parra, I.B.V.M. is a master’s of divinity student at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Sister Christa Parra, I.B.V.M.

DURING the Chicago marathon in 2014, Sister Christa Parra, I.B.V.M. (in white t-shirt) found the strength to finish with prayer and the support of her religious community, friends, and family. She ran with friends Anna Mayer (blue shirt) and Melissa Carnall (grey shirt).

Sister Christa Parra, I.B.V.M. discovered her vocation during prayer. Now prayer keeps her grounded in her life as a sister.

I

LOVE TO RUN. When I run, I pray. When I start out my run along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, I begin with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of health and energy to run each mile. I continue praying about whatever is in my heart. I pray for friends and family. I pray for people I know and people I don’t know and especially for those who suffer. I talk to God and listen.

Last fall I ran in the Chicago Marathon for the second time. I had trained hard and felt well prepared for the big day, but it was one of my toughest runs.

Several times during the race I thought about quitting. Around the ninth mile, I had a major cramp in the back of my right leg, and during the 16th mile, I felt nauseous. As I neared the 17th mile, all I wanted was to call my mama and older brother (who had come from Arizona to watch me run) and ask them to pick me up.

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However, I found the strength and motivation to keep going. I was running to raise awareness about the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform and to help raise funds to support the cause, and that inspired me to keep going. I knew the prayers of my family, religious community, friends, and members of my parish were carrying me every step of the way, as were their cheers from the sidelines. I was supported and loved through the finish line. I wasn’t running alone.

Prayer delivers a surprise Ten years ago, I never imagined that I would run a marathon or become a nun. Yet, at the age of 33, I have now spent eight years in religious life and completed two

marathons, by the grace of God. When I was in high school, my senior class voted me “Most Likely to Be a Nun.” This was news to me. I had no thoughts of entering a religious community. As a little girl, I dreamed of getting married and having a family. Family life was all I knew. I was raised as a third-generation Mexican-American in a large, tight-knit Catholic family. Growing up, I went to Mass each Sunday with my nana (grandma). She prayed the rosary daily and had great devotion to the saints. She taught me how to pray and showed me the power of faith.

As a young adult, I continued going to the same parish I attended with my nana. I often went to church just to pray in the quiet sacred space.

One afternoon, as I knelt in the first

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“

Prayer became a conversation, and my heart began to listen carefully for the voice of God in my life.

WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? . Living in community according to the Rule of St. Benedict. .

Following a daily schedule that balances prayer and work. . Ministering to God’s people . Serving as a sign of hope and Good News.

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pew, the quiet enveloped me while chaos raged within me. My mind raced as I talked to God about my struggles. I had just broken up with my boyfriend. I needed direction in my life.

Suddenly, it occurred to me that I was talking at God, but not listening to God. Perhaps I wasn’t listening to God because I was afraid of what I might hear. At that moment, a sister approached me without introducing herself and asked me, “Have you ever thought about becoming a nun?” I quickly replied, “No, I want to get married and have a family.”

Undeterred, she invited me to visit her IBVM (Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary) community. The thought of becoming a sister terrified me, but I decided to take her up on her invitation.

As I walked through the convent door, I felt a sense of being at home.

The sisters were so down-to-earth, joyful, and welcoming. One of the sisters invited me to meet with her each week. I had a deep desire to do God’s will and strengthen my relationship with God, so I figured meeting with her would help me.

There were many times in the next several years that I would run away from the idea of this vocation. However, all along the way I had numerous experiences that kept pointing me in the direction of religious life.

Discerning a life path At the age of 25, I was finally ready to discern religious life. I began this discernment by attending an eight-day silent retreat, based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. I wasn’t sure how I would survive without my cell phone, computer, or music. It was difficult at first but surprisingly freeing. The lack of distractions helped me to focus on my relationship with God. My prayer life began to evolve. During the retreat, my spiritual director encouraged me to hike and run on the nearby mountain trail. I had never considered exercise as a way of praying. The beauty of the desert came alive to me in a new way. As I ran, I prayed.

Through my ongoing prayer and with the guidance of a spiritual director, I realized that my deepest

COMMUNAL PRAYER and support is an important part of being a sister, says Parra. Her community was present to cheer her on during the 2014 Chicago marathon.

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desire is to love and to be loved.

The First Letter of John says, “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in that person” (1 John 4:16). I wanted to know that love that comes from abiding in God. I learned to meditate and to pray with scripture. I got to know Jesus better and began to cultivate a friendship. Seeing Jesus as a friend helped me to relate to God on a more personal level. Prayer became a conversation, and my heart began to listen carefully for the voice of God in my life.

In my discernment process, I carefully prayed about each vocation knowing that each one (married life, single life, and religious life) provides a way to love, honor,

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and serve God. My spiritual director told me numerous times, “Every vocation is holy, important, and necessary.” I looked at the pros and cons of each vocation, and I paid attention to my feelings, identifying joy, peace, and freedom, as well as a little sadness, anxiety, and fear.

In considering religious life, the joy and peace that I felt was an indica-

tor that I was on the path that God wanted me to explore.

After looking at several different communities and praying about each one, listening to countless vocation stories, and learning about various ministries, I felt most called to join the IBVM community. I was drawn to the IBVMs by the joy and kindness of the sisters, but also by

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PARRA (above) at her final vows ceremony. Prayer led her to begin considering religious life in 2007.

PARRA (right) kneels to receive a blessing before she runs a marathon.

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their Ignatian spirituality that resonated deep within me.

Contemplation and action Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, believed in the importance of seeking God in all people, places, and circumstances. He believed in doing everything for the greater glory of God. The Venerable Mary Ward, founder of the IBVMs, felt called in the early 1600s to follow Ignatian spirituality. She desired that her community be out of the habit and free from the cloistered way of life so as to accompany those most in need in the world.

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accompany people in our ministries the best we can.

Over the years, I have learned that there are a variety of prayer styles. Just as our relationship with family and friends is unique and dynamic, so is our relationship with God. My personal prayer life includes one hour of prayer in the morning in my bedroom. I have a prayer space made up of a small table, candle, and Bible. I sit on the floor and practice Christian meditation. I use a journal as a means of reflecting on my everyday experiences. I attend daily Mass with my local community. I find that the Eucharist strengthens my bonds with God and those with whom I share my life.

On the days I run, prayer is also very much a part of that experience.

At the end of my day, I practice the Ignatian Daily Examen. Some days are easier to pray than others. As an extrovert, I get energy from being

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The Eucharist strengthens my bonds with God and those with whom I share my life.

with people. For me, reflection and stillness do not come easily so I have to discipline myself.

Today I run as an IBVM and pray for the grace to persevere. Much like running in a marathon, prayer and discernment take practice. Every journey has its challenges, but we are not on it alone. We are accompanied to the finish line by the love and prayers of our families, friends, and communities. = Related articles: vocationnetwork. org, A user’s guide on the ways to pray, VISION 2012; Stopping long enough, I heard God’s call, VISION 2006.

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PRAYER & DISCERNMENT

YOUR RELATIONSHIP with God is strengthened by keeping your prayer life active.

Do-it-yourself discernment retreat

by the VISION editors

Take five minutes out of your busy day for a week to deepen your prayer life and develop greater understanding of vocation.

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HAT IS KNOWN IN VOCATION CIRCLES as the “process of discernment” is simply the time we take to identify our strengths and gifts and determine how they may best be put to use in joyful service to the church and the world.

To that end, we offer this simple do-it-yourself discernment retreat, adapted from Take Five for Faith: Daily renewal for busy Catholics, to help you explore the various forms of Christian discipleship and the path that best suits you. The goal of this week-long retreat is to provide you with a thought-provoking start to your day that includes a passage from scripture and a call to action.

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As you read each day’s reflection, keep these things in mind: • The Holy Spirit works through you and is always available to you.

• Your relationship with God is strengthened by keeping your prayer life active.

• God is patient. Take the time you need to explore your vocation options.

• Seriously consider the various expressions of Christian commitment, including life as a religious sister, brother, or priest.

• Your vocation decision, whatever that may be, should ultimately bring joy. God wants nothing less for you.

Enjoy the retreat!

Sunday: Don’t leave it to the experts When you go to church, it may be hard to see beyond what the priests, deacons, lectors, cantors, and others are doing at the moment (unless of course you’re one of those people!).

Behind that hour of Mass, however, are many hours of meetings, practice, and personal preparation that go into leading worship.

But the work everyone else in a faith community does—including yours—is just as important. Supporting yourself, and maybe a family, as well as all the other tasks of life, if you do them in a spirit of faith and generosity, go just as far in building the kingdom of God. And perhaps the most important thing you do is worship itself: Liturgy originally meant a “public service or work.”

Today’s readings: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:27-32.

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Today’s readings: Ephesians 2:1922; Luke 6:12-16. “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but . . . also members of the household of God.” Like the apostles, we, too, encounter struggles in our relationship with Jesus and our faith. Allow your struggles and missteps to become another positive step in getting to know God more deeply.

Tuesday: Passion for compassion

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“We worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” Think of ways your work is part of the great work.

Monday: Take the hard road We assume the apostles must have been solid, holy people because Jesus handpicked them to be part of his 26 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

inner circle of friends and disciples.

But the gospels present quite a different picture. These were ordinary people who weren’t always clear about Jesus’ message, who occasionally turned their backs on Jesus even when he was most in need, and who struggled with their own faith. The apostles’ relationship with Jesus as well as their faith was a work in progress that ultimately brought them closer to God.

While a young man, Saint Paul of the Cross was unsure which direction his life should take. Then one day, he was listening to a homily on the sufferings of Jesus, and it all made sense to him: He would redirect his life to bring others the message of God’s love expressed in Christ’s Passion. He desired to form a community of the like-minded to pursue this mission, but he had to wait more than two decades—years he spent as a hospital chaplain and traveling preacher—before the church officially gave him permission to found the Passionists religious order.

Today’s readings: Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; Luke 12:35-38.

“More surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life.”

It can take time to find one’s calling and be confirmed in it. But the joy is worth the wait.

Wednesday: Learning to love Jesuit theologian James Keenan says that sin is simply not bothering to love. Note: Sin isn’t the absence of love; love is already there. Rather it’s the failure to choose to take advantage of opportunities to love. Jesus shows us the way of love: forgiving enemies, caring for the poor, calling others to live with integrity and compassion.

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 6:4-

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Allow your struggles and missteps to become another positive step in getting to know God more deeply.

13; Matthew 17:14-20. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.”

You can do the same. Review your day and see where you did not bother to love. Then take the trouble to do it now.

Thursday: Have a seat!

Please sit down. Anywhere’s fine.

Just be forewarned: Where you sit now affects your place for all eternity. Here’s the fine print of our existence we all too often disregard: Our comfort and our neighbor’s discomfort are inextricably linked. The disciples who hoped to sit on either side of Jesus were invited to drink from a bitter cup first. Young Mary of Nazareth may have perceived that when she agreed to take one of the lowest places in history: that of the unmarried pregnant teenager. She’s now enthroned as Queen of Heaven.

Today’s readings: Romans 11:12a, 11-12, 25-29; Luke 14:1, 7-11.

“Go and sit down at the lowest place, so that . . . your host may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ ” Where would you like to sit?

Friday: Walk with me We honor Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, beloved for her “Little Way,” which has encouraged countless “ordinary people” doing ordinary things on the road to sanctity. Thérèse lived in a Carmelite convent with her older sister Pauline, who was “like a second mother,” Thérèse wrote. Pauline was with Thérèse throughout her brief life,

illness, and death at the tender age of 24. It is no accident that Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs. Having a spiritual companion, as Thérèse did, can be of great help and comfort on the sometimes difficult spiritual journey.

Today’s readings: Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Luke 10:1-12. “Other disciples . . . he sent ahead of him in pairs.”

What do you desire?

. A deep prayer life? . A life dedicated to others for God? . Joy in doing your thing . . . HIS way?

Cultivate spiritual friendships in your own life.

Saturday: A legend in our own time Legend surrounds the brief life of Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907-935), originally venerated because of his martyrdom but most remembered because of a Christmas carol from the 16th century that celebrated him as a model of generosity toward those who were poor or in need. He was said to carry wood to their homes on his own shoulders.

Today’s readings: Job 3:1-3, 1117, 20-23; Luke 9:51-56. “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.”

As Dominicans we emphasize the pondering of divine truths. To witness to God’s primacy, to our ow of poerty and to express our identity as a community, we wear a contemporary religious habit. In the Dominican Traditon, we communicate the truth through the apostalate of teaching. Because we are totally committed to the Lord, we identify fully with the mind, the teaching and the dicipline of the Church He established.

Sister Maria Michele Armato, O.P. 908-782-1504 smtolp@yahoo.com

Dominican Sisters

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Separating fact from fiction may be difficult after 1,000 years, but your own track record with regard to generosity should be easier to tally. Will anyone sing praises of your generosity a millennium from now? A hundred years? Ten minutes after you are gone?

If not, what can you do today to start building your own lasting legacy? = Take Five for Faith: Daily renewal for busy Catholics, written by trusted Catholic authors, provides reflections and scripture tie-ins that draw on the rich teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. To sign up to receive Take Five for Faith via social media, email, or app, visit www.takefiveforfaith.com.

Related article: vocationnetwork.org, Point and click to pray, VISION 2006.

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RELIGIOUS LIFE

SISTER SUSAN Rose Francois, C.S.J.P. (center) with members of the Giving Voice Core Team. Giving Voice is a grassroots network of women religious in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

Stay tuned for the young and the religious

by Sister Susan Rose Francois,

Sister Susan Rose Francois, C.S.J.P. is the co n g r e g a t i o n vocation director for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.

C.S.J.P.

Religious life is a lot different today than it used to be, and there’s much more transformation in store. But change isn’t the only constant—so is commitment to community and charism.

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HERE IS A MAGNET on the refrigerator in my local community house that reads: “I ¤ religious LIFE and believe in its FUTURE.” Most religious houses, in my experience, have a ragtag refrigerator magnet collection featuring promotional messages from various sponsored ministries, the local parish, or even the funeral home. This particular magnet, on the other hand, promotes the future of the very life we have committed to live in community by our profession of vows to God. I have made the point of bringing the magnet with me to each community house that I have called home over the past eight years. It has become a ritual of sorts with multiple levels of meaning. When I add this magnet to the mix, I am

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How religious communities are changing

HOSE WHO JOIN A religious community today are entering during a period of dramatic change for religious life as a whole.

• They enter knowing they will be living religious life during a period when some communities are closing and many are getting smaller. The large influx of new members in the 1950s and 1960s was brief. Many students of religious life say that today’s smaller number of new members is more typical than the rapid growth of 60 years ago.

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• Communities that envision a vibrant future for their particular institute are accepting new vocations and are planning (and advertising) accordingly. There are some communities that have decided to discontinue accept-

proclaiming that a younger sister lives in the house. The magnet was given to me at the Giving Voice national conference in 2009. Giving Voice is a grassroots network of women religious in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. This group of peers has been a tremendous support on my journey so far. When I place the magnet on the refrigerator, in a way I am bringing my younger sister friends from other congregations with me as well.

The magnet carries an even larger symbolism, however, that is made clear by its strong and simple message. I would not be a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace, let alone living in my new house, serving on the

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ing new members, but many others are planning a future with smaller total numbers.

• Many communities have detached from large institutions, such as hospitals, schools, and properties.

As a result, these communities are now able to more nimbly minister to contemporary needs.

• If you join a religious community now, your action says that you expect that others will join after you. Joining a community has always been a bold move, one that has been taken by other members of religious life throughout history.

—Carol Schuck Scheiber, VISION content editor

Congregation Leadership Team, or inviting other young women to join our community as vocation director, if I did not firmly believe that God is not finished with religious women. I love religious life, I am committed to my community and our charism, and I believe that we have a future.

Change is a constant Of course, believing in the future of religious life is not the same as knowing how it will all turn out. If I am honest, the one thing I can be certain of as a vowed religious in the 21st century is the constancy of change.

Anyone who is taking an honest look at the current state of religious life in

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I love religious life, I am committed to my community and our charism, and I believe that we have a future.

North America or Europe will recognize that even more rapid change is just around the corner.

If you’ve visited a religious house, or spent time getting to know a religious congregation, no doubt you have noticed that most of the community members are quite a bit older than the average reader of VISION. The dominant age groups present in religious life today have lived through tremendous changes themselves fol-

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lowing the Second Vatican Council.

In the words of Pope Francis, they “undertook a fruitful journey of renewal which, for all its lights and shadows, has been a time of grace, marked by the presence of the Spirit.”

Those who are entering religious life today are here at an equally graced time, in no small part because they get to minister, pray, and play with these women and men of earlier generations. In the secular world, sociologists tell us that this is a unique and unprecedented time because no less than four generations—Millennials, Generation X, Boomers, and Greatest Generation— are present in the workplace. Given the demographic reality of most religious communities, this mix is even more pronounced in religious life. However, because of the unusually large numbers of entrants in the

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1950s and 1960s, there are many more people over age 70 than there are under 40.

More than once over the past few years I have found myself filled with deep gratitude, and more than a little bit of awe, for the persistence of our loving God who managed to break through my own resistance to this call. If I had delayed my decision just by a few years, I would not have had the chance to get to know some of the incredible sisters who have passed away since I entered. I would be poorer today without their wisdom and the inspiration of their lives. Even now, as I step into my new roles of leadership and vocation ministry, I am privileged to have as companions a group of sister mentors who have navigated unimaginable change in their own religious lives over the

past 50-plus years. This truly is a graced time!

Small is beautiful The future of religious life, of course, is bound to look and feel different.

For one thing, it will be smaller.

While the large novitiate classes of the 1950s and 1960s still make up the dominant age cohort today, the women and men behind them entered in much smaller groupings. Even if a substantial number of young adults were to answer God’s call and take the plunge into this wonderful, if unusual, way of life—which I believe they will—it seems clear that the religious life of the future will be lived on a smaller

FRANCOIS (in red) with sisters at an anti-trafficking demonstration.

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“

I am privileged to have as companions a group of sister mentors who have navigated unimaginable change in their own religious lives.

scale. And yet, the call of the gospel remains large. The needs of the human family cry out for compassionate love and service, while the example of Jesus continues to light the way.

Whenever I ponder the future of religious life, I find myself remembering the early pioneer sisters in my community who stepped into their own unknown future. They did not Enter #079 at VocationMatch.com VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2016 | 33

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know how it would all work out in the end, but that did not stop them from joining together in community for mission in prayer and loving action. I wonder what the next generations will say about us and our response today.

This is certainly an exciting time to be living religious life, one that calls for creative responses and collaboration as we bring the light of the gospel to today’s unmet needs and help make religious life sustainable for future generations. In the words of Pope Francis: “The creativity of charity is boundless; it is able to find countless new ways of bringing the newness of the gospel to every culture and every corner of society.”

Brave, noble souls This moment calls for a certain kind of person, and this is where I have Enter #173 at VocationMatch.com 34 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

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FRANCOIS with (from left) Sisters Sarah Kohles, O.S.F., Kristin Matthes, S.N.D.de N., and Belinda Monahan, O.S.B. at the 2014 NRVC convocation.

great hope. In 1887, the founder of my religious community, Margaret Anna Cusack, known as Mother Francis Clare, wrote these words to her newly founded congregation: “We are beginning a new order. We want brave, noble, large-minded, and courageous souls.”

When I look at the new generations considering a religious V14pp131-172.indd 174 vocation today, this is who I see. First of all, you have to be brave and courageous to even think about making a lifelong commitment to a future that is so uncertain. The call of the gospel is a call to be noble in your concern for God’s people, especially those who are poor and on the margins of society. Today’s culture provides many temptations for young people to be centered on their own concerns, yet if you are reading this article then I suspect you have a large-minded streak.

The brave, noble, large-minded,

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and courageous souls who enter religious life today will benefit from the wisdom, presence, and support of the incredible women and men religious of earlier generations who will not be here that much longer. This is a time of opportunity and promise.

Together with the older generations, younger religious will help shape the future of religious life. In

the words of Pope Francis, we can “wake up the world!” = *Quotes from Pope Francis are taken from his November 2014 Letter for the Year of Consecrated Life.

Related article: vocationnetwork.org, Online door never closes on discerners, VISION 2015.

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A long-time religious looks forward

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ESPITE DECLINING numbers of candidates in convents, Sister Susan Rose Francois, C.S.J.P. reminds us that still the “call of the gospel remains large.” I am witnessing this first-hand in my convent, which is housing two young sisters from South Vietnam while they study at a local university. Their 500 professed Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross are blessed with 200 candidates and 100 novices. We are preparing leaders for a group in which the Holy Spirit seems to be very busy. Who are we to question how the Spirit chooses to work?

Here in the United States, some of our greatest help in promoting vocations comes, surprisingly, from laywomen.

The Ursuline Sisters created an associate program for laity in 1983. Associates live their own lifestyles while celebrating and praying with the Ursuline community and spreading the spirit of Saint Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursulines, in their workplace and environment.

Connect with youth In rural Kansas a few years ago, some associates began recruiting teenage girls to a group called Young Daughters of Saint Angela (YDOSA). They bring groups to our convent to hear some of the older sisters’ vocation stories, and the girls learn about the remarkable life of our foundress. In the process, they hear much about prayer itself and simple moral living—yes, even

Sister Grace Swift, O.S.U. is a member of the Ursuline Sisters of Maple Mount, Kentucky. After teaching grade and high school for many years, she spent 32 years as a history professor at Loyola University in New Orleans.

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A monk?

You’re joking, right?

Actually, we’re quite serious!

URSULINE SISTER Ruth Gehres, center, with Sister Anh Tran, left, and Sister Huyen Vu, two Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross congregation from Vietnam. They are living at Maple Mount while they attend Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky. Gehres is teaching them English. things like modesty and purity. Such lessons from laywomen and mothers, I think, have a special impact. Most of these girls will probably not become sisters, but their lives as Catholic women and mothers have been wonderfully enriched by their YDOSA experience.

In our area, sisters used to come from large farm families of eight to 15 children.

Their parents were less opposed to surrendering children to religious orders when some remained at home. Religious life may have seemed less burdensome than farm life to many. It is hard to imagine that these large, church-oriented families will ever be repeated in our time. Still, it’s all the more important to appropriate the creative energy that our religious communities can muster to promote solid family life once more.

Prepare for the next harvest When I moved to my present convent six years ago, our large vineyard was overgrown with trees and weeds and had not been fertilized in years. Many vines were seemingly dead or producing nothing. A local vineyard owner taught me how to

prune them. “Grapes love to be pruned,“ he assured me, and it is quite true. Some invisible underground roots started to send shoots out of the earth, and those alive but unproductive started rewarding us with baskets of beautiful fruit.

God certainly is pruning the sisterhood, and I hope that this is a portent for a bountiful harvest, in His own time and place.

When I entered religious life in 1947, I expected to be teaching grade school in small country towns. I ended up teaching in universities and doing research in many countries for 32 years. I have witnessed much of what Sister Susan Rose called “the constancy of change.” It hasn’t been easy, but I am now enjoying retirement years with a group of lovely, educated, prayerful women. I have strong hope that God will shower such blessings on new generations of women whose hearts incline them to the love of Christ and service to His church. = Related articles: vocationnetwork.org, Obstacles and options for older discerners, VISION 2013.

Why are men from around the nation choosing this path?

Maybe it’s because God wants men who are ready to live a RADICAL life of sacrifice and prayerful service as a witness of Christ for the world! We are men who NEVER thought we would become monks.

So while others settled for the ordinary, we chose to be RADICAL! Maybe God is calling you, too, to become a Benedictine monk at Subiaco Abbey. Check us out and experience for yourself how God is still calling men to monastic life in the 21st century . . . even to Arkansas!

Subiaco Abbey

Brothers & Priests living as one monastic family

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RELIGIOUS LIFE

A Dominican’s day— timeless and timely Photos by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P. Text by Carol Schuck Scheiber

Fa t h e r L a w rence Lew, O.P. is a Dominican in the Priory of St. Albert the Great, where he serves as Catholic chaplain for the Universities of Edinburgh, N a p i e r, a n d Queen Margaret in Edinburgh, Scotland.

THE COMMUNITY sings as they process out of church at the end of Mass.

The non-ordained brothers wear the habit from which they get their popular name in England, Blackfriars.

What is daily life like inside the church, office, and home of a religious order priest?

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HAT DOES A PRIEST in a religious order do all day? The answer varies widely, of course, depending on the person and his community. But no matter how it is answered, the real truth may be just below the surface—that is, in the deeper meaning and context of what a priest does. What is the spirit behind his prayers, the sacraments he celebrates, his teaching, his preaching? And what is his community like? How do members of the religious community guide, support, and join him in all that he does?

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Gay reviews cash accounts (at right, top photo) with the hall secretary.

Gay (at left, bottom photo) and his confreres in the choir area.

As a Dominican, Father Robert Gay, O.P. belongs to a religious order that dates to the early 1200s when Saint Dominic began preaching and teaching the Christian faith. The Dominican order has since spread throughout the world and includes both men’s and women’s communities, as well as lay associations. The many Dominican religious institutes run high schools, colleges, and universities, and are immersed in diverse ministries beyond education.

As a member of Oxford, England’s Blackfriars Priory—a community involved in higher education— Father Gay’s daily responsibilities range from involvement in the lives of students, to teaching, to serving as bursar for Blackfriars Hall at Oxford University, his main job. His day is punctuated by the rhythm of morning, midday, and evening prayer and daily Mass. Through it all, he strives to live up to the community commitment: “preaching the love and mercy of God” in word and action. = Related article: vocationnetwork.org, I am a brother to 2,000 college students, VISION 2004.

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Gay walks to his office at Blackfriars Hall (left). The Dominicans run a permanent private hall (or college) at Oxford University, and the Dominican priests in Oxford all have jobs in the hall as lecturers or administrators.

Washing dishes after dinner (below) is a communal activity— all part of the life of this community of Dominicans.

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The community begins conventual Mass in the evening at Blackfriars (above), as it fits in with the university schedule, and it allows friars and lay students to attend.

Gay gives a lecture (right) at Blackfriars Hall; he specializes in bioethics and moral theology.

Gay retires to his cell at the end of the day (opposite page).

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RELIGIOUS LIFE

DIFFERENCES in age and ethnicity can lead to both cultureclashes and valuable learning experiences.

¡Viva la diferencia!

The colorful future of religious life

by Carol Schuck Scheiber

As religious communities become more culturally diverse, newer members share their thoughts on what individuals and communities can do to guide the process.

Carol Schuck Scheiber is the content editor of VISION V oc ation G uide and editor of HORIZON, the journal of the National Religious Vocation Conference.

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HE MEN AND WOMEN entering religious life today are usually much younger than most of the members of their community and much more culturally diverse. For religious communities that have been fairly homogenous throughout their history, this fact can be cause for both celebration and consternation. Here is some advice from young religious on how to incorporate cultural diversity with little pain and much gain.

What challenges do communities face with the cultural diversity of newer members?

Brother Roger Lopez, O.F.M.

we celebrate every life event together. To my director, immediate family meant only my parents and brothers could come. After we discussed it further, she presented this discussion to the community leaders, and they agreed to allow my grandparents and an uncle to attend. This meant so much to me.

The biggest challenge is to not squelch the culture of new memBROTHER ROGER LOPEZ, bers—their religious O.F.M. professed solemn practices or devotions, vows in 2012 with the food, or customs. It’s Franciscan Friars of the easy for the majority to Province of St. John Sister Xiomara Méndezthe Baptist. His family become the standard background is Pacific Hernández, O.P. for everyone. We need Islander and Hispanic.

I have felt embraced to strive for communiby my community, ties where everyone’s especially the members who have culture is allowed to blossom and ministered in or are from the Doideally to become integrated into the minican Republic. I have come to whole. appreciate the great organization and preparation for Mass, the quietness, the beautiful singing, the politeness, Have you ever experienced etc. However, at liturgies I miss the stumbling blocks because close contact, hugs, laughter, joyful music, movement, and clapping. I of cultural have difficulty appreciatdifferences? ing organ music. In my Sister Christa Parra, country [Dominican I.B.V.M. Republic] the organ is When I took first vows, played at high Mass in I was planning the the cathedral and many Mass with my formatimes at funerals. The tion director. When we organ brings to my mind discussed the invitadarkness and sadness. tion list, I learned that Also during novionly immediate family tiate [a period of study could attend. To me and ministry during the this meant that my entrance process], I was SISTER CHRISTA PARRA, parents, grandparents, always referring to my I.B.V.M. has made brothers and their temporary vows with the own experiences in the significant others, god- Institute of the Blessed Dominican Republic Virgin Mary. She is from a parents, uncles, aunts, because that was my Mexican-American family and cousins could background. At one from Arizona and is now come. In our culture point I was told by a studying in Chicago.

[Mexican American], novice director from an-

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other community: “You received the habit and are always talking about when I made first vows, or referring to your parts of the Mass were country. You are the in Korean, and the food one who came to this for the reception was country, and you are the Korean barbecue. one who needs to adapt to this culture, not us to SISTER XIOMARA MÉNDEZ- Sister Christa Parra, Hernández, O.P. met her yours.”

I.B.V.M. I was surprised and community, the Adrian I’m the youngest and a (Michigan) Dominicans, hurt because the multiminority in a predomiin her home country, the community novitiate nately Caucasian order.

Dominican Republic. was supposed to foster However, these factors multicultural diversity. I spoke to my have not been a barrier to the woncommunity prioress about it, and she derful relationships I have built with was very supportive. I believe there the sisters in our community. The is a need for continued education on sisters have been very supportive and racial and cultural diversity for the kind in doing all they can to make future of religious life in the United me feel at home.

States since it is a country with so Of course, embracing my family many cultures and races. means embracing who we are culturally. One beautiful example of how the sisters have embraced my culture is that when I turned 30, they hosted What helped you a birthday celebration integrate into your for me called “Quinceacommunity? ñera Times Two.” The quinceañera is a special Sister Mary Yun, O.P. celebration in our culOne thing my comture for a young woman munity does well is who is turning 15, so it encourage creativity in was clever to multiply it new members of differby two for my 30th. We ent cultures. I learned enjoyed great Mexican from a Vietnamese sisfood, Spanish music, ter how to do modular SISTER MARY YUN, O.P. and dancing in our origami. Shortly after is of Korean descent and community room at the that, I took up origami belongs to the Dominican as my hobby and was Sisters of Mission San Jose Provincial House. My mom and brother joined making many ornain Fremont, California. us from Arizona, which ments. My congregamade it even more awesome. tion (Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose in Fremont, California) Brother Carlos Medina, O.S.A. has encouraged me to have my own What has been most helpful to me booth at our motherhouse’s annual are opportunities my province has holiday boutique. given me to spend time with AuThe community also has integustinians from Latin America. My grated the sisters’ various cultures province has been generous in sendinto liturgies. For instance, when I

“

“I’m the youngest and a minority in a predominately Caucasian order. However, these factors have not been a barrier to the wonderful relationships I have built.”

ing me to Augustinian conferences in Latin America, and I also had the opportunity to live in community in Latin America one summer. We have also had Augustinians from Latin America come and spend time in our province in California.

This kind of BROTHER CARLOS MEDINA, contact helps O.S.A. is from Columbia me better unand is a member of the derstand how Augustinian Friars, Province to be both a of St. Augustine.

Columbian American and a member of the Augustinians.

What tends to create more culture-clash: differences in age or differences in ethnicity?

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Sister Mary Yun, O.P. I believe age differences create more frustration than cultural differences.

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sisters. It is great that some of our older sisters are willing to try different forms of communication, such as texting.

Brother Carlos Medina, O.S.A. I have a hard time deciding which poses a greater challenge for group interaction. Perhaps the difficulty is that my experience of age difference often occurs alongside ethnic difference since all the religious I know over age 60 are also white.

Generally I find interacting with a group of religious from other ethnic minorities is easier for me than interacting with a group of religious in which I am the only one from an ethnic minority.

Age gaps do present challenges for group interaction. Interacting in a group where I am the youngest and

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the rest are much older often means not knowing the references made in conversation because we don’t have a common history. Much like with ethnic differences, one-on-one interactions are different, and I generally don’t find it challenging to interact one-on-one with an older friar.

Sister Xiomara Méndez-Hernández, O.P. For me what creates more culture clash is the difference in ethnicity. I have not experienced major culture clash with the majority of our sisters, and many of them are much older than me. I do not know if the elder sisters are more open to other cultures or if they are more tolerant because of their wisdom, politeness, or missionary experience.

Sister Christa Parra, I.B.V.M. I think more than the cultural differences, the age gap is more evident on a daily basis. I have always felt free to be myself, and my sisters encourage that. The way I dress, communicate, dance, think, and listen to music are obvious differences that reflect my generation. Even though sometimes the sisters don’t understand why I like certain things, they are kind and patient with me. They are forming me and teaching me through their lives (and even their deaths) about grace, perseverance, and love. =

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Related articles: vocationnetwork. org, Five reasons we need religious communities, VISION 2007; Call me sister, VISION 2011.

See also the NRVC Report on Incorporating Cultural Diversity in Religious Life (CARA, 2014).

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RELIGIOUS LIFE

8

A WELL-DEVELOPED capacity for friendship is an important part of living as a celibate because the human need for intimacy does not disappear by taking vows.

secrets to healthy celibacy

by Carol Schuck Scheiber

DAVI_VR ON FLICKR

Carol Schuck Scheiber is the content editor of VISION V oc ation G uide and editor of HORIZON, the journal of the National Religious Vocation Conference.

How good are you at setting limits and sticking to them or balancing quiet time with an active social life? These are just some of the questions you’ll need to ask yourself if you are seriously considering religious life.

W

HILE NO QUIZ can tell you for sure what life choice is right for you, discernment tools, such as quizzes and questionnaires, can help you gain insight into your personal preferences and practices and as they relate to the requirements of religious life. The more you know about yourself, the better chance you have of choosing the path that will bring you the most joy.

Take a moment to complete our celibacy quiz on the opposite page. Then read on for more information on living the vow of celibacy well.

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CAN YOU LIVE A CELIBATE LIFE?

TEST YOUR ABILITY to live successfully as a celibate person. Circle your answer to the following statements: 1.

I have close friends. Most of them are around my YES own age and have similar educational backgrounds.

NO

2.

I have a life!

YES

NO

3.

I can enjoy time alone.

YES

NO

4.

I can set limits.

YES

NO

5.

I have a personal relationship with God and spend time in prayer.

YES

NO

6.

I can say no.

YES

NO

7.

I am willing to love those no one else will love.

YES

NO

8.

I don’t need to satisfy my own needs immediately.

YES

NO

9.

I can delay gratification.

YES

NO

10. My social circle is a mix of men and women.

YES

NO

11. My prayer life supports my struggle to be chaste.

YES

NO

12. I know how to be intimate without being sexually active.

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

13. I have made and kept commitments in my life.

14. I can be honest, down to earth, realistic, joyful, and warm (though not all necessarily at the same time; no one is perfect!).

15. Most of the time I am comfortable with my own body and emotions.

Positive answers to these questions indicate you have the capacity to live the celibate life well.

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1.

Love God in Complete Surrender —St.

Clare

Poor Clares are

Our call is to

a contemplative

intimacy with God

branch of the

and prayerful

Franciscan Order

support of all people

Requirements: An attraction to the life 18 to 45 years of age emotional and physical health Monastery of St. Clare 1271 Langhorne-Newtown Road Langhorne PA 19047-1297 www.poorclarepa.org vocation@poorclarepa.org Enter #048 at VocationMatch.com

Close friends and an ability to love

Consecrated life means being willing to love brothers and sisters generously, in ministry and in community life.

While becoming a more loving person is a lifelong task, religious communities do expect to see a certain capacity for this in prospective members.

Those who struggle to have and maintain friendships may not be good candidates for living a chaste, celibate life. Why? Celibates will not have a life partner. They must meet their basic human need for intimacy through friendship and relationships with community members. If your capacity for friendship is relatively untested, it may be unwise to take a vow that would require you to rely on friendship to meet the need for intimacy.

Those in religious life have an intimate relationship with Christ but still need human intimacy and friendship in their lives.

2.

Having a life

To “have a life” means that you are multi-faceted and engaged with people and in activities. Those whose worlds are limited may be unprepared socially for the demands of religious life. A religious community cannot provide a person with a life, but rather the community invites a person to share life with them. A person who has a vibrant life outside of a religious congregation has much to offer and much to gain by joining a religious community.

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3.

Enjoying time alone Those who don’t mind being alone

and are not anxious about being accepted usually make the best members of religious communities.

Religious should be comfortable with solitude. There is a long tradition in religious life of maintaining silence in order to commune with God more readily.

4.

Setting limits, postponing gratification

The ability to establish and maintain boundaries in your personal and professional life is especially important for celibate church ministers. Ministerial relationships, in particular, can sometimes become close and intense. Taking a vow does not stop people from having normal sexual feelings for those they meet.

The ability to set and keep limits will help you to maintain vowed, celibate chastity, just as Catholic singles and married people strive to maintain chastity within their commitments—by adhering to limits and maintaining respect for themselves and others.

5.

Personal and prayerful relationship with God

The theology of vacare Deo—or emptiness for God—sees the sacrifice involved in a celibate lifestyle as an opportunity for God to fill one’s emptiness. The time and energy required by a spouse and family is left open for God to fill. Without a close personal relationship with God, there is little point in consecrating one’s full self to God. This theology of celibacy is developed in the book Clowning for God, by Henri Nouwen. See the VISION book list (page 11) for other recommended reading. The Catholic

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concept of consecrated celibacy is definitely counter-cultural, and those entering religious life do well to understand and appreciate this tradition.

6.

Comfortable with people of both sexes

Religious community members must be comfortable with all types of people. They are seeking new members who can engage comfortably and appropriately with people of all races, genders, economic backgrounds, etc.

If people of the opposite sex tend to make you feel uncomfortable, fearful, or angry, then this may be worth exploring with a close confidante or a professional. Religious life is not an escape from dealing with people of the opposite sex.

7.

Comfortable with emotions

Those who are able to live a celibate life happily are generally able to understand and name their emotions. They can cope with strong emotions without resorting to one extreme (overreaction) or another (shutting down, going numb). A person capable of healthy celibate living can find and stay within appropriate types of self-expression for anger, attraction, sorrow, etc.

8.

Comfortable with the body

Those who live celibacy best have the discipline to follow healthy physical habits, such as proper diet, nutrition, and exercise. They do not escape into an overly spiritual and mental life but VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2016 | 53

Answers to your questions about relationships and religious life I’m dating somebody I really care about, but I also feel drawn to religious life. What can I do about this dilemma?

It’s not unusual for people who are considering religious life to be in romantic relationships. What it means in your particular situation depends on many things, and it might be helpful to discuss it with a spiritual director. To find one, try asking a campus minister, your parish priest, or a vocation director. If your attraction to religious life remains strong, then it makes sense to bring this up with your significant other.

The meaning of your interest in religious life should become clearer over time as you pray, discuss, possibly visit communities, and otherwise discern who you truly are. Greater selfunderstanding will help you figure out which life path is your true calling.

My parents are worried that I won’t be present for family gatherings if I enter religious life. How should I address their concern?

Married couples face this same conflict and must decide how to divide their time between their families of origin, their in-laws, and the new family they have formed as a couple. Any life commitment requires that you make it the primary one in your life. As a member of a religious community, the community comes first, and all of your other commitments—personal and professional—flow from this one.

Not being present for some family gatherings can be difficult, especially

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in the beginning, when you and your family are adjusting to a new reality.

Most Catholic sisters, brothers, and priests say that the shift is not painfree, but as different expectations and roles develop, it gets easier. Most also find that as their family members get to know the community and see their loved one thriving, they feel a greater sense of trust and acceptance.

Do religious communities allow someone with sexual experience to enter?

Prior sexual experience does not automatically rule someone out.

Keep in mind, however, that religious communities expect men and women to have lived a celibate lifestyle for a number of years prior to joining. The community will want to know that you can live a balanced celibate life.

If you have conceived any children, however, you might not be able to join a religious community.

I was once married. Would religious communities still consider me?

Multiple factors come into play when a religious community considers a person who has been married, but it’s not impossible for a previously married person to join. Prior Catholic marriages that did not end with your spouse’s death need to be formally annulled before entering, and even then there may be restrictions. The best way to learn what is allowable in your particular situation is to contact communities that interest you.

mature and what psychologists call “sexually integrated.” Most communities desire that their members accept and embrace their sexual identity and orientation as a foundation for living the vow of chastity.

My friends are important to me. If I enter a religious community, can I still spend time with them?

There is no simple answer to this question because the parameters of your life as a religious will be set by the particular community you join. You will typically be part of the conversation about parameters, but they will be set in community. What is true in every case is that your primary commitment is to the community. Members of an enclosed (cloistered) community will have fewer opportunities for visiting with friends than will members of an apostolic community that ministers in more public settings. When you talk with religious communities that interest you, bring up your concern to them.

Do members in a religious community have to treat everyone the same, or is it OK to be close friends with some people and not with others?

If I am homosexual, can I join a religious community?

It would be unrealistic for communities to expect that members would not form certain close friendships.

Religious communities want their members to have good friends and confidantes, and many religious have those both inside and outside of the community. What religious institutes discourage are relationships that disrupt a sense of communal harmony by creating divisions.

Of primary concern is your ability to live a celibate life in a healthy, joyful, productive way. Religious communities want incoming members to be

Do you have a question for the VISION editors? Send it to contenteditor@ VocationGuide.org.

It is a great good to think that if we try we can become saints with God’s help. - ST. TERESA OF JESUS

Called to community and contemplative prayer in the tradition of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross DISCALCED CARMELITE FRIARS WASHINGTON PROVINCE  discalcedfriars.org  ocdvocation@gmail.com

“

Religious communities do seek out individuals who have demonstrated that they can live chastely in a healthy way.

rather are able to fully experience life physically and mentally. They accept their body while also making an effort to keep it healthy and well-groomed.

Healthy physical expressions such as appropriate hugs, handshakes, etc. are not a cause of unease for the person who is a mature celibate. Those who live celibacy best understand and accept who they are sexually, even if a vow of celibacy naturally means that they discipline the way they relate to others sexually.

Past sexual behavior is not necessarily an impediment to joining

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religious life, but religious communities do seek out individuals who have demonstrated—over a number of years—that they can live chastely in a healthy and joyful way.

Like any type of true discipleship, there is a cost to being a religious community member. Dayto-day living of the vow of celibacy is not always easy—just as being a Christian spouse or parent or single person often is very demanding.

Yet for those who are called to consecrated life, the long-term joys and satisfactions make the life what it is meant to be: a gift to those who live it, a gift to the church, and a gift to the world. = Thank you to members of the HORIZON Editorial Board for contributing insights to this article.

Related article: vocationnetwork.org, Chastity is for everyone, VISION 2004.

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RELIGIOUS LIFE

BROTHER JOSEPH Kirk, F.S.C. spends time in and out of the classroom talking with students, many of whom speak English as a second language, to help them gain social confidence and improve their pronunciation.

Instruments of God for the sake of the poor Text by Jennifer Tomshack; photos by Brother James Joost, F.S.C.

The Daughters of Charity and De La Salle Christian Brothers bring hope and opportunity to a new generation through their commitment to education for all.

Jennifer Tomshack is editorial director of TrueQuest Communications, publisher of VISION Vocation Guide.

P

OPE FRANCIS recently called upon “each individual Christian and every community . . . to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society,” (Evangelii Gaudium). To find a model of how to do that well look to the work of the Daughters of Charity and De La Salle Christian Brothers at De Marillac Academy in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.

The core teaching team and administrators at De Marillac Academy consider themselves to be an “educational family” dedicated to making Catholic education accessible to all in hopes of breaking the cycle of poverty. The academy, founded in 2001 and named after Saint Louise de Marillac, provides high-quality, valuesbased, tuition-free education to very low-income, underserved young people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds who live in an area marred by drugs, prostitution, homelessness, and violence.

Some of the innovative programs De Marillac provides, which lead to nearly all of their students finishing high school and as much as 89 percent going to

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college, include a 12-to-1 studentteacher ratio, a nine-hour day, extended school year, summer camp, five-week summer school, monthly meetings with parents and families, and a graduate support program through high school and beyond.

De Marillac Academy’s holistic educational experience liberates students to lead lives of choice, says Sister Kathleen Powers, D.C. “Our school isn’t just about academics, but a spirit of faith that we try to inculcate. Our motto is, ‘Enter to learn, leave to serve.’ ”

Following the Jesus model De Marillac Academy practices and teaches six virtues—responsibility, compassion, gratitude, perseverance, leadership, and integrity—to model

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SISTER KATHLEEN POWERS, D.C. provides student support as an extra teacher in the classroom, helping kids when they work on individual assignments. “Every student is respected and valued in our school,” Powers says.

BROTHER ROBERTO MARTINEZ, F.S.C. volunteers coaching De Marillac Academy’s sixth-grade boys basketball team. The team recently concluded its first season with a 1-7 record. Most of the boys had never played basketball before.

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POWERS and LaSallian volunteer Samatha Hyland share a laugh with students, most of whom will graduate from high school, go on to college, and most important, learn to serve others.

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Jesus in everyday life. The academic philosophy is based on the traditions and charisms of its two founding religious communities: Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent and De La Salle Christian Brothers.

The Daughters of Charity were formed in the 1600s by Saint Vincent de Paul, a French priest, and Louise de Marillac, a widow who responded to the priest’s call for organized help for the “poorest of the poor” in the parish and beyond. Today, more than 19,000 Daughters of Charity minister in education, health care, and social and pastoral services all over the world.

“De Marillac Academy beautifully fits into our mission because we take a fourth vow of service to the poor,” says Powers, who has been providing individual attention to students in the classroom there for five years. “And in turn, we teach students to give back as well.”

Saint John-Baptist de La Salle, founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers and now recognized as the patron saint of teachers, developed

an innovative approach to education in 17th-century France that included free schools for the poor and rigorous teacher training. The mission of De La Salle Christian Brothers today remains the education of young people, especially the poor, in 1,000 institutions in more than 80 countries.

“It takes a lot of teachers and volunteers to educate the children in this neighborhood, not because they are tough street kids but because they hunger to learn,” says Brother James Joost, F.S.C., who serves in congregational leadership and vocation ministry for the De La Salle Christian Brothers in California.

Circle of support continues Brother Roberto Martinez, F.S.C. is one of those volunteers. Twice a week he coaches basketball at De Marillac Academy, where he hopes to show kids the fun and fundamentals of the game and help them transition to the high school many of them will eventually attend, nearby Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory,

NEARLY ALL the students at De Marillac Academy come from financially disadvantaged families and would not ordinarily be able to attend a Catholic school.

where he teaches religion. “The goal is to create a bridge of familiarity so they’re more comfortable at their new school when they get there,” Martinez says.

Martinez knows the importance of role models and fostering community connections—because he, too, was a beneficiary. He grew up in Los Angeles, where he was taught by the Daughters of Charity in elementary school and by the Christian Brothers in high school. “For me, working with kids at De Marillac is like coming home twice,” he says.

“The school does a great job of giving kids a chance,” he says.

“That’s what I got growing up, starting with the sisters and then with the brothers, who supported me the whole way. I hope to do the same thing for others.” = Related article: vocationnetwork.org, Starting over from scratch, VISION 2015.

SISTER LISA LAGUNA, D.C. and a volunteer help fifth-graders with their art projects.

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RELIGIOUS LIFE

5 Catherine Loftus is studying at the University of Michigan. She is interested in public policy, i n te r n a t i o n a l relations, and communication studies. She is a member of St. Mary of the Woods parish in Chicago.

WHAT I DIDN’T know about religious life could be stacked about as high as that mountain Maria climbs in The Sound of Music.

things that surprised me about religious life

by Catherine Loftus

One young Catholic learns that it takes more than a few viewings of Sister Act and The Trouble with Angels to gain a healthy understanding of what it means to be a religious sister, brother, or priest.

R

ELIGIOUS LIFE is something I thought I knew a lot about. I went to Catholic school for 10 years, had several nuns as teachers, was involved in my parish, met many priests over the years, and never missed the chance to watch The Trouble with Angels or Sister Act. However, I recently discovered through my blogging for VISION that all of that Catholic culture hardly qualified me as an expert on religious life. In fact, what I didn’t know about religious life could be stacked about as high as that mountain Maria climbs in The Sound of Music. Here’s a sampling of some surprising things I’ve learned:

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religious community, but that is not the case.

3.

Young people are still joining religious communities.

1.

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It takes a long time to become an official “finally professed” member of a religious order.

While you are considering entering a religious community, there is a long period of prayer, more discernment, training, and learning—as well as the community determining if you’re a good fit—before you take what are called “final vows.” Prior to final vows, people take and renew temporary vows for a period of three to nine years.

On average, it takes about six to 10 years after completing a bachelor’s degree for a man or woman to become a “finally professed” member of a religious community. Men who seek ordination must earn a Master of Divinity degree, which can add additional time to the process. Both men and women who join a com-

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munity usually live and work in it during this long initiation phase.

2.

Most members of religious communities have advanced degrees and almost all have college degrees.

While I knew that many religious were highly educated in various areas, I didn’t know to what extent.

Many religious orders prefer that members have an undergraduate degree before entering. Members are not only educated in theology and pastoral care but often have advanced degrees—be it in English, mathematics, philosophy, science, music—wherever their interests and talents lie. I think many young people fear their specific studies will go unused if they enter a

Like many others in their 20s, I always pictured sisters, brothers, and priests—if I pictured them at all—as older members of the Catholic community. It was not until my senior year of high school when a classmate of mine contemplated priesthood and I also came to know two Jesuit novices that I became aware of a younger generation of religious.

In fact, according to a 2009 study commissioned by the National Religious Vocation Conference, the average age of entrance to religious life is 30 for men and 32 for women, and nearly 1,000 women are in formation to become sisters. In 2014, 190 women and men in the United States professed final vows, and their average age was 37, according to a report from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

So young people play a vital role in religious communities, and the fact that young people continue to be interested in becoming sisters, brothers, and priests ensures the future of religious life.

4.

Members of religious communities have differences

of opinion.

I always thought of religious men and women as extremely obedient and believed they followed the directives of the church and their communities without question. But faithful, lively debate and questioning in good conscience exists within communities and among various religious orders and the wider church.

Knowing that differences exist helps young people have a more realistic understanding of religious life.

I’ve learned that you don’t stop being human and feeling passionate about your ideals when you enter religious life. In fact, if the life is right for you, you will become all the more yourself—the person you were meant to be. And though you may not always see eye to eye with other members of your community, other Catholics, or church leaders, you will strive to listen, learn, and grow in the process of becoming a more faithful and loving person and help others do the same.

5.

Men and women in religious life are not visible everywhere.

Maybe it’s because of my Catholic schooling or the fact that I grew up in a big city with a large Catholic population, but I always thought that religious life and opportunities to meet sisters, brothers, and priests and see them in action were not hard to come by, but this is not the case in many places. Some small towns and rural parishes have little or no interaction with men and women in religious life, and even the parish priest may only be available once a month as he must make the rounds to several understaffed parishes in the diocese. This means many young Catholics never witness firsthand the life and work of men and women in religious life and never realize that a religious vocation is an option for them.

Discovering all these surprising things about religious sisters, brothers, and priests makes me acutely aware of what a daily blessing they are to all of us. =

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Related article: vocationnetwork. org, Eight myths about religious life, VISION 2002.

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VISION SPOTLIGHT Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux

Contemplate the cross

by Jennifer Tomshack

The central image of Christianity receives unique expression within religious communities.

Jennifer Tomshack is editorial director of TrueQuest Communications, publisher of VISION Vocation Guide.

T

HE CROSS IS OUR GREATEST TEACHER,” writes Alice Camille in Seven Last Words. “It was meant to be an instrument of execution, but it became a source of salvation for all. . . . Contemplate it often.”

With that advice in mind, VISION invited religious communities to submit images of the crosses that serve as the symbol or inspiration for their distinct way of life. We were delighted to receive photos and stories of crosses made out of every material imaginable—wood, metal, glass, fabric—painted on canvas, fashioned into jewelry, and fit into window frames to adorn the community’s church, chapel, cemetery, or grounds or the members themselves. These simple yet powerful expressions of the central image of the Christian faith are an opportunity for all of us to contemplate the essence of Christian discipleship, particularly as it is made manifest within the diversity of consecrated life.

Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux Vina, California The Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux is home to a community of Cistercian 66 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

Enter #145 at VocationMatch.com

Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province

“

The diverse expressions of the cross are an opportunity to see the essence of consecrated life manifest in the central symbol of our faith.

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monks guided by ancient monastic tradition and living the Rule of Benedict. More commonly known as Trappist monks, they strive for a balance of prayer, hospitality, work, study, and sustainable stewardship of resources in simplicity and openness for the glory of God. The massive cross that stands over the cemetery in the cloister is a reminder to the monks that they have not finished persevering in their vows until they join their brothers under it.

Their lives begin, end, and begin again at the cross.

Congregation of Holy Cross, U.S. Province Notre Dame, Indiana Jesus called his first disciples along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, so it’s only natural that Christians place importance on the imagery of the sea, especially the anchor, a symbol of safety, strength, and grounding. The motto of the Congregation of Holy Cross, founders of the University of Notre Dame, University of Portland, King’s College, and Stonehill College, is “Hail the Cross our only Hope.” The symbols of the cross and anchor are merged in the order’s emblem, which is worn by every member as a reminder to them that they can rely on hope and as a sign to others that these are “men with hope to bring.”

Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province New York, New York The Tau Cross is one of the prominent symbols of the Franciscan Friars. The Tau is a letter in the Greek and Hebrew alphabets. In the writings of the prophet Ezekiel and in the book of Revelation, the Tau is a sign of salvation. It was adopted by Christians because of its cruciform shape, and Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order, used it as his personal coat of arms.

Franciscan Friars strive to live the gospel by following the example of the order’s founder. The Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Immaculate Conception are involved in parishes, retreat centers, missions, chaplaincies, and schools.

Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province

Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, Central Province Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, Central Province

St. Louis, Missouri The Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, Central Province, are members of a worldwide community whose lives and mission are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus and the spirit of its foundress, Saint Angela Merici. The cross they wear is worn by Ursulines on six continents. It represents the resurrected Christ and the order’s call to affirm all people, offering hope and joy to a divided world.

The Ursulines of the Central Province do this through education—a hallmark of Ursuline ministries—and spiritual and social services fields with outreach to immigrants, the dying, elderly homeless, and other disenfranchised populations. In particular, Ursulines strive to fulfill the commitment of Saint Angela to bring peace and reconciliation among peoples in a multicultural society.

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that are meaningful and relevant to the Dominican Order. Many of these icons are abstracted beyond recognition. This suggests the nature of change, transition, and growth. Being one thing today and becoming something different tomorrow. The dichronized mouth-blown rondel suggests the eternal nature of God, with no beginning and no end.”

For the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, the piece reflects the order’s mission to bring the gospel to bear with depth and compassion on the critical issues of our times.

Glenmary Sisters Owensboro, Kentucky

Dominican Sisters of San Rafael

The cross of the Glenmary Sisters has at its center a medallion, which is the community logo, “The Star of Bethlehem,” a quilt pattern popular in rural America.

The points and rays of the star symbolize how the order reaches out to all people. The points also symbolize the desire to reconcile all people and churches as well as the hospitality of the Glenmary charism.

The Glenmary Sisters have established missions in the impoverished rural areas of the South and Appalachia, where the Catholic population is usually less than 2 percent. The sisters help people become self-supportive, break the reins of poverty, and lead successful, Christian lives. Glenmary Sisters are currently missioned in western and eastern Kentucky, southeast Georgia, and southern Missouri.

Dominican Sisters of San Rafael San Rafael, California In 1990, a fire severely damaged the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, a multi-story Victorian built in 1889. It was replaced by an administration building and adjoining convents. At the front of the administration building’s main gathering space—used for celebrations, funerals, workshops, vigils, fundraisers, and speaking events—is an art glass installation of cross icons, produced by Gordon Huether of Architectural Glass Design.

The artist’s statement about the piece: “I paid keen attention to the historical aspects of the Dominican Order and the architecture of the original motherhouse.

The elements of this glass mural include many strong vertical columns that frame the fused glass icons. These icons are my interpretation of various Christian symbols

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Glenmary Sisters

Sisters of St. Francis

Sisters of St. Francis Clinton, Iowa “We see every person as a visible image of the invisible God and as a sister or brother in Christ,” according to the constitutions and directives of the Clinton, Iowa Sisters of St. Francis. The sisters’ chapel window, based on images from “Canticle of Creation” by Saint Francis of Assisi, is a reminder of how God’s light makes images visible. The sun, moon and stars, water and wind, fire and flowers also reinforce the order’s commitment to care for the earth. The window reflects how many-faceted the sisters themselves are: teachers, artists, attorneys, and mathematicians; innovators and advocates; chaplains and social workers; daughters, aunts, and cousins—and most important, servants of God. The sisters are devoted to peacemaking, service to the poor and marginalized, and a life of active nonviolence.

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Donaldson, Indiana The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ received a Tramp Art Cross as a gift. It now serves as a prominent symbol of their lives dedicated to proclaiming the presence of God in the world. This elaborate piece is made from simple cigar boxes. Tramp Art is a type of American folk art that dates from 1870 to 1930 and uses small pieces of wood, primarily from old cigar boxes and shipping crates, which are whittled with a pocketknife into geometric shapes and notched at right angles on the outside edges—a woodworking technique called “crown of thorns.”

The Poor Handmaids live a vowed life in community. They are inspired by Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Blessed Katherine Kasper, the order’s foundress, to listen prayerfully, live simply, and serve joyfully as they minister in parishes, health care, education, and social work.

Find more community crosses in our expanded article online.

Related article: vocationnetwork.org, Art: A way into prayer, VISION 2015.

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

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MEN’S COMMUNITIES A ­

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

Alexian Brothers (C.F.A.) Alexian Brothers is an 800 year old lay, apostolic congregation dedicated to prayer and serving our fellow man facing a variety of today’s challenges. We are committed to doing God’s work by actively providing love and compassionate care to the marginalized among us. Working in a variety of ministry settings, we reach out to serve the needs of the poor, elderly, hungry and incarcerated as well as those challenged by mental and physical illness.

By living in community, we continue to live a way of life through which we provide spiritual support and work towards social justice for those we are called to serve. Director of Vocations: Br. Paul Magner,C.F.A., 3040 W. Salt Creek Lane, Arlington Heights, IL 60005; 1-847-463-8904; e-mail: paul. magner@alexian.net; website: www.alexianbrothers. org. See our web ads at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 172. Code #141.

Augustinian Friars (O.S.A.)—Midwest Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel and Province of St. Joseph, Canada The Midwest and Canadian Provinces of the Augustinians are composed of 100 plus brothers and priests. We currently have 14 men in initial formation. The Augustinians trace their spiritual roots to St. Augustine, a 5th century Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Augustine writes in the very beginning of his Confessions, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Augustinian life is a shared journey to God, a life of contemplation and action, prayer and service. Our ministries include but are not limited to: secondary education, parish ministry, foreign missions, care for the sick and elderly, hospital chaplaincies, counseling, shrine ministry and retreat ministry. We currently minister in Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma and Wisconsin with missions in Peru and Japan. Vocation Director: Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., Vocation Office, 7740 S. Western Ave., Chicago IL 60620; (773) 776-3044; e-mail: vocations@midwestaugustinians.org; website: www.midwestaugustinians.org.

Latino inquirers please contact: Fr. Jorge Cleto, O.S.A., Casa Agustin, 16401 N.W. 37th Ave., Miami Gardens, FL 33045; (305) 474-0591; e-mail: vocaciones@losagustinos.org.

See ad on page 57. Code #207.

Augustinian Friars (O.S.A.)—Province of St. Thomas of Villanova The Villanova Province consists of 175 plus friars living in communities in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida with missions in Japan and Peru. With two institutions of higher learning, two high schools, and a number of parishes along the East Coast, we friars are found in various types of ministries and settings, working with the People of God and striving to be united in mind and heart intent upon God as St. Augustine challenges us.

We currently have 14 men in initial formation.

Vocation Director: Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., St. Thomas Monastery, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085; (610) 519-7548; e-mail: vocations@augustinian.org.; website: www.augustinian.org. Latino inquirers please contact: Fr. Jorge Cleto, O.S.A., Casa Agustin, 16401 N.W. 37th Ave., Miami Gardens, FL 33054; (305) 474-0591; e-mail: vocaciones@losagustinos.org.

See ad on page 57. Code #207.

Augustinian Friars (O.S.A.)—Western Province The Augustinians in the West are a small fraternity who work with and minister to both Anglo and Hispanic. No human being is a stranger to an Augustinian. We minister to youth at St. Augustine High in San Diego and Villanova Prep School in 72 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Ojai. We minister in five parishes in California and Oregon. We serve the poor in Tijuana, Mexico, where we conduct an orphanage. We enjoy pioneering efforts and in the past two decades have established a high school in California’s Central Valley, a retreat center in Oregon, and low income housing for families in south San Diego. Vocation Director: Fr. Tom Whelan, O.S.A., 108 Cole St., San Francisco, CA 94117-1116; (415) 387-3626; e-mail: osacole@pacbell.net.

See ad on page 57. Code #207.

Augustinian Monks of the Primitive Observance(O.S.A.Prim.) “Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you...You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in my breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace” (St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions).

We seek courageous men with open, obedient, flexible and joyful hearts. Monastic, contemplative, Eucharistic, Marian, sons of Holy Mother Church.

Augustinian Monks of the Primitive Observance, 2075 Mercers Fernery Rd., DeLand, FL 32720; (386) 736-4321; monks@augustinianmonks.com; website, www.augustinianmonks.com.

Code #020.

Augustinians of the Assumption (A.A.) The Assumptionists are a worldwide congregation of almost 900 religious located in 30 countries. We are experiencing an uptick in vocations among men inspired by our simple yet expansive motto: “Thy Kingdom Come.” What is it that makes us unique? The Assumption is traditional in insisting on the essentials: love of Jesus Christ before any other devotion, and love of his Body the Church. We are traditional too in embracing the Rule of St. Augustine and such monastic values as study, contemplation, silence, fraternal life, and common prayer. But we are still an apostolic order, and are modern in our desire to renew society using a language and means that will reach the people of our day. Our apostolate focuses on education in all its forms: university education, but also journalism, ecumenism, foreign missions, youth and campus ministry, the dialogue between faith and culture, and more. What is the secret of our joy? Come and see! www.assumptionists.org.

Contact: Br. Ronald Sibugan, A.A., Emmanuel House, 50 Old English Rd., Worcester, MA 01609; 508-215-9541; assumption.vocmin@gmail.com.

Code #328.

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Barnabite Fathers and Brothers (C.R.S.P.) [Clerics Regular of St. Paul] The Barnabite Fathers, the Clerics Regular of St. Paul, inspired to follow the spirit of St. Paul by their founder, St. Anthony M. Zaccaria, profess solemnly the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and live in communities that, from our beginnings in 1530, have been characterized by an intense life of interior renewal, centered on Christ Crucified and on the Eucharist, by a remarkable communal spirit, and dedication to spiritual renewal whose true purpose is the genuine honor of Christ, genuine availability to one’s neighbor and profound humility. We serve in the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, and South America in a variety of ministries including Spiritual Centers, parishes, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, NY, education, and the missions. For information see our website: www.barnabites.com or contact Rev. Peter

M. Calabrese, C.R.S.P., P.O. Box 167, Youngstown, NY 14174-0167; (716) 754-7489; e-mail: BarnabitesUSA@fatimashrine.com. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 150. Code #254.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Mount Angel Abbey Mount Angel Abbey in Saint Benedict, Oregon, is a community of 54 priests and brothers, living and working together according to the Rule of St. Benedict. We are pastors, scholars, teachers, artists, artisans, and skilled and unskilled laborers. We range in age from 19 to 89 years old with 17 men in monastic and priestly formation. Our primary apostolate is the monastic life of prayer and work. Since 1889 we have operated Mount Angel Seminary; the largest College and Graduate Seminary in the Western United States training men for the diocesan and religious priesthood. Our Abbey Library is a worldclass architectural structure with an outstanding collection available to our monks, students and the general public. Our guest house hosts and sponsors retreats for groups and individuals. Complimentary Monastic Discernment Retreats are held quarterly.

Contact Fr. Odo Recker, O.S.B., Mount Angel Abbey, One Abbey Drive, Saint Benedict, OR 97373; (503) 845-3123; e-mail: Odo.Recker@mtangel.edu; website:www.mountangelabbey.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 73. Code #365.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Mount Saviour Monastery Mount Saviour is a community of monks, some of whom are priests, seeking God together through an ever increasing openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That “in all things God may be glorified” we strive to witness to God’s presence in the world by living a simple, genuine and full monastic life through a harmonious balance of prayer, study, work, hospitality and leisure. We support ourselves by work within the enclosure of the monastery. Our location is rural and picturesque and provides a peaceful environment that encourages us to listen for the voice of God. To men who believe seeking God to be primary in their lives - come join our family. For more information, to arrange a visit or for a free copy of our documentary “The Everyday” contact: Vocation Director, Mount Saviour Monastery, 231 Monastery Rd., Pine City, NY 14871; (607) 734-1688; e-mail: vocations@ msaviour.org; website: www.msaviour.org.

Code #217.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Newark Abbey What are Monks doing in the City? The Benedictine Monks of Newark Abbey have been in the center of Newark, New Jersey since 1857.

Living in community according to the Rule of St. Benedict. We follow a daily schedule that balances prayer and work. We serve the people of God through our ministries in Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School, Saint Mary’s School, and Saint Mary’s Parish. We offer assistance to local parishes, chaplaincies in hospitals and colleges/universities.

So why don’t you come live the Rule of St. Benedict with us! Men ages 18-35 may contact the Vocation Director, Br. Patrick Winbush, O.S.B., Newark Abbey, 528 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102; (973) 792-5772; e-mail: vocations@sbp.org; website: www.newarkabbey.org.

See ad on page 20. Code #182.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint Anselm’s Abbey Set in its peaceful 40 acres in northeast Washington, DC, St. Anselm’s is a community of men dedicated to seeking God in prayer, work, and living a communal life under the Rule of St. Benedict

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG and an abbot. Central to the monastic life are first praying the Divine Office in choir and being faithful to personal prayer, for “nothing is to be preferred to the Work of God.” Brothers share in the common duties of housekeeping, grounds maintenance, care of the sick, food service, and guest house hospitality. The Abbey school on campus is an important ministry for the monks to students in grades six through twelve and their families. If one thinks of becoming a monk, St. Benedict insists in his Rule that newcomers be warned of the hardships monastic life entails, and that the beginning is bound to be difficult. But he promises that fidelity to the discipline of the monastic life will lead to “hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”

Contact: Vocation Director, St. Anselm’s Abbey, 4501 S. Dakota Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20017; (202) 269-2335; e-mail: vocations@stanselms.org; website: www.stanselms.org.

Code #204.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint Gregory’s Abbey St. Gregory’s Abbey, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is a community of monks, both priests and brothers, who seek God by living according to the Rule of St. Benedict and vows of obedience, stability and ongoing conversion. Arriving in 1875, our founders established the Catholic Church in what is now Oklahoma. Our communal life remains centered on the sacred liturgy, private prayer, the common life, work and fraternal support. This inspires and sustains us in the various ways by which we actively serve the Church and assist others. Members of our community work and minister in education through St. Gregory’s University and the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art—both located on our monastery campus—and in pastoral ministry, retreats, and hospitality. Contact: Fr. Boniface Copelin, O.S.B., St. Gregory’s Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee, OK 74804; (405) 878-5491; e-mail: vocations@stgregorys.edu; website: www.monksok.org.

Code #349.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint John’s Abbey Saint John’s Abbey is a Catholic Benedictine monastery of 130+ monks living, praying, and working together amid 2900 acres of woods, lakes, and prairies in central Minnesota. Our Apostolates include: parish ministry, chaplaincies, guesthouse, spiritual retreats, woodworking, Saint John’s Preparatory School, Saint John’s University, the graduate School of Theology and Seminary, the Liturgical Press, the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, and more. A monk of Saint John’s lives a life steeped in the rhythm of prayer, work, and community life

according to the Rule of Saint Benedict. This includes both private and community prayer, lectio divina, daily Eucharist, daily work, community meals, and fellowship together. Brother Paul-Vincent Niebauer, O.S.B., Vocation Director, Saint John’s Abbey, Box 2015, Collegeville, MN 56321; (320) 363-2548; e-mail: vocations@osb.org; website: www.abbeyvocations.com. Preferred age for monastic candidates: 23-43. Education: high-school diploma, minimum.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 16. Code #132.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint Joseph Abbey St. Joseph Abbey is a Benedictine Monastery located in St. Benedict, LA, just north of New Orleans. Presently the community has 32 members. The community has as its ministry the administration of St. Joseph Seminary College, 2 parishes, a retreat center, a woodworks industry, and a bakery in which the abbey provides bread for various social service agencies in the area. St. Joseph Abbey lives the Rule of St. Benedict by its daily commitment to the twofold aspect of Benedictine life: ora et labora—prayer and work. Contact Fr. Ephrem Arcement, O.S.B.; 75376 River Road, St. Benedict, LA 70457; (985) 892-1800 ext. 1301 or e-mail: frephrem@sjasc.edu. The abbey website is www.saintjosephabbey.com.

Code #408.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint Mary’s Abbey Maybe your place in God’s plan is our place, Saint Mary’s Abbey at Delbarton. Located in the hills of Morris County, NJ, our community of 45 monks seeks God by personal and communal prayer, and a variety of ministries. We are teachers and administrators at a preparatory school for boys and preachers and counselors at our retreat center.

We serve as chaplains at local colleges and pastors in area parishes. We invite men (ages 20-45, college graduate or equivalent in life experience) to share our vision. Click on our website for up-to-date vocation and discernment retreat information. Vocation Director, 230 Mendham Road, Morristown, New Jersey 07960-4899; (973) 538-3231, ext.

2111; e-mail: vocations@delbarton.org; website: www.saintmarysabbey.org or www.osbmonks. org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 161. Code #088.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint Mary’s Monastery, Petersham, MA St. Mary’s Monastery is a contemplative Benedictine community of monks located in a forested setting in Petersham, MA. As part of the 1500-year-old tradition of Benedictine monastic life, we seek God and strive to grow in love through following the Rule of St. Benedict with its vows of obedience, stability, and conversion of life. In responding to Christ’s call and supporting one another, our small community of priests and brothers has a balance of prayer, lectio divina, and work within the monastery. Our day is centered on the liturgy, as we sing daily Mass and the full Divine Office in Gregorian Chant together with our twin community of nuns, St. Scholastica Priory. This daily liturgy and the rhythm of the liturgical seasons shape our life with God. Contact: Br. Bernard, St. Mary’s Monastery, 271 N. Main St. P.O. Box 345, Petersham, MA 01366; (978) 7243350; e-mail: monks@stmarysmonastery.org; website: www.stmarysmonastery.org.

See ad on page 64. Code #485.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint Meinrad Archabbey Saint Meinrad Archabbey is a Roman Catholic monastery located in rural southern Indiana. Monks live a common life of shared work and

Enter #365 at VocationMatch.com prayer, according to the Rule of St. Benedict, and serve the Church through their prayer five times a day including daily Eucharist, and their works of education (Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology), retreat ministry and hospitality, pastoral assistance to local parishes, and the ownership and operation of Abbey Press and Abbey Caskets. Saint Meinrad is a spiritual center for many people of faith and is known for its beautiful liturgy and its service to the local and broader Church. A formal come-and-see experience, “A Monastic Observance,” is scheduled each year, December 27-Jan. 1, and personal visits can be arranged for almost any time of the year. For more information or to inquire about visiting, contact: Office of Monastery Vocations, 100 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN 47577; (812) 357-6318; e-mail: vocations@saintmeinrad. edu; website: www.saintmeinrad.org.

See ad on page 145. Code #014.

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint Procopius Abbey We Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, IL, have since 1885 been seeking God through a life of prayer, obedience, and personal conversion. We live in a community guided by the monastic wisdom tradition of the Rule of St. Benedict, written nearly fifteen hundred years ago. Under an abbot chosen for his skill in interpreting this rule for our present time, we strive for holiness by means of the Divine Office, lectio divina, personal growth in the contemplative life, and labor for the good of God’s Holy Church. Our labors are especially directed toward the schools that we founded and continue to sponsor, Benet Academy and Benedictine University, and toward helping in nearby parishes. For further information, please contact Fr. James at vocations@procopius.org or 630-829-9279.

Also, please visit our website, www.procopius.org.

Code #465.

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MEN’S COMMUNITIES

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Saint Bede Abbey Prayer, work, community, stability, balance.

Sound good to you? They can be yours as a Benedictine monk. St. Bede Abbey in Peru, IL is home to twenty-two monks, both priests and brothers.

The community was founded in 1890. The monks serve the Church universal and local in a variety of ways: a college prep, co-ed, day and boarding high school; parish and hospital ministry; hospitality.

Work is tailored to the talents, abilities and interests of each monk that God may be glorified in all things. Men, ages 21-45, interested in a stable, community life of prayer and work, are invited to inquire and visit to experience first-hand what monastic life is all about. Don’t hesitate. Now is the acceptable time to contact Br. Robert Pondant, O.S.B., St. Bede Abbey, 24 W US Highway 6, Peru, IL 61354; (815) 250-0282; e-mail: rpondant@stbede.com ; website: www.stbedeabbey.org.

Code #468.

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.)—Subiaco Abbey If you have never thought of being a monk before, then we’re the place for you! You will find that our abbey is no different from others in that our life is lived as a balance of prayer and work. Like others, we pray the Office and Mass everyday of our lives. Like others, work flows from our prayer as we undertake involvement in our College-Prep Academy, our Farm, our Vineyards, our Carpentry and Tailor shops, our Retreat Center, and our Parishes. Three differences stand out: with 40 monks we are equally divided between brothers and priests who live our life as one monastic family; we are actually thriving as a monastic community with ten men in formation from throughout the United States; and people tell us we are the most unpretentious monks they have ever met! We love being monks! Contact Br. Francis at 479-438-9115 or vocations@subi.org or www. benedictinemonks.org.

See ad on page 37. Code #256.

Brothers of Charity The Brothers of Charity is an international Congregation of Religious Brothers and Associate Members. Inspired by the charism of their founder, Servant of God, Peter Joseph Triest of Belgium, the Brothers passionately live their vocation, charism, and mission as a community of Brothers for those on the margins of society.

Believing in the value of all human beings, regardless of how disfigured they may be, Brothers and Associates strive to reach them by being the agent of the Love of God in hope they may experience some small part of the joy of Resurrection. The Congregation of nearly 600 Brothers, 170 Associate Members and thousands of co-workers assist with compassion and professionalism in 33 countries on four continents. Our charitable works include ministry with mentally ill, deaf, physically and developmentally disabled, homeless, AIDS, drug and alcohol dependency, psychologically distressed, mobile health clinics, and the full spectrum of childhood education. We need you, and invite you to join our mission. Contact: Brother John FitzGerald, 7720 Doe Lane, Laverock, PA 19038; (215) 887-6361; e-mail: jfitzfc@aol.com; www.brothersofcharity.org.

Code #342.

Brothers of Christian Instruction (F.I.C.) Our community of Brothers was founded to “make Jesus Christ known” according to Fathers John de La Mennais and Gabriel Deshayes who established the congregation at Saint Brieuc, Brittany, France in 1819. Today, with nearly 900 members in 24 countries, the Brothers’ educational mission is primarily as teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators in Catholic high schools and colleges. Brothers may also minister as retreat directors, spiritual directors and counselors, pastoral associates, and in foreign missions especially in East Africa, Japan, and the Philippines. In the United States Brothers are called to live a simple, prayerful, community lifestyle in Alfred, ME, and at Walsh University, North Canton, OH. Single, Catholic men seeking to become Brothers and those interested in Associate membership should contact: Bro. Albert Heinrich, PO Box 159, Alfred, ME 04002; (207) 324-6612; e-mail: ficbros@yahoo.com; website: www.brothersofchristianinstruction.org.

See ad on page 146. Code #206.

The Brothers of the Christian Schools (F.S.C. Fratres Scholarum Christianarum) The Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers) are the largest group of lay religious 74 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG men in the Catholic Church dedicated exclusively to the ministry of education. As Brothers (not priests), our mission is to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor. Together in community, we live out the Gospel and our Lasallian charism as elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, university professors, counselors, missionaries, social workers, youth ministers, campus ministers, administrators, and retreat directors. Internationally, some 4,500 Brothers serve in 80 countries.

In the United States, our ministries include 6 Colleges/Universities, 54 high schools, 16 middle schools and 15 educational centers. The Founder of the Brothers was St. John Baptist de La Salle (1651–1719) who is Patron Saint of All Teachers of Youth in the Catholic Church. We invite energetic, generous, and committed men to discern with us. Vocation Director, Christian Brothers Conference, McCormick Pavilion at Theological College, 415 Michigan, NE, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20017; (202) 529-0047; e-mail: info@ brothersvocation.org; website: www.brothersvocation.org.

See ad on page 147. Code #100.

Brothers of the Sacred Heart (S.C.) The Brothers of the Sacred Heart were founded in 1821 by Father André Coindre, a French priest who responded to the needs of marginalized youth.

Today, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart shape the lives of youth with the love of Christ in 32 countries. As Brothers, we live in community and gather together daily for prayer, for Eucharist, to share experiences, and to support one another. As Brothers we contribute to the evangelization of the world particularly through the education of youth. In the U.S., we minister in schools, parishes, college campuses, and literacy centers. As Brothers we imitate Jesus who proclaimed Himself as Brother to all. If you would like to change the world by making a difference in the lives of young people, please contact Bro. Ronald Hingle, rhinglesc@gmail.com; 504-9130005 or Bro. Mike Migacz, mikemigacz@hotmail.com; 732-718-8559; BrothersoftheSacredHeart.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 138. Code #203.

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Capuchin Franciscan Friars (O.F.M. Cap.) The Capuchins are a distinctive Order within the Franciscan family.

They are an evangelical brotherhood of men who preach, serve the physically and spiritually poor, teach, administer the sacraments, cook, and counsel in various settings in North America. Some friars are also missionaries in Africa, Asia, Central America, and the South Pacific.

There are approximately 11,000 Capuchin friars worldwide, with about 800 of those living within nine provinces throughout Canada and the U.S. For more information contact the Capuchin Vocation Office nearest you. Western America: P.O. Box 618, Solvang, CA 93464-0618, (805) 6864127, e-mail: peterbanksofmcap@yahoo.com, website: www.beafriar.com. Mid-America: (303) 477-5436, e-mail: vocations@capuchins.org, website: www.capuchins.org. Pennsylvania: (888) 263-6227, e-mail: frtomcap@yahoo.com, website: www.capuchin.com. Midwest USA: (773) 475-6206, e-mail: vocation@capuchinfranciscans.org, website: www.capuchinfranciscans. org. New York/New England: (845) 642-1025, e-mail: brotimjonesofmcap@gmail.com, website: www.capuchin.org/vocations. New Jersey/South-

east USA: (201) 863-3871, e-mail: capuchinlife@ aol.com, website: www.capuchinfriars.org.

See ad on page 165. Code #091.

Carmelite Friars (O. Carm.)—St. Elias Province Carmelite Friars are consecrated religious men who seek the face of God. Following after the great Prophet Elijah, the Carmelite Friars hear God’s voice and respond. Founded as one of the first religious orders to be named after the Blessed Virgin Mary, we carry on the 800 year tradition of prayer, brotherhood, and work. While the types of work vary, Carmelites are firmly rooted in the presence of God. Our saints give heavenly witness to the many blessings God has bestowed on the Order of Carmelites. Contact Brother Robert E. Bathe, O.Carm, P.O. Box 3079, Middletown, NY 10940; (845) 344-2225; e-mail: ocarmvoc@ frontiernet.net; website: www.carmelitefriars.org.

Code #307.

Claretian Missionaries (C.M.F.) [Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary] The Claretians are an apostolic congregation of 3,000 priests, brothers, and deacons in the Catholic Church dedicated to the most urgent needs of evangelization and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in over 60 countries. We were founded by St. Anthony Claret, who fostered the special charism of evangelization through community, mission, and prayer with a strong devotion to Our Blessed Mother and the Eucharist. We serve in a wide variety of ministries in: parishes, Hispanic/Intercultural Ministry, Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry, Migrant ministry, Hospital Chaplaincies, Bible Institutes, Media Ministry (Claretian Publications and Radio Ministry), lay leadership training, summer camps, promotion of the National Shrine of St. Jude, Social Justice advocacy, and outreach to the poor and marginalized. Contact: Fr. Jose Sánchez CMF (818) 825-0839 or via e-mail at vocation@claretianvocation.org.

Vocation website: www.claretianvocation. org. Province website: www.claretiansusa.org.

See ad on page 141. Code #092.

Columban Missionaries (SSC) St. Columban Foreign Mission Society, aka, The Columban Fathers, began in 1918, in response to the need for evangelization in China. Since then the Columbans have been called to mission in other countries of the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific Rim, Latin America, Europe and the United States. We are a Society of Apostolic Life and we welcome vocations to the priesthood from the 15 countries where we serve the Gospel.

As a diverse and multicultural Society of missionary priests we are engaged with the world, sharing our lives and faith in Jesus Christ with other cultures and religious traditions. We strive to live out the social teaching of the church though our pastoral presence and preaching, as well as through a variety of projects and movements geared toward social justice and stewardship of the environment, especially as these impact the poor. We are people of prayer committed to the mission of Jesus and moving forward the work of God’s Kingdom. Join us on the journey! Fr. Bill Morton, SSC, Vocation Coordinator, PO Box 10, St. Columbans, NE 68056, toll free 877-299-1920, vocations@columban.org; website: www.columban.org; Facebook: Columban Vocations; Twitter: columbancalling.

Code#224.

PRIESTS What kinds of ministry do you like most?

I like teaching. Also, I like to listen to people, especially those who are suffering.

Growing up, did you think you might become a religious priest?

I dreamt of helping people. I always felt compassion for the elderly and sick, so I studied nursing and was thinking of becoming a doctor. But then I felt the call to religious life when I read the biography of Saint Dominic.

Your favorite food?

Mole, of course!

What first drew you to religious life?

The community life. Coming from a large extended family, I like knowing that there is always someone to help you and look out for you.

Best ministry experiences to date?

Listening to the testimony of young immigrants from Central America. I saw how important it is for me to be part of religious life in order to be with those who suffer.

Finding a call across the miles

What do you do for fun?

JOSÉ VELÁZQUEZ, O.S.C.

I like to paint with oils, and I enjoy walks in the woods.

Several years ago, college student José Velázquez’s curiosity about religious life overcame major barriers of distance.

A native of Mexico studying in the Guadalajara region, Velázquez met some Indonesian priests who were Crosiers.

Impressed, he wrote to the congregation’s office in Rome, striking up a correspondence with a Crosier priest. Eventually, he got to know Crosiers in Arizona and sensed God was calling him to join them. Today, he is a Crosier seminarian.

What gives you hope about religious life?

That we can show the world an alternative way of life—a life that helps you be more human.

GARY FELDHEGE

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SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

work around the world; give material support to and teach migrant farm workers; minister at hospitals, with the homeless, offer services to refugees; serve in elementary and secondary schools, and colleges; are involved in Youth Ministry; provide education services for adults; and assist in parish and diocesan ministries. Are you called to serve others as an Edmund Rice Christian Brother? Br. Jim McDonald, 4219 Constance St., New Orleans, LA 70115-1400; phone/text: 815.272.7742; e-mail: bromaccfc@yahoo.com; website: www.edmundricebrothers.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ads on pages 125, 127. Code #095.

Enter #411 at VocationMatch.com Comboni Missionaries (M.C.C.J.) Comboni Missionaries (M.C.C.J.) Over 4,000 priests, brothers, sisters and lay missionaries in 42 around the world, this institute focuses on those St. Daniel Comboni loved as “the poorest and most abandoned people in the world.” In Africa, the Americas, and Asia, their apostolic work consists of evangelization—quite often first evangelization—empowering people in the process of ministering to their own needs within the religious and the broader human contexts. In North America, the priests and brothers do ministry among the poor in New Jersey, Ohio, California, Illinois, and Ontario. The sisters work among the poor in Virginia and Maryland. Persons interested in checking out vocational opportunities for Comboni priests, brothers, sisters or lay missionaries can use the contact information that follows; their inquiries will be directed as appropriate. North American Province, 1318 Nagel Road, Cincinnati, OH 54255; (513) 474-4997; e-mail: info@ComboniMissionaries.org; website: http://www.ComboniMissionaries. org; or Fr. John Converset, (973) 744-8080; e-mail: j44converset@gmail.com; Fr. Ruffino Ezama, (513) 846-8457; e-mail: vocation@combonimissionaries. org; Fr. Chris Aleti, (708) 339-6732; e-mail: amadriga67@gmail.com; Fr. Jose Alberto Pimentel Guzman; (973) 685-6338; e-mail: joalpigu@msn.com..

See ad on page 170. Code #123.

Congregation of Christian Brothers (C.F.C.) We are seeking men who sense a call to live in prayerful community and who wish to minister to those at the margins. Are you inspired to place your gifts, talents, and possessions to meet the needs of God’s people, especially the young? Brothers conduct missionary 76 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.) The Congregation of Holy Cross was founded in France in 1837.

Blessed Basil Moreau began a community of priests, brothers and sisters, to educate the children of LeMans, France, and to assist in the diocese as auxiliary priests. In just five years, he sent six brothers and a priest to the United States as missionaries where they began the school in northern Indiana that eventually became the University of Notre Dame.

The priests and brothers serve at five other institutions of higher learning: St. Edward’s University (Austin, TX), the University of Portland (Portland, OR), King’s College (Wilkes-Barre, PA), Stonehill College (North Easton, MA), and Holy Cross College (Notre Dame, IN) as well as many high schools. Today Holy Cross religious serve in parishes, schools, and missions in 15 countries spanning the world. In 2010, the Congregation celebrated the canonization of Brother André Bessette, who was known as “The Miracle Man of Montreal” and oversaw the building of St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal. To learn more visit our websites: www.holycrossvocations.org [Priests]; www.holycrossbrothers.org [Brothers]; www.holycrosscongregation.org.

See ad on page 9. Code #097.

Congregation of St. Basil (C.S.B.) Founded in 1822 in France by ten diocesan priests to educate youth and prepare candidates for the priesthood, the Basilian Fathers are inspired by the life, teaching, and example of St. Basil the Great. Our spirituality is best characterized by a blend of values from the diocesan priesthood and religious life. Our primary work is Evangelization and Education in high schools, universities, and parishes. We exist to proclaim and teach in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Founded in France, we currently serve in Canada, US, Mexico, and Colombia. We are guided by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience with lives centered on Jesus Christ. For more information contact the Vocation Director at 95 St. Joseph St. Toronto, ON M5S 2R9.

Phone: (416) 925-4368 x239 Or e-mail: vocation@ basilian.org. Website: www.basilian.org.

See ad on page 76. Code #411.

Congregation of the Mission (C.M.) (See Vincentian Priests and Brothers) Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC.) The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary—United States Province, consists of priests, brothers and sisters and includes a secular branch of affiliated lay associates. Our Gospel lifestyle is centered in Eucharistic Celebration and Adoration, in living communally with a spirit of family, and in apostolic service to the poor and un-evangelized. We strive to contemplate, live and proclaim God’s love, as symbolized by the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Like those hearts, we are united in suffering and in joy. Saint Damien of Molokai, a Sacred Hearts missionary known for his service to victims of Hansen’s Disease (leprosy), has inspired many to join our community. Founded in France

in 1800, we are currently ministering in over 30 countries. Contact: Fr. Joseph Pasala, ss.cc. P.O. Box 111, Fairhaven, MA 02719; (508) 993-2442 ext. 205; e-mail: vocations@sscc.org; website: www.sscc.org.

See ad on page 83. Code #230.

Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata (C.S.S.) Stigmatine Priests and Brothers belong to an international community headquartered in Rome, with houses in the U.S., Italy, England, German, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Botswana, Brazil Paraguay, Chile, India, Georgia (Russia), the Philippines, and Thailand. St. Gaspar Bertoni founded in 1816 and entrusted the Congregation to the protection and patronage of Mary and Joseph, the Holy Spouses, because their marriage prepared, welcomed, and educated the mission of the Son of God. CSS motto, “Euntes Docete” is Latin for “Go Forth and Teach.”

Apostolic work: seminary formation, spiritual direction, counseling, retreats, campus/youth/parish ministry, voluntary foreign missions, parish missions.

Stigmatine formation offers a customized academic program based on individual background, but maintains a common character by the quest to unity in life through contemplation and apostolic activity, shared fraternity, dedication to work, quest for excellence, coupled with humility. Men ages 18-45 are invited to contact Fr. Geoff Deeker, 554 Lexington St., Watham, MA 02452-3097; (413) 822-0904; e-mail: geoffd@ stigmatines.com; www.stigmatines.com..

Code #046.

Contemplatives of Saint Joseph (COSJ); Archdiocese of San Francisco, CA The COSJ, a Catholic religious order of men, was founded recently within the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The priests and brothers of the COSJ lead a life of deep contemplative prayer and serve in an Active Apostolate within the Archdiocese of San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area dioceses. We are a Public Clerical Association of the Christian Faithful as decreed by Most Reverend Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco. The priests and brothers, immersing themselves in contemplative prayer, desire to enter into the kingdom of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

With St. Joseph, they bear about them a prayerful interior silence which aids their daily contemplative and intercessory prayer, as well as helping them to bring the Light of God’s love into the Active Apostolate. The priests and brothers spend significant part of each day in contemplative spiritual practice.

For additional information contact our Superior: information@cosj.info or our Vocations Manager: vocations@cosj.info; (267) 500-4155; website: www. contemplativesofstjoseph.com.

See ad on page 152. Code #484.

Crosier Fathers and Brothers (O.S.C.) Crosiers long to imitate Christ through the union of mind and heart in community and through a life of liturgical prayer and ministry. Guided by the Rule of Augustine, we live together for God alone, serving the Church and the people of God. Consider becoming a Crosier if you have a deep passion to follow Christ, if you desire to live in a community of priests and brothers where you live for God alone by seeking to combine contemplative routines with a shared ministerial life, and if you feel called to join with other men who love the liturgy of the Church and who are committed to common prayer. Crosiers are an international order headquartered in Rome, with U.S. communities in Onamia, Minnesota, and Phoenix, Arizona. Contact Fr. Dave Donnay, osc, or Br. Timothy Tomczak, osc, at 4423 N. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016; (800) 407-5875; vocations@crosier.org, or www.crosiervocations.org.

Code #099.

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

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Discalced Carmelite Friars, (O.C.D.)—Washington Province We are a religious Order with eremitic roots on Mount Carmel from the late 12th century. In 16th century Spain, St. Teresa of Jesus, with St. John of the Cross, initiated the “Discalced Reform” within the Carmelite Order which became a new, separate Order. The friars desire a life of faithful prayer, seeking union with God through a “life of allegiance to Jesus Christ.”

Our Constitutions mandate two hours of silent prayer every day. Our ministries include retreat work, spiritual direction, publications, a Marian shrine and mission work in Kenya. As brothers in community we live as a family at the service of the Church—to bear a message of hope, to be a quiet but constant sign of God’s presence in the world. In the company of Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we ponder the words of her Son and the mystery of His Love. Vocation Director, 1525 Carmel Rd., Hubertus, WI 53033; e-mail: ocdvocation@gmail.com; website: www.discalcedfriars.org; phone: (262) 628-1838.

See ad on page 55. Code #434.

The Dominican Friars (O.P.) [Order of Preachers] Pope John Paul II, when he received the General Council of the Dominicans in his private library, told them: “Only those who have the experience of God can speak of him convincingly to others. At the school of Saint Dominic and of all the Dominican saints, you are called to be teachers of truth and of holiness.” Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221) was on fire with the love of God when he found the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) and gathered around him a group of men dedicated to preaching the truth of God’s endless love. Since that time Dominicans have continued their legacy of preaching in any given time or place, and in the most effective and suitable ways, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Feel free to contact any of the four geographic Provinces for more information: Central United States, St. Albert the Great Province; e-mail: vocations@opcentral.org; (312) 243-0011 ext. 726; website: www.opcentral. org/join-us. Eastern United States, St. Joseph Province; e-mail: vocations@dominicanfriars.org; (800) 529-1205; website: www.dominicanfriars. org. Western United States, The Most Holy Name of Jesus Province; e-mail: vocations@opwest.org; (510) 658-8722; website: www.opwest.org. Southern United States, St. Martin de Porres Province, e-mail: vocations@opsouth.org; (504) 837-2129 ext. 6; website: www.opsouth.org/vocations.

See ad on page 39. Code #228.

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Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn (O.S.F.) The Religious Brothers of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis (OSF) were founded in 1858 in Brooklyn, NY, USA. We are a Community of all Brothers.

Our Consecrated Life consists of living the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience according to the Franciscan Third Order Regular Rule and our Community Constitutions. Our evangelical Franciscan life is composed of prayer, community life, and apostolic work meeting the needs of God’s people, mostly through secondary and higher education as well as other apostolic services. The religious habit, worn by the brothers consists of a simple black tunic and capuche and girded at the waist with a white cord with three knots at the right. From the cord on the left is suspended the Franciscan Crown Rosary of the seven joys of Mary. Initial Formation consists of at least one year of Candidacy (postulancy), one year of Canonical Novitiate, three years of Temporary Vows, followed by Perpetual Vows. For more information contact the Vocation Director: Brother Louis Miritello, OSF; e-mail: fbbvocations@gmail.com or phone: (631) 418-8522; websites: www.franciscanbrothers. org and www.franciscanbrothersosf.org.

See ad on page 15. Code #102.

Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.)—Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province The Franciscan Friars of the Assumption BVM Province joyfully strive to witness to the presence of Christ in the world and proclaim the Gospel through our prayer, our life in fraternity and in a life of minority after the Rule and example of our founder, St. Francis of Assisi. As Franciscans, we serve the People of God in a variety of ministries, including parishes, education, preaching, chaplaincies, working among the poor, and in both foreign and domestic missions. We seek to serve wherever people need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and to experience God in their lives. Visit us at www.franciscan-friars.org. Contact: Fr. Mike Surufka, OFM, SS. Francis and Clare Friary, 9230 W. Highland Park Avenue, Franklin, WI 53132; toll free (877) 636-3742; e-mail: frmikeofm@ gmail.com; website: www.franciscan-friars.org.

See ad on page 2. Code #478 Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.)—Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the youngest of the US Franciscan Provinces.

Founded in 1985, we minister to the Native American communities of the Navajo and Pueblo Indians as well as the Hispanic and the Anglo communities of the Southwest. We have ministry sites and parishes primarily in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, but also sponsor ministry projects in Viet Nam and The Philippines. The friars of OLG Province strive to place community life, prayer, worship, evangelization, and service at the heart of our life as Friars. The Vocation Office discerns with those between the ages of 18 and 35 interested in collaborating with us, including vocations from outside the US. If you would like more information, contact Father Charlie Martinez, OFM at charlieofm@aol.com, by phone at 210-693-9961, or through our website at www.olgofm.org.

See ad on page 2. Code #478 Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.)—Province of Saint Barbara The Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Barbara are members of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209.

Like St. Francis and his original followers, presentday friars are called to be brothers to all creation, persons of prayer engaged in active service. Our friars are involved in a broad range of ministries, including outreach to the poor, sacramental and parish ministry, retreat work, hospital and prison

Enter #370 at VocationMatch.com chaplaincy, education, social advocacy, foreign and Native American mission work, and more. Friars of the St. Barbara Province currently serve in the states of California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Arizona, as well as in Mexico, Russia, and the Holy Land. In their ministry among different peoples, the friars try to bring with them the essence of their traditional greeting: “Peace and All Good!” For more information, contact Brother Eric Pilarcik, OFM, at vocations@sbofm.org or (408) 903-3422; website: sbfranciscans.org; Facebook: www.facebook.com/ SBFranciscans.Vocations.

See ad on page 2. Code #478 Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.)—Province of the Immaculate Conception The Franciscans of the Province of the Immaculate Conception began in 1855 when Friar Panfilo da Magliano came from Italy to minister to Catholics in Upstate New York. He founded St. Bonaventure University, two Provinces and three groups of women religious, and his brothers spread throughout New York and New England to spread the Good News. Today, faithful to the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, we minister in New York, New England, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Toronto, Canada; and our mission in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala administering parishes, schools, retreat centers, reaching out to the poor, and anywhere that God leads us. If you are between the ages of 18-38 and would like to explore the possibility of a life with us contact our Vocation Office at 1-800521-5442 or vocations@icprovince.org. Visit our website: www.liveRadically.org or find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FranciscanVocation.

See ads on pages 2, 77. Code #370.

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Divine Word Missionaries (S.V.D.) As Divine Word Missionary priests and brothers, we are men of prayer and faith, serving where the Gospel has not yet been preached, or where the local church is not yet viable.

Each of us is involved in a particular, unique ministry as we spread the Word of God. There are over 6,000 of us ministering in over 70 countries worldwide. As one of the largest international missionary congregations in the Catholic Church, we believe that His Mission is our Mission. Our steady growth is a result of our response to the changing needs of the Church and the people we serve. Internationalism, education and professional skills are the foundations of our society. We offer five formation programs: Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa; an Associate Program for college graduates; Brother Formation Program; our Novitiate is in Techny, Illinois; and Divine Word Theologate in Chicago. For more information, contact: Vocation Director, Divine Word Missionaries, P.O. Box 380, Epworth, IA 52045; 800-553-3321; e-mail: svdvocations@dwci.edu; website: www.svdvocations. org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 136. Code #177.

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.)—Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Holy Name Province is the largest community of Franciscan friars in the United States. As an evangelical and missionary fraternity of more than 300 men, we serve the people of God in a wide variety of ministries—colleges, parishes, urban ministry centers, and social outreach—along the East Coast as well as in foreign countries. Rooted in the Catholic and Franciscan tradition, we seek to bring the Gospel into the everyday experience of all people through teaching, popular preaching and pastoral leadership. We foster Christian discipleship by collaborating with those whom we serve and by standing in solidarity with all people, especially the alienated, the immigrant, and the poor. If you are between the ages of 21 and 45 and would like more information on the Franciscan friars, please contact Br. Basil Valente, OFM, Vocation Director, at 1-800677-7788 or vocation@hnp.org, or visit our website at www.BeAFranciscan.org.

See ad on page 2. Code #478 Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.)—Province of the Sacred Heart Our Province is a community of Franciscan Friars in the mid-west of the United States, Alaska, Texas, and Louisiana. We minister at home and in the foreign missions of Brazil, Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam. We seek to bring the Gospel into the everyday experience of all people through teaching, preaching, and a pastoral setting. We minister to people in a variety of contexts: the poor and the outcast, immigrants, disadvantaged, marginalized, in hospitals, parishes, schools, spiritual direction, etc.

Our friars are ordained and non-ordained. Following the desire of St. Francis of Assisi, our friars are encouraged to use their skills and gifts to minister in the Church and to serve the human family. If you are between the ages of 21 and 40 and would like more information about us, please contact our Vocation Office at 773-753-1925 or www.befranciscan.com.

See ads on pages 2, 129. Code #283.

Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.)—Saint John the Baptist Province We Friars of Saint John the Baptist Province are part of the world-wide Franciscan Order which was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi over 800 years ago. The first members of our Province arrived in Cincinnati, OH in 1844. Since then we have been serving the Catholic Church in a wide variety of ministries. Presently we serve in high schools and universities, parishes, hospitals (as nurses and chaplains), in inner city ministries, retreat ministry, publishing (books, catechetical aides, CDs and audio books at Franciscan Media), and domestic and foreign missions. In all of our ministries we preach the Good News of Jesus primarily by living as brothers to one another and to the world with a special emphasis on giving a voice to the marginalized in our society. See our website (www.franciscan.org) for more information. Or contact our Vocation Director, Fr. Luis Aponte-Merced, O.F.M. at (513) 542-1082, at sjbvocations@franciscan.org, or at Vocation Office, 5000 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45223-1213. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See our ad on page 2. Code #233.

Franciscan Friars, Conventual The Conventual Franciscans are the oldest of the three branches of the First Order of St. Francis. The word Conventual is derived from the Latin convenire, “to come together”; hence we live together in “convents” or friaries. Our Order is spread throughout the world, and includes about 4500 priests and brothers who are all commonly called Friars. There are four provinces in North America, which also have responsibility for jurisdictions in the UK, Ireland and Australia. We 78 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG wear a black or gray habit with a simple three-knotted cord representing our Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. The Spiritual Center of the Order is in Assisi, Italy, where our Friars care for the Basilica of St. Francis, which includes his tomb. In addition, the Conventuals are the Vatican confessors at St. Peter’s Basilica. In Christ’s name, we continue the ministry of healing so fundamental to the understanding of Saint Francis. To talk to a Friar or for more information, please visit our website at www.FranciscanS.org.

Code #098.

Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular (T.O.R.)— Immaculate Conception Province Mission Statement: “Following Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis, we are a fraternity of men who freely vow ourselves to living in communion as brothers. We strive to live the Gospel through gentleness, hospitality, and service. We seek to address the changing needs of the Church and the world by calling ourselves and others to prayer and conversion.” Our friars use their gifts to respond to the needs of the Church and world serving as parish priests, retreat directors, educators, chaplains, campus ministers, artists, advocates for ecological and social justice and pastoral ministers.

The strength of our formation program is its flexible response to each person’s unique personality and gifts. Our friars serve in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Ohio and Minnesota. If you are 40 or younger and would like more information contact: Fr. David Kaczmarek, T.O.R., 501 Walnut St., Hollidaysburg, PA 166481529; 1-800-220-0867; e-mail: davidktor@yahoo. com; website: www.franciscanfriarstor.com. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 14. Code #295.

Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (S.A.) The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement have long been leaders in the worldwide ecumenical movement to heal divisions within Christianity. In 1908 we began an annual prayer movement (January 18-25) that developed into the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today, the Friars mission of “at-one-ment” includes dialogue among Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists; serving the homeless and those suffering from alcoholism, drug addictions, and HIV/AIDS; preaching the gospel in parishes around the world, and offering respite and hope to those in need of spiritual renewal. In the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, we offer a prayerful communal life with active service to the Church in the United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, England. Inquire about our “Come and See” programs offered each year in Spring and Fall. Contact Vocation Office, 40 Franciscan Way, Graymoor, Garrison, NY 10524-0300; (800) 338-2620, ext. 2126; fax: 845-424-2170; e-mail: vocdirector@atonementfriars.org; website: www.AtonementFriars.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 159. Code #003.

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Glenmary Home Missioners (G.H.M.) Glenmary Home Missioners is a Catholic society of priests and brothers, who, along with coworkers, serve the spiritual and material needs of communities throughout Appalachia and the South. Glenmary brings a Catholic presence to counties where less than three percent of the population is Catholic, a significant percent of residents are unchurched and the poverty rate is twice the national average.

For more information contact Brother David Henley, PO Box 465618, Cincinnati, OH 45246; 800935-0975; vocation@glenmary.org; or visit our web page www.glenmary.org.

See ad on page 22. Code #103.

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Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Province of the Good Shepherd in North America (OH) are men who have devoted their lives to the values of St. John of God—Hospitality, Compassion, Respect, Justice, and Excellence. Hospitaller Brothers are world wide in 50+ countries, all 5 continents with over 400 centers. Our legacy is the Charism of Hospitality. We devote ourselves to our mission, following the example of our Founder, to the sick and marginalized by welcoming everyone as they are. In the way we live and act, we manifest our hospitality. Vocations inquiries: m.corkery@videotron.ca; brobillbgs@hotmail.com; cjsearson@hotmail.com or www.goodshepherdprovince.org.

See ad on page 55. Code #344.

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Jesuits (S.J.) [Society of Jesus] Faithful.

Prayerful. Passionate. Authentic. Hopeful.

Committed. Justice. Service. The largest order of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church, living in vowed communities, contemplatives in action, global in mission, serving the people of God in thousands of ministries, called to the frontiers of human experience and need. Is God calling you to join us? JesuitVocations.org; Twitter & Instagram: @BeAJesuit.

See ad on page 4. Code #104.

Josephite Priests and Brothers (S.S.J.) [The Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart] We are a society dedicated solely to serving the spiritual and temporal needs of the African-American community.

The society serves in parishes, schools and special ministries in the dioceses and archdioceses in the United States and the District of Columbia. Our major seminary in Washington, DC, where our seminarians reside as they pursue their graduate degree in theology, also houses The Josephite Pastoral Center that is dedicated to promoting religious education material that is centered in the African-American Community. Apostolic Work: The Josephite Society is dedicated to spiritual, educational and social ministry to the African-American community and has worked exclusively in the African-American community since 1871. The Josephite Society affords its members the mutual support of community life in an active ministry. Currently serving in the Archdioceses of Baltimore, Galveston-Houston (TX), Los Angeles (CA), Mobile (AL), New Orleans (LA), Washington (DC) and in the Dioceses of Arlington (VA), Baton Rouge, Lafayette (LA), Biloxi, Jackson (MS), and Beaumont (TX). Father Kenneth Keke, S.S.J., serves as Vocation Director. Josephite Vocation Department, 1200 Varnum Street, NE, Washington, DC 200172796; (202) 832-9100; e-mail: vocations@josephite. com; website: www.josephite.com.

See ad on page 129. Code #192.

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Marianists, Province of Meribah (S.M.) We are a religious community of brothers and priests, committed to living the Gospel together and serving Christ and His Church through the apostolate of education. Dedicating our lives to Mary, we follow her example of humble service and faithful discipleship. At the center of our lives are the two tables: the altar—the table of faith and sacrifice, and the community table—the table of fraternity and fellowship. Forming a new, Gospel-based family, we share in common prayer, friendship, possessions, work, successes, and difficulties. We aim to make family spirit the distinctive mark of our communities, growing in the characteristics of Mary, particularly her faith, humility, simplicity, and hospitality. Vocation Director, Brother Stephen

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Balletta, S.M., Marianist Provincialate, Province of Meribah, 240 Emory Road., Mineola, NY 11501; (516) 742-5555 ext. 534; e-mail: SBalletta@chaminade-hs.org; vocation blog: intothedeepblog.net; website: www.provinceofmeribah.com. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 22. Code #334.

Mariannhill Missionaries (C.M.M.) We are an international religious community of priests and brothers that does mission work in the spirit of Abbot Francis Pfanner, the founder of the monastery of Mariannhill in South Africa in 1882. We announce the Gospel to those peoples who do not yet believe in Christ and help establish local churches in mission countries. We have missions in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, and Colombia. As religious we continue the way of life of Jesus and His disciples by taking the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. In the USA we keep alive and deepen among the faithful a sense of responsibility for the whole Church, promote mission vocations, and support spiritually and materially our mission works. Contact: Vocation Director, 23715 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127-1449; (313) 561-7140 ext. 25; e-mail: vocation@mariannhill.us or visit our websites: www.cmmmariannhill.org or www.mariannhill.us.

See ad on page 79. Code #494.

Marist Brothers (F.M.S.) Founded in 1817 by St. Marcellin Champagnat, the Marist Brothers work to make Jesus Christ known and loved through the Christian education of young people, with special attention to the most neglected. St. Marcellin gave his community the name of Mary because he wanted them to live according to her spirit. Following the example of St. Marcellin, more than 3,400 Marist Brothers work with their 50,000 lay colleagues educating close to 500,000 young people, while putting into practice their motto: All to Jesus through Mary; All to Mary for Jesus. Present in 79 countries, the Marist Brothers work in all levels of education and a variety of education-related ministries. In the USA, there are over 150 Brothers ministering in 12 high schools, two summer camps, and one retreat center for young people. The Brothers serve as teachers, administrators, campus ministers, guidance counselors and spiritual direc-

tors. Br. Dan O’Riordan, F.M.S., Marist Brothers Vocation Director, 1241 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002; (201) 823-1115; e-mail: vocations@ maristbr.com; website: www.maristbr.com.

See ad on page 25. Code #298.

Marist Fathers and Brothers (S.M.) [Society of Mary] Marists believe that they are called by Mary to live in her Society, a religious community of prayer, fellowship and Gospel ministry to the Church and the world. Marists carry out the Gospel ministry in schools, parishes, and chaplaincies in the USA and in other countries throughout the world, including foreign missions. The Marists accept candidates for the priesthood and brotherhood who are between the ages of 21 and 40 and offer discernment counseling and Come and See days and weekends. For more information please contact the Marist Vocation Office at (866) 298-3715 (toll free) or e-mail us at maristvocations@sbcglobal.net or visit us on line at www. societyofmaryusa.org.

See ad on page 46. Code #107.

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers (M.M.) To speak of Maryknoll is to speak of Mission to the World. Maryknoll is the popular name for the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (Maryknoll Missioners, M.M.), established by the U.S. Bishops in 1911 to represent The Church of the United States in the work of world mission. While we are from the United States, our work is overseas. We number about 400 priests and brothers serving in some 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, evangelizing the poor and those thirsting for the Gospel. Contact: Fr. Kevin Hanlon, M.M., Vocation Director, P.O. Box 305, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0305; (914) 941-7590, Ext. 2416; e-mail: vocation@maryknoll.org; website: www.maryknollvocations.org. See our web ads at www.VocationNetwork.org and our digital web ads at www.DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 139. Code #199.

Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette (M.S.) We are a community of priests and brothers in North America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe serving in various ministries of reconciliation. We were founded in response to Mary’s apparition at La Salette in France on September 19, 1846. Our Blessed Mother appeared to two children who were herding cows, and gave them a message to “make known to all my people.” The Missionaries of La Salette came to the United States and Canada in 1892 and first were established in Hartford, CT. Today we work together to bring her message to a world that needs comfort and support. Our ministries are many, such as shrines, parishes, chaplaincies, home and foreign missions, teaching, counseling, music and youth ministries. If you are between the ages of 18 - 38 and would like to learn more about us and our ministry of reconciliation please contact: La Salette Vocation Office, 508-236-9067; e-mail: lasalettevocations@ gmail.com. Visit our website at: www.lasalette. org; Our mailing address is National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Vocation Office, 947 Park Street, Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703.

Code #225.

Missionaries of the Holy Family (M.S.F.) The Missionaries of the Holy Family were founded as a religious community in 1895 in Holland. Today, we minister throughout the world. We base our community life on the model of the Holy Family who lived simple lives in faithful response, love, and care to the mission of Jesus. Our founder

Enter #494 at VocationMatch.com taught us to seek out and encourage vocations.

We strive to live a missionary spirit by bringing the Gospel message wherever it is not sufficiently proclaimed. Here in North America, we are involved as priests and brothers in parishes, schools, hospitals, and missions. Our work reflects the care and concern we have for family life.

Vocation Director, 104 Cas Hills Dr., San Antonio, TX 78213; (888) 4 THY WILL; (888) 484-9945; e-mail: Vocations@MSF-America.org; website: www.MSF-America.org.

See ad on page 144. Code #129.

Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S) For more than 200 years, the apostolic society of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood has been reaching out to those on the margins of society. Founded in 1815 by St. Gaspar del Bufalo, Precious Blood priests and brothers carry out a variety of ministries as pastors, teachers, chaplains, youth ministers, retreat directors, mission preachers and campus ministers, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Our larger community also includes lay associates and volunteers, sharing in a common mission: to renew the Church through the ministry of the Word and the saving power of Christ’s most Precious Blood. Cincinnati Province (Eastern U.S., including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and California, as well as Chile, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia), (937) 228-9263; vocation@cpps-preciousblood. org; www.cpps-preciousblood.org. Kansas City Province (Western U.S., including Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, and California, as well as Vietnam), (816) 781-4344; vocations@kcprovince.org; www.kcprovince.org.

See ad on page 136. Code #108.

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Marianists, Society of Mary (S.M.) An international Roman Catholic religious congregation of priests and brothers. More than 300 members serve in the Province of the United States, which includes India, Ireland, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

In the U.S., the Marianists sponsor three universities—The University of Dayton in Ohio, St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and Chaminade University of Honolulu—and numerous high schools, parishes, and retreat centers. Blessed William Joseph Chaminade founded the Society of Mary in France in 1817, and the Society has been present in the U.S. since 1849. Marianist brothers and priests live and minister together as equals, modeling their lives after Mary, the Mother of Jesus. As part of a wider Marianist Family that includes Marianist sisters and committed lay people, they are dedicated to forming persons and communities of faith through education, parish work, social service, the arts, and other ministries.

Brother Tom Wendorf, S.M., Marianist National Vocation Office, 4425 W. Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108-2301; (314) 533-1207; twendorf@sm-usa. org; website: marianist.com/vocations. See our web ad at VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 29. Code #105.

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

BROTHERS What is your current ministry?

I teach religion to freshmen and sophomores at Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx, and I am one of the primary coordinators for our campus ministry efforts.

What’s your favorite part of ministry?

I greatly enjoy seeing our boys gradually mature into young men. I feel lucky to be able to help bring the gospel to life for young men who face all kinds of difficulties.

Your favorite way to pray?

My general preference is for quiet prayer. Seat me on a rock on top of a wooded mountain ridge with only God for company, and I am quite content.

I also enjoy occasional shared prayer and exposing my students to assorted prayer experiences.

What do you do for fun?

Cooking, eating, language study. I am also a bit of a dilettante with music.

Called home BROTHER BRIAN POULIN, F.M.S. Brian Poulin fell away from the church for 13 years. He had always been interested in the same things that religious orders care about: education, international cultures, helping the poor, and after he returned to the church with renewed faith, he began wondering about religious life. Soon he experienced another kind of homecoming when he was called to the Marist Brothers’ way of life. In a surprising twist of fate—or perhaps providence—he entered the same community that had once attracted his own grandfather to its novitiate for a short period.

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What is the best part of living in community?

Living with other men who are committed to both communal and individual prayer, enjoying each other’s company, and serving as mentors in mission.

Most fun you’ve had with your community?

One Friday at the end of a demanding week, we sat down to pray the psalms and prayers of the Office.

The language of some of it (“They surrounded me, the snares of death, with the anguish of the tomb”) was so maudlin yet so close to our experience that one of the men started to laugh.

Then we all did, and I laughed until I cried. But we still finished our prayers.

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (M.SS.CC.) We are a religious community of priests and brothers dedicating our lives to God through service to our brothers and sisters in the localities of Columbia, Italy, Argentina, the United States, India, Slovakia, Nigeria and Indonesia. As missionaries, our outreach is to those in need, whatever those needs may be. In the United States, we currently serve in parish ministry, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, retreat work, and spiritual direction. Our founder, Saint Gaetano Errico, calls us “to labor selflessly . . . to make known to all people the deep and tender love of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and to kindle this love in the hearts of all . . .” Vocation Director, P.O. Box 189, Linwood, NJ 08221; (609) 927-5600; e-mail: mssccusa@aol.com; website: www.missionofsacredhearts.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 60. Code #133.

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Norbertine Fathers and Brothers (O. Praem.)

[Canons Regular of Premontre]—Daylesford Abbey Daylesford Abbey is a small Norbertine Community of thirty members. We follow the Rule of St. Augustine in trying to be “One mind and one heart” on the way to God. Our Mission is to enrich the Church by our Norbertine communio (community) nourished by contemplation on God’s word, made visible in worship and service within the local church. Our Abbey is a Liturgical and Spiritual Center nestled in a wooded area in Paoli, PA. Our Community gathers with the laity four times a day to celebrate the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours. Our service include Sacramental Ministry in local parishes, Spiritual Direction, Chaplaincies, Outreach to the homeless and migrant workers.

We invite men ages 20-45 to contact us if you wish to discern a Norbertine vocation. For more information contact Fr. John Joseph Novielli, O. Praem., 220 South Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301; (610) 647-2530, ext. 127; e-mail: jnovielli@ daylesford.org; website: www.daylesford.org.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 17. Code #289.

Norbertine Fathers and Brothers (O. Praem.)

[Canons Regular of Prémontré]—St. Norbert Abbey The Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey (The Premonstratensian Fathers and Brothers) are dedicated to living a communal, activecontemplative lifestyle according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ while following the Rule of St. Augustine. We profess Solemn Vows, commit-

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Oblates of the Virgin Mary (O.M.V.) The Oblates of the Virgin Mary are a religious community of priests and brothers serving in 9 Countries. Living the charism of their Founder, the Venerable Fr. Bruno Lanteri, (1759 - 1830) they cultivate a deep personal relationship with Jesus through His Word and in the Eucharist.

The Oblates are consecrated to Mary and profess a strong adherence to the Magisterium and love for the Holy Father. Also with a great love for and distribution of the Mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, their apostolic goals include: the formation of the laity and the clergy, combating modern errors in faith and morals, upholding solid doctrine, giving the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and parish missions, individual spiritual direction and the formation of spiritual directors, the diffusion of Catholic teaching through books and other means of communication, and foreign missionary activity. Preferred age: under 40. Education: At least some college preferred. Vocation Director, Fr. Jeremy Paulin, OMV, 1105 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215; (617) 869-2429; e-mail: vocations@omvusa.org; website: www.omvusa.org.

Code #111.

Order of St. Camillus St. Camillus was a soldier of fortune, gambling addict and sinner.

He saw the light and now more than 400 years later, The Order of St. Camillus has been called to “Preach the Gospel” and “Heal the Sick.” We are a worldwide Order of more than 1,100 Roman Catholic men in 30+ countries who serve the sick in traditional and diverse new ways as brothers and priests. Joyfully accepting the challenge of witnessing to the merciful love of Christ, we continue to bring hope and compassion, following in the footsteps of our founder St. Camillus de Lellis who said, “the poor and the sick are the very heart of God.” Our brothers and priests serve as physicians, nurses, chaplains, technicians, social workers, therapists, administrators, and other allied health care professionals. Visit us: www.camillians.

org. Write us: vocation@camillians.org. Call us: 414-259-4595. Order of St. Camillus 10101 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226.

See ad on page 146. Code #093.

Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (O.deM.) [Mercedarian Friars] One of the ancient Orders of the Catholic Church, the Mercedarian Friars were founded in 1218. The Friars honor Mary, as the foundress and mother of the work of mercy begun by St. Peter Nolasco—the redemption of Christians in danger of losing their faith.

This work of mercy is conducted in parishes, where faith is attacked; in schools, where empty values threaten our youths; in institutions of health care or detention, where despair is present; and in foreign missions, where social conditions threaten one’s faith. Men, between the ages of 1840, who desire to live a life centered in Mary and her Son, to pray the rosary daily in common, live in community with one’s “brothers” based upon the Rule of St. Augustine, have a deep love for the Magisterium and in preserving the Faith by catechesis, are invited to contact the Director of Vocations, Fr. Joseph Eddy, 6398 Drexel Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19151; (215) 879-0594; e-mail: vocations@orderofmercy.org; website: www.orderofmercy.org.

Code #216.

Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary We are a Eucharistic and contemplative community consisting of priests, brothers, and sisters, who wear a full habit, as well as lay “external” members, all of whom are consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our daily schedule, besides Holy Mass, includes: 15 decade Rosary (20 on Thursday), Divine Mercy Chaplet, Liturgy of the Hours, and time for silent adoration, all before Our Lord Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. After being filled with the love and mercy of Our Savior, we go forth to be His reflection to others through various corporal works of mercy.

Contact: Vocation Director, 48765 Annapolis Rd., Hopedale, OH 43976; (740) 946-9000; e-mail: twohearts1@mac.com; website: www. heartsofjesusandmary.org.

Code #271.

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Pallottines (S.A.C.)—Immaculate Conception Province Founded by St. Vincent Pallotti in 1835, the Society of the Catholic Apostolate works with the Church to revive faith and rekindle charity, empowering lay and religious alike to answer the call to be apostles of Christ for the New Evangelization. We are more than 2,400 priests and brothers working in many apostolates: parish ministry, education, prison ministry, retreats, youth ministry, lay formation, and hospital and military chaplaincies. Pope John Paul II spoke of the Pallottines as “a bridge between the clergy and laity in order to give life again to that apostolate which unites the faithful to the work of evangelization and sanctification.”

Consider this a personal invitation to take a serious look at becoming a Pallottine. If you feel a call within yourself to find out more, we invite you to contact our vocation office: Immaculate Conception Province (Eastern United States): 1-800-APOSTLE; website: www.sacapostles.org; e-mail: Vocation@sacapostles.org; or mail: Vocation Director, Pallottine Vocation Office, P.O. Box 5399, West Hyattsville, MD 20782.

See ad on page 133. Code #239.

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Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (S.T.) We are a Religious Community of Priests and Brothers founded in the United States by Fr. Thomas Agustin Judge, CM in 1929. Since our founding we have given witness to the presence of Our Lord throughout the United States and, in response to the needs of the Church, have also established our missionary presence in Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia. We value community life and we dedicate ourselves to close collaboration in mission with lay women and men. The dream of our founder is our goal; to “awaken the giant” by insisting that “every Catholic is called to be an Apostle”. We want to listen to your story of faith and discern how God is calling you to be His Apostle. Please contact: Fr. Allen Rodriguez; 951-446-8057; e-mail: Vocations@TrinityMissions.org; website: www.TrinityMissions.org; 9001 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903. We speak Spanish, Hablamos español.

See ad on page 23. Code #284.

ting ourselves to the apostolic life and a promise of on-going conversion of our ways. Our membership consists of 60 men living primarily at St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, WI, but also living at our House of Formation in Chicago and at our dependent priory in Raymond, MS, near Jackson. As Canons Regular, our first ministry is living the common life devoted to the sung choral office (Morning and Evening Prayer), daily Eucharist, Noon Prayer, and common table. From our community life flow various ministries including pastoral and sacramental ministry, education and administration at St. Norbert College and Notre Dame de la Baie Academy, parochial ministry at parishes incorporated in or entrusted to our Community, hospitality and retreats, advocacy for and ministry to the poor and marginalized, and numerous unique ministries as needed in the local church throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Archdiocese for the USA Military, and the Green Bay and Jackson Dioceses. Qualified candidates ordinarily have or are in the process of completing a college degree, and are ready and willing to live unselfishly in a communal lifestyle. Contact the Vocation Coordinator, 1016 N. Broadway, De Pere, WI 54115; (920) 337-4333; fax: (920) 337-4328; e-mail: vocations@norbertines.org; websites: www.norbertines.org and www.stmosestheblackpriory.org.

See ad on page 34. Code #110.

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

Pallottines (S.A.C.)—Mother of God Province The charism of the Pallottines, present in over 40 countries, is to awaken in each person the awareness that God has called us to be apostles. St. Vincent Pallotti, inspired by the universal call to holiness and service, established the Union of Catholic Apostolate (UAC) with priests, brothers, sisters, and laity in 1835 in Rome, Italy. As a community of priests and brothers (SAC)—part of the UAC, we seek to revive the faith, rekindle charity and unite all in Jesus Christ through our service of parish ministry, education, retreat, and care of the sick in partnership with all the faithful. For more information please visit our website: www.pallottines.org and contact Fr. Leon Martin, SAC; 5424 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53208; (414) 259-0688 ext. 155; e-mail: vocationspall@gmail.com. See our digital web ad at www.DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 124. Code #437.

Passionists (C.P.) Passionist priests and brothers take a unique vow to promote the memory of Christ’s passion and God’s redeeming love for us through their life of contemplation, community and ministry to the crucified of today. Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, Passionists reach out with compassion to those who suffer or are marginalized—the disabled, the sick, the dying, the impoverished, those who grieve or are alone—and offer opportunities for all to experience spiritual growth and healing. Prayer and a rich community life support the special Passionist charism. Ministries include preaching, retreat center programs, parish, radio and TV ministry, and chaplaincies. Both Provinces have members serving in other countries. Interested in male candidates, 18-50 years old. Western Province: Fr. Christopher Gibson, C.P.; (773) 266-1942; e-mail: vocationdirector@passionist.org; website: www.passionist.org.

Eastern Province: Fr. Christopher Cleary, C.P.; (860) 521-0440; e-mail: ccleary@cpprov.org; and Fr. Lee Havey, C.P.; (561) 626-1300; e-mail: lhavey@cpprov.org; website: www.thepassionists. org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #113.

The Paulist Fathers (C.S.P.) The Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle (The Paulists) founded by Servant of God Isaac Hecker, is the first North American community of priests. Paulists minister through their mission of Reaching Out (Evangelization), Bringing Peace (Reconciliation), and Seeking Unity (Ecumenism and Interreligious Relations).

Paulists are in 18 cities in the United States and Canada. We serve as campus ministers and parish priests. We lead parish missions, and publish through Paulist Press. We proclaim the Good News through Paulist Evangelization Ministries and work in media-related endeavors through Paulist Productions. We find young adult seekers through BustedHalo.com. Training includes a year novitiate and graduate theological studies in Washington, DC. Contact: Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P., Director of Vocations, 415 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019-1104; (800) 235-3456 or (212) 757-4260; e-mail: vocations@paulist.org; website: www.paulist.org/vocation. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 123. Code #114.

Piarists (Sch.P.) YOUTH IS OUR CONCERN! Founded by St. Joseph Calasanz in 1617, Piarists profess a special fourth religious vow to educate youth, especially the poor. Our schools are concerned with both the spiritual and academic achievement of our students. Our motto, Pietas et Litterae, expresses both our work and charism.

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SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG We are an International Order, working in 36 countries, and in the United States are represented in Kentucky, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Puerto Rico, and Los Angeles. We have schools, parishes, Spanish ministries, and foreign missions. Rev. David Powers, Sch.P., Vocation Director, 1315 Olmsted Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10462; (610) 564-8893; e-mail: dariff@ hotmail.com; website: www.piarist.info.

Code #195.

PIME Missionaries [The Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions] PIME is an International Society of Apostolic Life. We are priests and brothers who dedicate our lives to the mission among non-Christians in foreign countries. We strive to be creative in our missionary presence, proclaiming the Gospel and promoting dialogue among religions and cultures.

Working among the poorest people in the world, we are engaged in human development, promotion of peace and justice, and pastoral care of newly founded Catholic communities. The initial formation for candidates takes place in the North American region at our House in Detroit. Our formation and training program is flexible. We are able to adapt our program to meet the needs of each individual as much as possible, according to one’s academic background and life experiences. Check us out at www.pimeusa.org. PIME Missionaries, 17330 Quincy St., Detroit, MI 48221; (313) 3424066; fax: (313) 342-6816; e-mail: outreach@ pimeusa.org; www.pimeusa.org.​ See ad on page 143. Code #134.

Priests of the Sacred Heart (S.C.J.) We are an apostolic congregation of Priests, Brothers, and Deacons inspired by the mystery of God’s love expressed in the heart of Christ. Fr. Leo John Dehon, our founder, was convinced that the best way to respond to our experience of God’s love is by reaching out to those around us and helping them to experience that same love in their own lives. This often means addressing unjust situations and circumstances that prevent people from reaching their full potential. Much of our work in the U.S. is with the poor and working class. Foreign missions are available. We prefer candidates 18-40 (will consider to age 45) with religious and/or social involvement, a solid academic background, and appropriate work history. Vocation Director, P.O. Box 206, Hales Corners, WI 53130-0206; toll free (800) 609-5559; fax: (414) 529-3377; e-mail: vocationcentral@wi.twcbc. com; website: www.scjvocation.org.

See ad on page 124. Code #116.

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The Redemptorists (C.Ss.R.) [Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer] The Redemptorists are a community of apostolic men—followers of Jesus Christ the Redeemer and disciples of St. Alphonsus Liguori. As a religious congregation of priests and brothers, our mission is to proclaim the Good News of plentiful redemption to the poor and most abandoned. Our work in parishes, retreat houses, parish missions, and foreign countries, as well as special apostolates, e.g. migrants, prisoners, and young adults, serves as pathways for Christ’s love. Like the apostles we live and work together; we combine our prayers and deliberations, our labors and sufferings, our successes and failures, and our talents and material goods in service to the Gospel. For more information, visit our website: www.redemptoristvocations.com or contact the Vocation office: Fr. Richard S. Bennett, C. Ss.R.; e-mail: vocations@ redemptorists.net; telephone: (617) 817-9425. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 135. Code #135.

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The Salesians of Don Bosco (S.D.B.) For over 150 years under the teachings of St. John Bosco, Salesian Brothers and Priests have been inspiring young people to live lives of faith. We are looking for men who want to dedicate their life to Christ, the church, and the young. As a Salesian priest or brother you will be working with young people journeying with them toward a deeper relationship with Christ. Salesians serve in various capacities of evangelization and education: youth and campus ministers, teachers, guidance counselors, mentors, and friends to the young....

We live in community, pray and work together in a common mission. Currently, over 15,000 of us are serving young people in 131 countries. In the United States and Canada, the Salesians operate youth oriented parishes, high schools, boys and girls clubs, and retreat houses. Contact information: Canada and East of the Mississippi: Fr. James Berning, S.D.B., Salesian Vocation Office, 518-B Valley Street, Orange, NJ 07050; (973) 761-0201; e-mail: info@salesiansofdonbosco.org; Facebook: facebook.com/salesianvocationseast; website: www.salesiansofdonbosco.org; West of the Mississippi: Fr. Jose F. Lucero, S.D.B., Vocation Office, 13856 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower, CA 90706; (626) 674-2675; e-mail: info@salesianvocation.org; website: www.salesianvocation.org.

Code #117.

Salvatorians (S.D.S.) [Society of the Divine Savior] The Salvatorians were founded to use “all ways and means which the Love of Christ inspires” to bring the Gospel to the world. We are multicultural and fully embrace the Spirit of Vatican II with compassion for all. Our members collaborate closely with the Salvatorian Sisters, the Lay Salvatorians and the people we serve. We are involved in parishes, foreign missions, education, hospital and prison chaplaincies, youth ministry, counseling, campus ministry, communications, music and specialized ministries. Members serve in the Archdioceses of Milwaukee, Madison, New York City, Portland, St. Petersburg, Arlington and Washington D.C. and in the Dioceses of Bismarck, Birmingham, Green Bay, Santa Rosa, Brooklyn, Nashville, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, St. Cloud, Sacramento, Savannah, Venice, Wilmington and Tucson. American Salvatorians serve in the Philippines; Rome, Italy; and Tanzania, East Africa. Contact us at vocations@salvatorians. com; (414) 258-1735 ext. 304; 1735 N. Hi Mount Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53208-1720; website: www. salvatorians.com. Check out FACEBOOK page at www.facebook.com/salvatorians; follow us on TWITTER at www.twitter.com/Salvatorians and subscribe to our YouTube Channel at www.YouTube.com/user/ SalvatoriansSDS. See ad on page 67. Code #145.

Servants of Mary, Friars (O.S.M.) Founded in 1233, we bring the compassionate presence of Christ to the world through lives lived in community, serving the needs of others in a variety of ministries, while looking to Mary as the example of life and service. The Servite Friars, together with Servite religious sisters, cloistered nuns, Servite Seculars and other lay groups, form an international community of over 15,000 members. For more information on the Servite Friars please contact the Vocation Ministry Office 1952 W. La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801; 855-OSM-1233 (855-6761233); e-mail: Vocations@servitesusa.org; website: www.servite.org.

See ad on page 48. Code #159.

Servants of the Paraclete (s.P.) We are a religious congregation of priests and brothers who dedicate our lives to Christ by assisting fellow priests and

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

MEN’S COMMUNITIES

brothers who are in need of psychological, spiritual, and vocational support. Founded in 1947 by Fr. Gerald Fitzgerald, s.P. our Congregation has helped more than 5,500 clergy through residential programs based on Eucharistic Adoration, psychological and spiritual counseling, fraternal life in common, and fidelity to the Church. Currently this ministry is being carried out in the USA and the Philippines. We also have a student house in Ho Chi Minh City and hope to open a house of prayer near Da Lat, VN soon.

God willing we will also open a house in West Africa within the next few years. If you are interested in finding out more about the Servants of the Paraclete, please contact: Very Rev. David T. Fitzgerald, s.P., PO Box 450, Dittmer, MO 63023; e-mail: servantgeneral@aol.com; website: www.theservants.org. You will receive a warm welcome.

Code #300.

Society of Mary (S.M.) (See Marist Fathers and Brothers.)

Society of St. Paul The Society of St. Paul is a congregation of priests and brothers founded by Blessed James Alberione bringing Christ to the world today through the means of communication.

The priests and brothers share a common life style and profess the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and fidelity to the Pope. They are fortified by daily meditation, mass, liturgy of the hours and an hour of Eucharistic Adoration so that by living Christ they may give Christ to others through their apostolate. Paulines imitate St. Paul, who preached and wrote about Jesus Christ, to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in the most rapid and far reaching ways. Paulines preach Christ through books, magazines, tapes, videos, CD’s, radio, television and the Internet around the world. Contact: Society of St. Paul, Vocation Office, 2187 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10314; (718) 865-8844; e-mail: vocation@stpauls.us; website: www.vocationoffice.org.

Code #149.

Somascan Fathers and Brothers (C.R.S.) The Somascan Fathers and Brothers minister at the following facilities: Pine Haven Boys Center, a residential treatment center for disadvantaged boys ages 7-15 in Allenstown, NH; Assumption Catholic Church and Christ the King Catholic Church in Houston, TX. Both parishes have a strong presence of immigrants from Latin America. Also in Houston, Somascan Hall, the House of Formation next to the Christ the King Church. All vocation inquiries should be addressed

Enter #230 at VocationMatch.com to Fr. Remo Zanatta, CRS, Vocation Director: (713) 880-8243; e-mail: remozanatta@gmail.com. For more information please visit: www.somascans.org.

See ad on page 144. Code #120.

Spiritans (C.S.Sp.) [Congregation of the Holy Spirit] For over three centuries Spiritans have crisscrossed the globe—living particularly among people who are suffering, being a pastoral presence and advocate for justice, and teaching the message of the Gospel. In parishes, schools, and missions we go where there is a need, bearing God’s Spirit of joy and hope. Today Spiritan Priests and Brothers are over 3,000 strong, an international congregation on an adventure of the Spirit. We are committed to the poor, dedicated to justice, and open to all cultures, and grounded in community and prayer. Vocation Office, Vocation Director, 6230 Brush Run Rd., Bethel Park, PA 15102-2214; (412) 831-0302; e-mail: joinus@ spiritans.org; website: www.spiritans.org. See our web ads at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 149. Code #164.

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Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Berryville, VA—Our Lady of the Holy Cross Our community is oriented by St. Benedict’s Rule for Monasteries, living a life of prayer, supported by the work of our hands, serving the community and our natural environment. We seek to know the Lord through hospitality, sacred reading and study, the celebration of the liturgy, and our communal life; we seek to spread the Gospel through our contemplative life in the Diocese of Arlington. We cultivate priestly ministry within our Cistercian tradition, in service to our monks and nuns; this formation begins after solemn profession.

Catholic men over the age of 24 to age 50 are invited to join us. A high school education is necessary and further education is welcomed but not required.

Candidates may apply through our website: www. virginiatrappists.org on the vocation page under the tab “Join Us.” An inquiry form is available there that will be directly e-mailed to the Vocations Director. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Carlton, OR—Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey We, the monastic community of Our Lady of Guadalupe, are located in Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. Presently, our community is comprised of 28 monks whose life experience expands over three generations. We are contemplative monks who, following the Rule of St. Benedict, live by the work of our own hands. Because of our contemplative nature, all four of our industries, bookbindery, bakery, wine warehouse, and forestry, lie within the enclosure. It

is important to us that we should be self-supporting, but our work does not dominate our life, rather it is our prayer that takes precedence. Our prayer consists of chanting the Divine Office, daily Eucharist, private prayer, and lectio divina. For men interested in vocational discernment, we do offer the Monastic Life Retreat, a retreat set up to better experience our monastic way of life. Br. Chris Balent, 9200 NE Abbey Rd., Carlton, OR 97111; e-mail: Chris@TrappistAbbey.org; website: www.trappistabbey.org/. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Conyers, GA—Holy Spirit Monastery In the Georgia Piedmont 35 of us share life in a contemplative community. Ages range from 28 to 93. We have joined our neighbors in going green by fostering stream restoration, an organic vegetable garden, and a natural burial cemetery. We value silence, solitude, manual labor, compassion, the Eucharist, personal and communal prayer, friendship and forgiveness. We honor the good in our society and yet challenge its illusions, especially the assumption that our identity and value depend on what we do, and on what others think of us. We work with hardships and challenges, knowing that these contribute to spiritual and emotional maturation, leading us beyond resistance to giving ourselves away, at ever deeper levels. Contact: Br. Elias, 2625 Hwy 212 SW, Conyers, GA 30096; (678) 964-2018; e-mail: elias091499@gmail.com; www.trappist.net/vocation. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Moncks Corner, SC—Mepkin Abbey We, the monks of Mepkin Abbey, are responding to God’s call to live an ancient form of radical Christian discipleship focused on seeking and finding God in community where we “are of one heart and one soul and everything is held in common” (Acts 4:32-33). We live the Rule of Saint Benedict in the Cistercian tradition, praising God in our prayer, meditative reading of Scripture, work and hospitality--desiring to live in ceaseless prayer. All Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists) bear witness to this contemplative monastic tradition by living our vows of stability, obedience, and “conversatio morum” (conversion of life) in the rhythm of work and manual labor--striving for deeper union with God. If you believe God may be calling you to join us, kindly contact our vocation director, Fr. Kevin, O.C.S.O., 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd., Moncks Corner, SC 29461; (843) 761-8509; e-mail: fr.kevinocso@ gmail.com: website: www.mepkinabbey.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

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Societe des Missions Africaines (S.M.A.) or translated Society of African Missions is an international community of 1,200 missionaries: Priests, Brothers, Associate Priests and Lay Missionaries. We are committed to living the Gospel among our brothers and sisters in Africa and those of African descent, with a special concern for the poor and marginalized wherever we are serving. We strive to witness by our lives to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its totality through a variety of ministries—including parish work, catechetical programs, health care, education, ministries with street children, people with disabilities, refugees, Leprosy patients, AIDS Ministries, development and relief programs. Our ministries are a response to the needs of the local Church. You are invited to make a wholehearted, unconditional offer of your life at the service of the Gospel of Jesus. Please contact: S.M.A. Vocation Coordinator, 23 Bliss Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670; Phone: (201) 567-0450 ext.

250 or Cellphone: (201) 496-8394; e-mail: vocations. sma@gmail.com. Please visit our websites: www. smafathers.org; http://sma.cua.edu.

See ad on page 155. Code #136.

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Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Peosta, IA—Abbey of New Melleray Founded in 1849 by Mount Melleray Abbey in Ireland, our community is located in the heartland of Northeastern Iowa, twelve miles from Dubuque and the Mississippi River. We are a contemplative monastery in the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. As members of the Cistercian family of monks and nuns founded in 1098 at Citeaux in France, we are wholly ordered to a life of prayer according to the Rule of St. Benedict. We support our way of life by carpentry—Trappist Caskets—supplemented by income from our 1,900 acre farm, our 1,300 acre forest, and a Guest House for 22 retreatants and visitors. The entire Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist are celebrated in choir every day.

For additional information contact Br. Paul Andrew Tanner, Vocations Director, 6632 Melleray Circle, Peosta, IA 52068; e-mail: brpaulandrew@ newmelleray.org or call (563) 588-2319 ext. 100; website: www.newmelleray.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Piffard, NY—Abbey of Genesee We are a Roman Catholic community of contemplative monks belonging to the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, commonly known as Trappists. Our community is dedicated to the worship of God in a hidden life within the monastery following the Rule of St. Benedict, leading a life of solitude and silence, prayer and penance, in a joyful spirit of faith.

We support ourselves by the common work baking Monks’ Bread. Guests are received for quiet, private retreats at the retreat house. The monastic day begins with vigils at 2:25 a.m. and ends with compline at 6:40 p.m. Throughout the day there is a good balance between prayer, reading, and work, all lived in fraternal love and support. Contact: Br. M. Anthony Weber, Vocation Director, Abbey of the Genesee, Piffard, NY 14533; (585) 243-0660 ext. 19; e-mail: AnthonyWeber@GeneseeAbbey. org; website: www.GeneseeAbbey.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Snowmass, CO—St. Benedict’s Monastery St. Benedict’s Monastery, located in a spectacular valley high in the Colorado Rockies near the small town of Snowmass, belongs to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO/Trappist). Prayer is our apostolate, and a contemplative approach to both communal and personal prayer and to our daily tasks characterizes our life. Our daily life is grounded in a schedule of liturgy when, five times a day, we come together for prayer, including daily Mass. We support ourselves by work which includes our ranch and a small cookie business. In accord with our Order’s constitution, we live a life that is ordinary, obscure, and laborious. In other words, a hidden life of prayer in and through the Church for all humankind. We accept applications from men between 22 and 50. For more information visit our website at www.snowmass.org. Contact Br. John, our vocation director at jpflynn1964@gmail.com or (970) 279-4400, ext. 21. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Spencer, MA—St. Joseph’s Abbey We are a monastic Order wholly directed to contemplation. We dedicate our lives within the enclosure of the monastery to the praise and worship of God in a hidden way of life.

Our day is a balance of liturgical prayer; private, personal prayer; lectio divina (prayerful reading of 84 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

SEARCH MEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Scripture) and work. By fidelity to our contemplative monastic way of life with its own hidden mode of apostolic fruitfulness, in silence and solitude, in prayer and penitence, we seek to perform a service for God’s people and the whole human race. The Lord Jesus is our Strength and the Heart of our desire. We are located in central Massachusetts at 167 North Spencer Road, Spencer, MA 01562. Please visit us at www.spencerabbey.org. Vocational inquiries made at: vocation@spencerabbey.org. Typically our candidates are men between the ages of 25 and 45. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Trappist, KY—Abbey of Gethsemani Our monastery is a school of the Lord’s service where Christ is formed in the hearts of the brothers through the liturgy, the abbot’s teaching and the fraternal way of life. The monk expresses this love by his desire to share life together at the heart of the Church and to grow into Christ through prayer, work, and sacred reading every day. Located in the beautiful knob country of central Kentucky, we Trappists have lived, prayed, and worked in this house of the Lord for over 165 years. Our mission is the praise of God’s goodness and the proclamation of the Kingdom’s nearness. Living in solitude and silence the monk aspires to that interior quiet in which wisdom is born. The vows of obedience, stability, and fidelity to the monastic way of life provide our structure, support, and encouragement to persevere in the journey, in the work, in the search. Men between the ages of 22 and 50 may apply.

For more information contact Bro. Aaron Schulte, Abbey of Gethsemani, 3642 Monks Rd., Trappist KY 40051; (502) 549-4116; e-mail: vocations@monks. org; website: www.monks.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappist Cistercian Monks (O.C.S.O.) Vina, CA— Abbey of New Clairvaux Our Lord Jesus came to bring us the Fullness of Life. In response, our life as Cistercian (Trappists) monks is the simple, direct and effective way to embrace that Divine Life. Following the Rule of Saint Benedict and the nine-hundred year old Cistercian Monastic tradition, it is a life wholly directed to contemplation through Liturgy, Manual Labor and Lectio Divina. The rhythm of our life helps us to be aware of God throughout the day. By means of obedience, simplicity, solitude and silence, we grow in purity of heart in the School of Charity.

Through manual labor we share in God’s creativity, exercising love for each brother, are in solidarity with all people, and cultivate good stewardship of the land. Men between 22 and 40 may apply. Contact: Br. Christopher, Vocation Director; Abbey of New Clairvaux, 26240 7th Street, Vina, CA 96092; (530) 839-2161; e-mail: godseeking@newclairvaux.org; website: www.newclairvaux.org.See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trinitarians (O.SS.T.) Founded in 1198 through the vision of St. John DeMatha, the Trinitarian priests and brothers bring the redemptive love of Jesus to those they serve. The earliest Trinitarians, through every possible means available, sought freedom for those held captive for their faith.

Through their work for the poor, those who suffer religious persecution, and in parishes, schools, missions, prisons, and hospitals, they strive for the freedom of all people. Trinitarians live in small, intimate communities and enjoy common prayer.

Their purpose in loving is freedom and dignity.

They number 75 members in the United States and more than 700 worldwide. Candidates, ages 18-40,

with a minimum of a high school diploma, are considered. Vocation Office, P.O. Box 5719, Baltimore, MD 21282-0719; (800) 486-0614 or (410) 486-5171; e-mail: vocations@trinitarians.org; website: www.trinitarians.org.

See ad on page 153. Code #122.

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Viatorians (Clerics of St. Viator) Viatorians are religious priests, brothers, and lay associates sent by the Catholic Church to teach the faith and proclaim Jesus Christ as Gospel. In parishes, schools, and a variety of ministries, Viatorians work with Christian communities to live, deepen, and celebrate faith. A priest of the Archdiocese of Lyons, France, Father Louis Querbes founded the Viatorians in 1831 as an association of lay and religious school teachers to catechize and serve as animators of the liturgy in rural French parishes. As patron saint of the congregation, Father Querbes chose Saint Viator, a young fourth century catechist-lector of the cathedral church of Lyons. Today approximately 600 religious and nearly 300 lay men and women serve the church in 16 countries. Viatorians of the Province of Chicago minister primarily in Illinois and Nevada in the United States, in Colombia, South America and in Belize, Central America. Contact: Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, Vocation Ministry, 1212 East Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60004; e-mail: vocations@viatorians.com; website: www.viatorians.com.

See ad on page 65. Code #094.

Vincentian Priests and Brothers [Congregation of the Mission (C.M.)] Confronted by poverty and sickness in France in the 1600’s and the spiritual weariness caused by an uneducated clergy in that same period, St. Vincent de Paul committed his life to championing the needs of the poor. Almost 400 years after founding the Vincentians in 1625, his community of priests and brothers continue to spread God’s message of hope to the poor, and to train priests and laity in service to the poor. We work in 53 international provinces on five continents alongside other members of the Vincentian Family.

We welcome you to join us to do something meaningful with your life. Experience the Vincentian challenge! Contact us: vocations@vincentian.org; 1-800-DePaul-1; website: www.vincentian.org.

See ad on page 49. Code #178.

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Xaverian Missionaries (S.X.) Serving in 20 countries around the world, the Xaverian Missionaries are an international, multicultural community of over 1,000 priests, brothers, and sisters. In the spirit of our founder Saint Guido M. Conforti we commit ourselves to live and witness to the Good News of Jesus—the greatest gift we can share with the world— in poverty, chastity, and obedience. We fulfill this mission in and through community. Moved by our passion for Christ and for humanity our mission is directed to those who do not know Christ and among them we choose to work with the poor. It is our desire that our lives and our ministries may always reflect the love of Christ. Through empowerment of local communities, education, inter-religious dialogue, health care, social development, justice and peace, we facilitate the transformation of our world into the “ONE FAMILY” our Founder dreamed.

Contact: Fr. Rocco Puopolo, sx, 101 Summer Street, Holliston, MA 01746; (508) 429-2144; e-mail: frrocco@xaviermissionaries.org; website: www. xaviermissionaries.org; blog: www.xaverianmissionaries.blogspot.com/. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 36. Code #137.

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

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Adorers of the Blood of Christ (A.S.C.) The Adorers of the Blood of Christ are courageous, confident, and committed women. As adorer-apostles we are called to engage in the ongoing process of transforming the world into “that beautiful order of things which the great Son of God came to establish in His blood.” (St. Maria De Mattias, Foundress) We strive to be Christ’s reconciling presence in our world by responding to the needs of individuals and society. You will find us performing the healing ministries of education, environmental work, health care, pastoral work, social justice, and spiritual development throughout the United States as well as in Bolivia, Brazil, Guatemala and Korea. Our international congregation serves in 24 countries. Are you a courageous, confident, committed woman? You can make a difference as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ. For more information, log onto www. adorers.org or contact us at 1-877-236-7377 ext.

1411 (ADORERS) or see our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 25. Code #001.

Augustinian Nuns (O.S.A.) “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless, until they rest in you.” These words of Saint Augustine speak to the heart of human experience as profoundly today as they did in the Third century. We are a contemplative monastic community of women who follow the tradition and Rule of Saint Augustine. Through our life in community and our ministry of prayer we give witness to the presence and love of God in our world. Our work is carried out within the monastery and through our prayer we embrace the world and Church universal. A hunger for God, a passion for life, a compassionate love for our sisters and brothers, and the capacity for joy and an appreciation of beauty are all traits of an Augustinian spirituality. If you are a single women drawn to give yourself to God in a life of prayer we invite you to contact us: Sr. Mary Grace, O.S.A., Mother of Good Counsel Monastery, 440 N. Marley Road, New Lenox, IL 60451; (815)

463-9662; e-mail: sr.marygrace@sbcglobal.net; website: www.augustiniannuns.com. See our digital web ad at www.DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 119. Code #161.

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Benedictine Nuns (O.S.B.), St. Scholastica Priory, Petersham, MA—Located in the heart of the New England forest, St. Scholastica Priory is a community of contemplative Benedictine nuns. Following the Rule of St. Benedict, we seek to live in God’s presence through lives wholly dedicated to prayer. The monastery, the “school of the Lord’s service,” is organized to facilitate this search. The Eucharist and the seven Hours of the Divine Office prayed with Gregorian chant, lectio divina, work and the common life of mutual charity are the pillars of our 1,500-year-old monastic heritage. Liturgy is celebrated with our twin community of monks, St. Mary’s Monastery, and our guesthouse enables us to share our life with retreatants who seek God in their own lives. Monastic Experience weekends are offered.

Women aged 19-40 are invited to contact Sr. Mary Frances Wynn, O.S.B., Vocation Director, St. Scholastica Priory, 271 N. Main St., P.O. Box 606, Petersham, MA, 01366; smfwynn@aol.com; (978) 724-3213; www.stscholasticapriory.org.

See ad on page 65. Code #482.

Benedictine Sisters/A.B.F.C. (American Benedictine Formation Conference) Each monastic community, though observing the Rule of Benedict, is independent and self-governing.

Community is the central ministry of Benedictine monasteries. We share our lives, our prayer, and our work as a way of blessing the world. This common life is meant to be a sign that “strangers can live together in love (AIM).” Our monastic profession of obedience, stability, and fidelity to the monastic way of life, binds us to God, to the Church, and to one another. A balanced, contemplative life, Benedictine spirituality yields meaningful ministry that addresses the needs of the modern world, e.g. education, health care, pastoral ministry, social work, spiritual direction, missionary activity. Each monastery is unique in size, geographic location, and in the distribution of God’s gifts. Common to us all, is the pursuit of peace and the search for God. Website: www. abfconline.org/sisters. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Atchison, KS— Mount St. Scholastica We are a community of approximately 130 women who seek God through communal living and common prayer.

Called by our monastic profession to a balanced life, our ministry flows out of our contemplative roots and focuses on enhancing the lives of others through prayer, education and service. Hungering for justice and peace, we strive to eliminate the root causes of injustice through our works of charity and through education. Our ministries in the Atchison/Kansas City area, include an on-campus spirituality center and a women’s center serving the urban core of Kansas City, as well as health care, social service, teaching and parish work. We invite women, ages 21-50, who seek more information and/or to visit us, to contact: Sister Barbara Smith, OSB, 801 S. 8th St. Atchison, KS 66001-2778, 913-426-5275 (text/ cell); 913-360-6219 (work); e-mail: vocation@

mountosb.org; website:www.mountosb.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Beech Grove, IN—Our Lady of Grace Monastery As Benedictine sisters we seek God in community centered on prayer, work and hospitality. Through our monastic promises of obedience, stability and fidelity to the monastic way of life we commit ourselves to the lifelong process of becoming who God calls us to be.

Our life of prayer in community flows out into service in the Church and the world. We minister to others in the areas of education, health care, pastoral ministry, retreat ministry and spiritual direction. Through this life of prayer and service we come to know our deepest joy. We invite single, Catholic women ages 20–45, who are discerning their vocation, to come and visit us to learn more about the Benedictine way of life. Contact: Sr. Julie Sewell, 1402 Southern Avenue, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107; (317) 787-3287 ext. 3032; e-mail: vocations@benedictine.com; website: www.benedictine. com. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Bismarck, ND— Annunciation Monastery We are a community of 49 monastic women who seek God and care for God’s people. Our monastery is nestled atop a bluff overlooking the scenic Missouri River. We value common prayer, the Eucharist, and time alone with God. We value community life and care for and support one another. Women of faith, we make a vital impact on the lives of others through our ministries and prayer. As individuals we do whatever work best suits our talents; most of us are involved in our sponsored ministries of St. Alexius Medical Center, the University of Mary, and our Benedictine hospitality center. We are vibrant, creative leaders in our area. We invite you to explore joining us in an incredible journey. Sr. Hannah Vanorny, O.S.B., 7520 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504-9653; (701) 425-9734; e-mail: hvanorny@gmail.com; website: www.annunciationmonastery.org; facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/AnnunciationMonastery/233858728103?fref=nf. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Bristow, VA—St. Benedict Monastery We are 35 sisters living in monastic community. The Benedictine life offers the richness of a 1500 year tradition. Communal prayers, personal prayer time, lectio divina, work and community are the threads woven through our monastic life. We have several corporate ministries that address a variety of needs in the local church and community: education, homelessness, retreats, spiritual direction and pastoral programs, immigration issues, counseling, adult literacy and hospitality. Our sisters engage in ministries which are expressive of their gifts. St. Benedict Monastery is located 35 miles west of Washington, D.C., near Manassas, Virginia. We invite women interested in exploring our life to visit us, attend a Monastic Discernment Weekend, or to apply for the Live-In Program. Contact: Sr. Andrea Westkamp, O.S.B., Saint Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136-1217; (703) 298-5337; e-mail: vocations@osbva.org; website: www.osbva.org.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

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Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (A.S.C.J.) The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were founded in Viareggio, Italy, in 1894 by Clelia Merloni. Clelia propelled the life of the Apostles into the heart of the Church by dedicating the Congregation to the loving Heart of Jesus. The motto of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: The Love of Christ Impels us, summarizes the moving force of their lives. Apostles spread devotion to the Sacred Heart by lives of compassion and holiness. As consecrated women of the Church, they imitate the life of Christ in the world today through education, health care, pastoral ministry, social services, human development, and missionary activity. An international Congregation, they serve in Italy, Albania, Switzerland, Chile, Benin, Mozambique, Taiwan, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, the Philippines, Haiti, and the United States. Sr. Virginia Herbers, 800 Montebello Camp Rd., Imperial, MO 63052; (203) 889-0408; e-mail: vocations@ascjus.org; Congregation website: www.ascjus.org. See our digital web ad at www.DigitalVocationGuide.org.

Code #267.

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Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Chicago, IL—St. Scholastica Monastery We are Benedictine women called to seek God in prayer and community, serving where there is need. As Benedictines, our primary ministry is community; as women of the 21st century, we work to build that community in the church, in our city and throughout the world, ministering in such fields as education, social services, pastoral ministry, and spiritual development. Underlying all we do is a desire to live the Gospel command to love God and neighbor. Women 21-50 who wish to seek God in an active monastic community by living a balanced life of prayer and work are invited to contact us. Vocation Minister, 7430 N. Ridge Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60645-1913, (773) 338-7063; e-mail: vocation@osbchicago. org. Visit us at our website: www.osbchicago. org and our Facebook page wwwfacebook.com/ BenedictineSistersofChicago. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org. and our digital web ad at www.DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #156.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Colorado Springs, CO—Benet Hill We are a monastic community of 35 members committed to Gospel as lived out in the Rule of St. Benedict which emphasizes seeking God. We strive to seek God through community in hospitality, praise of God in liturgy, and daily communal prayer, and serve God’s people in ministry according to each Sisters giftedness to meet the needs of the church and society in a changing culture, especially the needs of women. Commitment to justice issues, global concerns, peace and nonviolence calls us to work in a variety of ministries.

Contact us for more information on criteria for entrance. Sr. Mary Colleen Schwarz, O.S.B.; 3190 Benet Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; (719) 633-0655; e-mail; smarycolleen@benethillmonastery.org; website: www.benethillmonastery.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Covington, KY— St. Walburg Monastery We are monastic sisters who seek God together in prayer, hospitality, and work. The Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, personal prayer and study are the foundation of our spirituality. We celebrate the presence of Jesus Christ and serve him in all God’s people, the young and the old, the sick and the poor, the stranger and the guest. In the Benedictine monastic tradition, our love for the Church challenges us to meet the needs of God’s people. We serve in the areas of education, health care, social service, diocesan and parish ministries, ecology, criminal and social justice. We sponsor Villa Madonna Academy, Montessori School and a Spirituality Center. We invite you to discern a call to monastic life by joining us for community life and worship. Contact: Sr. Cathy Bauer, O.S.B., 2500 Amsterdam Road, Covington, Kentucky 41017; (859) 331-6324; text message: 859-468-6040; e-mail: vocation@ stwalburg.org; website: www.stwalburg.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Crookston, MN—Mount St. Benedict Monastery We are monastic women committed to living the Gospel and the Rule of Saint Benedict. We strive for awareness of God through prayer, service, and reverence for all creation in a spirit of peace and 86 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

joy. Our core values are community, hospitality, prayer, and just peace. We discern our works according to the needs of the times and the gifts of the sisters. At present we serve in Minnesota and Texas as educators, spiritual directors, pastoral ministers, chaplains, musicians, and artists. Some sisters work directly with the poor.

We invite women, single or single-again, ages 20-50, who desire a monastic lifestyle to contact our Vocation Director, Sr. Anne DeMers, O.S.B., 620 Summit Avenue, Crookston, MN 56716-2713; (218) 281-3441; e-mail: anne.demers@bhshealth.org; website: www.msb.net.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ads on pages 19, 109. Code #221.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Duluth, MN—St. Scholastica Monastery We are Benedictine monastic women who seek God together in Community. Our lives are centered around the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours, grounded in liturgical and personal prayer, in Lectio Divina (holy reading), with time for silence and solitude, for ministry, study, and leisure. Our core monastic values of hospitality and stewardship, peace and justice, stability and attentive listening, together with the Gospel and the Rule of St. Benedict, guide our communal life and our ministries. We invite women to join us in permanent vowed membership or to experience monastic life by living with us for six months to a year or longer in our volunteer residential Benedictine Associate program.

We invite you to visit us at a time convenient for you. For more information, to arrange a visit, or for a copy of our film “Sing a New Song,” contact Sr. Mary Catherine Shambour, O.S.B., 1001 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811-2300; (218) 723-6646; e-mail: mcshambour@duluthosb.org; website: www.duluthbenedictines.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ads on pages 19, 153. Code #282.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Elizabeth, NJ—St. Walburga Monastery We are monastic women who seek God in community through Gospel values and the Rule of Benedict. We live out our monastic conversion supported by Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio Divina, and presence to one another. In active lives balanced with contemplation, we witness to Jesus Christ through community, hospitality, and varied ministries such as education, health care, and spirituality. We welcome responses from single women who desire to seek God within a community life that overflows into prayer and ministry. Sr. Mariette Therese, O.S.B., Saint Walburga Monastery, 851 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208; (908) 352-4278, x. 274; e-mail: srmariette@aol.com; website: www.catholicforum.com/bensisnj. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ads on pages 19, 30. Code #353.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Erie, PA—Mount Saint Benedict Women living the Rule of Benedict by balancing community life, contemplative and liturgical prayer, silence and ministry; women witnessing to the global issues of world peace, nonviolence, sustainability, and justice, especially for women and children. Come to see; come to the experience; come to know. Contact Sr. Marilyn Schauble, O.S.B., Vocation Director, 6101 East Lake Rd., Erie, PA 16511; (814) 899-0614 ext.

2424; e-mail: vocations@mtstbenedict.org; website: www.eriebenedictines.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Ferdinand, IN—Monastery Immaculate Conception The world is zigging. We zagged. We’re the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana. We seek and share God by living together in a community based on prayer and service. We cultivate and encourage each individual’s gifts as given by God and use these gifts to serve in a variety of ministries, including education, parish ministry, social services, health care, retreat and spiritual direction, and mission work. For women discerning religious life, we promise an authentic, accepting, and supportive environment to explore God’s call. For the women that join our community, we offer a journey of spiritual and selfdiscovery based on a 1500-year history and tradition of following the Benedictine Rule while using your gifts and talents in ways you never dreamed.

If you are a woman 18-40 discerning religious life, or know someone who is, we encourage you to visit izagged.org; e-mail: vocation@thedome.org; or call (812) 367-1411, ext. 2830. Our community website is thedome.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org. Come zag with us!

See ads on pages 19, 161. Code #069.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Fort Smith, AR—St. Scholastica Monastery We are monastic women living the Benedictine tradition of seeking God in community through prayer, work, hospitality, and leisure. Our community membership is 41. We are engaged in the work of God through education, pastoral care, social services, social awareness, counseling, retreat work, and spiritual direction.

We welcome and encourage women ages 18-40 who are seeking to live a balanced life of prayer and personal transformation, who hunger for meaning in life, and who have the desire to become part of our future by sharing the power of the Gospel, to free people for a fully human life, and create a community of love, prayer and peace. Vocation Director: Sr. Kimberly Prohaska, O.S.B., P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913; (479) 783-4147; e-mail: vocationdirector@stscho.org; website: www.stscho. org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ads on pages 19, 120. Code #341.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Lacey, WA—St. Placid Priory St. Placid Priory is a thriving community of 12 faith-filled fully professed sisters, one novice, one candidate, and one live-in Oblate, here on the southern shores of the Puget Sound in northwest Washington. We gather in and tend to the souls of the retreatants who attend various programs at our Spirituality Center and join us in chanting the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day and early evening. Currently we have one sister teaching at St. Martin’s University and one sister who is a tenured professor at Portland University, and a Candidate disability lawyer. Come and see how we live out the Rule in our balanced life of work and prayer, simplicity, hospitality, and service. Come and blend your gifts with ours. New Membership Director: Sr. Lucy Wynkoop; 500 College Street NE, Lacey, WA 98516; (360) 438-1771; e-mail: vocations@stplacid.org; website: www.stplacid. org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Lisle, IL—Sacred Heart Monastery Directed by the Gospel and the spirit of the Rule of Benedict, our mission is to balance our monastic lifestyle with community and ministry. Our primary ministry is Hospitality to those in our expanding health care facility. We are also involved in education, nursing, pastoral ministry, social concerns and domestic services.

We sponsor Daybreak of Lisle. One of our forms of spiritual growth is Lectio Divina, a form of prayer and meditation which we enjoy sharing with others. Are you interested? Contact us for further details. Vocation Director: Sister Christine Kouba, O.S.B., 1910 Maple Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532-2164; (630) 977-9225; e-mail: ckouba@shmlisle.org; website: www.shmlisle.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Rapid City, SD— St. Martin Monastery St. Martin Monastery is located in the beautiful Black Hills of western South Dakota. We are a community of 21 women who follow the Rule of St. Benedict as we live out our Baptismal call. Our prayer, Lectio Divina, and the Liturgy of the Hours, as well as our community life are sources of strength from which all our ministries flow. Our ministries vary according to the gifts and talents of the individual Sister and the needs of the area. As Benedictines we seek God in all things and share our Benedictine values of peace, silence, and prayer. We are a monastic community.

We are the only motherhouse in the diocese. If you are seeking God’s will and have a desire to grow in intimacy with our Lord, we invite you to come and spend some time with us. Contact: Sr. Florence McManamen, O.S.B., 1851 City Springs Rd., Rapid City, SD 57702-9613; (605) 343-8011; fax: (605) 399-2723; e-mail: srflomcman@aol.com; website: www.blackhillsbenedictine.com. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Rock Island, IL—St. Mary Monastery Both contemplative and active, we are called to prayer, community, and work using our gifts. We serve in spiritual direction, retreats, parish work, pastoral care, campus ministry, education, social work, community work, and outreach to the poor. We invite you to take time to stroll

through our wooded grounds and reflect on God’s call to you. Watch the ducks paddle around the lake and the deer graze on the hill. Come to prayers and meals. Talk and laugh with the sisters. “Listen with the ear of your heart.” Join us on your vocation journey. You may feel one step closer to home. Sr. Stefanie MacDonald, O.S.B., 2200 88th Avenue W, Rock Island, IL 61201; (309) 283-2300 or (800) 650-1257 e-mail: smacdonald@smmsisters.org; website and blog: www.smmsisters.org. See our web ads at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ads on pages 19, 63. Code #152.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), St. Joseph, MN— Saint Benedict’s Monastery We are a community of Benedictine Sisters seeking God in prayer and community life, serving the Church and the world through our ministries. Our prayer life is centered in daily communal and individual prayer: Liturgy of the Hours, lectio divina, personal prayer and sacramental celebrations. Our life in community commits us to one another and to living out the Gospel and Rule of St. Benedict. Our history is one of extraordinary women whose gifts and talents are encouraged and developed by the community as we engage with the world and the larger Church.

The Benedictine life offers freedom to be fulfilled professionally and personally in a context of community living and prayer. At present, our community has more than 230 Sisters. We invite women who are interested in exploring our way of life to participate in one of our Benedictine live-in experiences. Visit us at our website: www.sbm.osb. org. E-mail: osbvocations@csbsju.edu. Call (320) 363-7180 or write: Vocations Director, 104 Chapel Lane, St. Joseph, MN 56374-0220.

See ads on pages 19, 52. Code #175.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Tulsa, OK—St. Joseph Monastery We are Catholic Benedictine women committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which impels us to love as he loves us, through a common life of prayer, hospitality and ministry.

As Benedictines, living and praying together are the essentials of Benedictine life. Discernment (being attentive to God’s voice through scripture, relationships and the world around us) calls us forth into ministry. We are an urban monastic community located in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

We are an intergenerational and multicultural community. Is God calling you to our community?

For more information: sisters@stjosephmonastery. org; St. Joseph Monastery, Vocations, 2200 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK 74114; (918) 746-4203; www.stjosephmonastery.org; facebook.com/ saintjosephmonastery; twitter.com/stjosephmon; blogspot.com.stjosephmonastery. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Watertown, SD—Mother of God Monastery We are a community of 50 monastic women (3 women in initial formation) living in the peaceful prairie land of rural South Dakota. We are called to seek God joyfully in community. We respond to the needs of others through our ministries, our prayer, our advocacy and our hospitality. Currently our sisters are involved in teaching, health care, pastoral care, parish work, prison ministry, ministry to Native Americans, Latinos and other cultures, spiritual direction and retreats, ministry to the elderly and environmental stewardship. We invite women who desire to seek God to journey with us.

We offer several discernment retreats throughout the year. Visit our website watertownbenedictines. org, for a description and dates or contact Adrienne Kaufmann, O.S.B., 110 28th Avenue SE, #59, Watertown, SD 57201; (605) 886-4159, vocations@ dailypost.com. Like us on Facebook! See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ads on pages 19, 113. Code #157.

Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Yankton, SD—Sacred Heart Monastery Rooted in our rural heritage and growing in relationship with God and one another in monastic community, we, the Yankton Benedictines, live a life of prayer, work, and lectio, serving God and God’s people in our time and place. Called first to prayer and community life, we then reach out in service in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of the people and the gifts of the sisters. Our community of 100 Sisters is “One Heart, One Soul” unified by Christ’s Sacred Heart, whose love flows out to us. If you are discerning your vocation in life, we invite you to contact our vocation coordinator Sister Clarice Korger; 1005 W. 8th St., Yankton, SD 57078; (605) 668-6000; e-mail: clarice.korger@mtmc.edu. You can also visit us at our website: www.yanktonbenedictines.org; our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/shmvocation; or our Blog: www.yanktonbenedictines.blogspot. com. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ads on pages 19, 111. Code #143.

Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (O.S.B.) We are a contemplative monastic community whose life is guided by a Eucharistic charism and the wisdom of the Rule of Saint Benedict. We serve the Church through a ministry of prayer and support ourselves by work within the enclosure of the monastery. We strive to witness to God’s presence in the world through our prayer and community life and by offering a welcoming and peaceful space to those who visit. Our two monasteries are located in Clyde, MO and Tucson, AZ. If you’re a single woman between the ages of 20 and 47 and drawn to a life of prayer, we invite you to contact Sr. Ruth Starman, 31970 State Highway P, Clyde, MO 64432-8100; (660) 944-2221 ext. 127; e-mail: vocation@benedictinesisters.org; website: www. benedictinesisters.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 89. Code #008.

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters (O.S.F.) Founded in the United States in 1894, our mission is to live the Gospel in the spirit of Francis and Clare!

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters reach out in the Name of Jesus to God’s people across the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. Our missions include the Dominican Republic, Mozambique and Liberia (West Africa). We minister in education at all levels, catechetics, retreat work, health care, and parish ministry as well as with and on behalf of the poor—especially with women and children. The Gospel, Francis and Clare permeate our Formation Programs for Sisters, Lay Associates and Volunteers in Mission! Do you have a Franciscan heart? Are you willing to journey in faith and joy, sister and servant to all? If so, please contact S. Madonna Marie, O.S.F., Vocation Director, 450 St. Bernardine Street, Reading, PA 196071737; (610) 777-2967; e-mail: FollowFrancis@ bfranciscan.org; website: www.bfranciscan.org.

Visit us on Facebook!

See ad on page 138. Code #214.

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Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Mt. Angel, OR— Queen of Angels Monastery We are women responding to the call to live community according to the Gospel and the Rule of Saint Benedict. Together we seek God in a balanced life of prayer and work, simplicity, hospitality, and service. While our vow of stability leads us to special care of the people in our local area, we are deeply conscious of sharing the universal mission of the Church. Our community ministries include a retreat and renewal center and a homeless shelter. Our 40 members serve in a variety of individual ministries, including teaching, pastoral care, health care, spiritual direction, and parish work. We encourage women who are interested in our monastic way of life to visit and explore the possibilities of Benedictine life. Vocation Director: Sr. Marietta Schindler, O.S.B., 840 South Main Street, Mt. Angel, OR 97362; (503) 845-6141; e-mail: mariettaschindler763@gmail.com; website: www.benedictine-srs.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

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WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

Carmel of Cristo Rey Living in the presence of God is the center of our cloistered Marian life. We are called to an apostolate of prayer, sacrifice, and penance for all humanity, the intentions of Holy Church, and especially for priests. Guided by the charism of Saints Teresa of Jesus (Avila) and John of the Cross, we seek Divine intimacy and live a hidden life of solitude and silence blended with the joy of the Holy Spirit in community. We remain bilingual (English/Spanish) in grateful recognition of our Spanish Teresian heritage and this Community’s Foundresses who fled the Mexican Cristero War and founded our new home in San Francisco (1927). Daily life: Holy Mass (Ordinary/ Extraordinary), full Liturgy of the Hours, communal Rosary, Spiritual Reading. Benediction, and Eucharistic Adoration. Full traditional habit and Papal Enclosure. Required: conversational English or Spanish and commitment to become bilingual, sound mental and physical health. Age: 18-40, exceptions for Externs and Transfers considered on an individual basis.

Code #333.

Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm (O.Carm) Founded by Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory in New York in 1929, she sought to render loving care of the aged with deep respect for their dignity, loving them as children of God. The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm together with hundreds of dedicated staff and volunteers care for their beloved elderly in 18 homelike residences, in seven different states within the USA, with one home in Dublin, Ireland. The Carmelite Sisters wear a distinct religious habit, and have a regular prayer schedule including: Liturgy of the Hours, daily Eucharist, Rosary, an hour of daily meditation, and a week of retreat each year at the Motherhouse. Strengthened by community, being of one heart and mind, they continue their mission as loyal daughters of the Church rendering compassionate care to the mystical Body of Christ in the aged and infirm. Sr. Mary O’Donovan, O.Carm., St. Teresa’s Motherhouse, 600 Woods Road, Germantown, NY 12526; (518) 537-5000; fax: (518) 537-4579; e-mail: vocationdirector@ gtel.net; website: www.carmelitesisters.com.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 60. Code #153.

Carmelites (O.Carm.), New Orleans, LA—Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel As Carmelites we desire to be a community of contemplative women following “in the footsteps of Jesus” by living and serving in the midst of God’s people. A Pontifical Apostolic congregation, presently we are in Louisiana, Illinois, the Philippines and Timor-Leste. Our zeal is rooted in our contemplative prayer and a prophetic call in the tradition of the prophet Elijah and of Mary, our sister and mother. We cherish community life from which we go forth striving to bring about a more peaceful, just, and loving world in a variety of ministries based on the needs of God’s people and on the gifts, talents, and educational preparation of each sister. Above all we desire that each sister become the woman of God that she is created to be. Vocation Director: Sr. Alice Abate, O.Carm., 420 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124-2541; (504) 524-2398; e-mail: vocations@sistersofmountcarmel.org; website: www.sistersofmountcarmel.org.

See ad on page 157. Code #013.

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Cenacle Sisters (r.c.) Cenacle Sisters are active women with contemplative hearts, called to live and pray in union with each other for the sake of the mission. We do this principally through retreats, religious education, and other forms of pastoral activity whose aim is to awaken and deepen faith. This is done most often in places of retreat, in people’s homes, in centers for spiritual direction and religious development, and in parishes.

In addition to sisters, there are lay members, vowed and non-vowed, who share in the Cenacle mission and charism. Sr. Janice Bemowski, r.c., The Cenacle, 513 W. Fullerton Parkway, Chicago, Illinois 60614; 773-528-6300; e-mail: vocations@cenaclesisters.org; website: www. cenaclesisters.org.

See ad on page 111. Code #188.

Congregation of Divine Providence (C.D.P.), Melbourne, KY “Be Providence to others through the works of mercy!” We sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP) strive to live this call in our daily lives. Founded in 1762 by Blessed Jean Martin Moye, a French parish priest, to teach in the abandoned/forgotten places, we were first given a spirituality by our founder—to live poor, simple, charitable lives, always abandoned to the Providence of God. As an international congregation we now live this life of Providence on four continents and through a variety of ministries: education, pastoral ministry, health care, spiritual direction, and social services. We are apostolic women religious, who live our vowed life in community and are strengthened by community and personal prayer. To learn more about our life or God’s call in your life, please visit our website: www.cdpkentucky.org or call/text Sr. Theresa Falkenstein at 859-814-6860 or Sr. Lynn Stenken at 859-814-9800.

Code #257.

Congregation of Notre Dame (CND) Founded in 1659 in Ville-Marie (Montreal) by Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, the Congrégation de NotreDame (CND) has historically been involved in education. Present in eight countries, the CND responds to the needs of the time in areas of ministry that include education, social justice, the Church and ecology. Following Jesus in a preferential option for the poor and living their mission of liberating education in fidelity to the prophetic charism of Marguerite Bourgeoys, CND Sisters participate actively in the transformation of society for a more just world. “All I have ever desired most deeply and what I still most ardently wish is that the great precept of love of God above all things and of the neighbor as oneself be written in every heart.” Marguerite Bourgeoys.

For information go to www.cnd-m.org. Contact: Sr. Peggy Doyle, 30 Highfield Rd., Wilton, CT 06897-3802; e-mail: cndsusa@cnd-m.org or call (203) 762-4300. See our digital web ad at www.

DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 26. Code #012.

Congregation of Sisters of Bon Secours (C.B.S.) In 1824, Bon Secours became the first community of sisters to provide continuous nursing within the homes of those who were suffering. Our vision and mission: to defend all

life and creation and alleviate suffering; to bring a message of hope and “GOOD HELP” to those in need. Our faith-filled communities draw others to our charism of compassion, healing, and liberation. Community life and shared prayer balance our life of ministry as we contribute to a more humane world integral to spreading the Gospel. We minister in health care, retreat ministry, pastoral, social and human services, housing, education, etc. Through continuing founder Josephine Potel’s innovative spirit, we bring healing and wholeness beyond walls of tradition in rural areas and cities in the USA, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Peru, Ecuador, Tanzania and South Africa. Contact: Sr. Patricia Dowling, C.B.S., Vocation Director, 1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104; 1-877-7420277; e-mail: CBSVocations@bshsi.org; websites: www.BonSecoursVocations.org, www.LifeAsASister.org. Join us in our Chat Room discussions at: www.lifeasasister.org/talk-with-a-sister-aboutreligious-life/chat-room/ or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. See our web ads at www.VocationNetwork.org. and our digital web ad at www.

DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 23. Code #058.

Congregation of the Humility of Mary (CHM) Our journey as Sisters of the Humility of Mary began in France over 150 years ago. It is a spirit-filled history, rich with stories of pioneering women who founded schools and colleges, cared for the sick, sheltered orphans, provided spiritual guidance and befriended those most in need. Our understanding of “humility” grows out of its root word, “humus” meaning earth. We are, like Mary, “earthy women” –practical, flexible, hard-working--committed to caring for earth and all creation. As advocates for justice, we sponsor an emergency homeless shelter, transitional housing for single parent families, and Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, providing spiritual renewal in a quiet country setting. CHMs value and strive for a nourishing community life and we include lay associates in our common search for communion with one another and with the Divine. We welcome young women post-college and mature women (to age 60) to help us create the future as Magnificat Women in a 21st century global media culture. Contact: CHM Membership, 820 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport, IA 52804; 563-322-9466 or searching@chmiowa. org; Website: www.chmiowa.org.

See ad on page 53. Code #363.

Consolata Missionary Sisters The Consolata Missionary Sisters are members of an international missionary Institute of women religious founded by Blessed Joseph Allamano in Turin, Italy, in 1910. The purpose of our congregation is to fulfill Jesus’ mandate to go and proclaim the Good News of Consolation to all nations. The Sisters are presently committed to this goal by ministering in several countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South and North America. We do this through a variety of ministries: as catechists, nurses, teachers, pastoral ministers, social workers, pastoral administrators…in whatever way we can. As Consolata Missionary Sisters we simply want to be a presence…a presence of peace, of reconciliation, of love…a presence that comforts and reassures…that hopes beyond hope. With our lives nourished by the Word of

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WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

God and sustained by the Eucharist, we strive to build communities that are poor and prophetic, centered on the experience of Christ, open to all people for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Contact: Vocation Office, P.O. Box 371, Belmont, MI 49306; Phone: (616) 361-2072; e-mail: reusamc@consolatasisters.org; website: www. consolatasisters.org.

Code #440.

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Daughters of Divine Zeal (F.D.Z.) We are an international community of sisters established by St. Hannibal Marie Di Francia in 1887. We embrace the vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty, and profess a fourth vow: to pray and work for priestly and religious vocations (Rogate). Our charism is founded on the Gospel command of Jesus, “Pray the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into His Harvest. . .” (Mt. 9:37-38). Committed to prayer and ministration, the Daughters of Divine Zeal render service to schools, nursing homes, missions, parishes, and other local church needs.

We invite women between 18 and 40 years old to join us. Cabrini Convent, 234 Franklin Street, Reading, PA 19602; Hannibal House Spiritual Center, 1526 Hill Road, Reading, PA 19602, Daughters of Divine Zeal, 379 E. Manning Avenue, Reedley, CA 93654; e-mail: hannibalmarylucy@yahoo.com; website: www.fdz. com.au/order.

Code #236.

Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) or Salesian Sisters We are the largest order of Sisters in the world and founded for the salvation of youth. Known for deep devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist, a great love for Mary, and our fidelity to the Pope. Over 13,000 Sisters—present in 89 countries throughout the world—changing the world one young person at a time! “Salesian Sisters: Like Mary, for Jesus and for the Young.

OUR FOCUS is YOUTH! (We really love kids, and especially the poor!) Our Sisters are teach-

Enter #008 at VocationMatch.com ers, school principals, youth counselors, nurses, doctors, campus ministers, coaches and mentors.

Contact us: Sr. Colleen, FMA, call or text (732) 597-3988 or e-mail us: happynun@yahoo.com; www.happynun.com; www.facebook.com/Salesian.Sister; www.youtube.com/user/happynun; 659 Belmont Ave., North Haledon, NJ 07508.

Code #498.

Daughters of St. Mary of Providence The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence were founded in 1881 by Saint Louis Guanella to spread the “Culture of Charity.” As Instruments of Providence, we do not limit our energies but extend them to provide assistance wherever serious circumstances and need arise. The Daughters are currently serving in 14 countries around the world: Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Romania, India, the Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Mexico, Canada and the United States.

We are sent to evangelize those in need and to reveal to them the Provident love of the Father with our works of mercy. We dedicate ourselves with a preferential love to persons less favored with gifts of intelligence and physical health, as well as those in need of religious formation, and those deprived of human support. We offer our lives to as many as Providence puts on our path and feel the solicitous concern to be “sister, mother, and friend,” to become one family with them. For more information: call: (773) 5458300; e-mail: dsmpchi@sbcglobal.net; website: www.dsmpic.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 115. Code #263.

Daughters of St. Paul (F.S.P.) Founded by Blessed James Alberione in 1915 to take up the modern media for the Gospel and the Church, the Daughters of St. Paul bring Jesus Christ to all people in more than 50 countries. Meeting Christ in the Word and the Eucharist through daily Mass, meditation, community prayer, and our Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, we are transformed into Christ in order to proclaim him to the world through print and digital publishing, radio, Internet, social media, music, art, video, apps, our book and media centers, and media education seminars. Age limit: 18-30 years old.

(Exceptions can be made.) Discernment retreat weekends and Come and See programs are offered, as well as the St. Paul Summer Program for

high school women. Website: www.daughtersofstpaul.org. Contact: Sr. Margaret Michael, F.S.P., Vocation Director, 1025 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 549-3806; e-mail: vocations@ paulinemedia.com. En español: vocacionesfsp@ gmail.com. Canada: Vocation Director, 3022 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario M6B 3T5; (416) 781-9131; e-mail: PaulineToronto@gmail.com.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #015.

Daughters of the Heart of Mary (DHM) WOMEN CONSECRATED FOR MISSION. As an international congregation, we profess vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience and live contemporary and often hidden religious lives without distinctive sign or title, patterned after Mary of Nazareth. In community life we share a common spirituality and prayer life nurtured through regular meetings, days of prayer and spiritual renewal, community celebrations, and province-wide gatherings. Whether residing in a small group setting with other sisters or with family or alone, we are missioned to serve in ministries broad and diverse. Although founded in 18th Century France, our 21st Century Mission is “TO SEEK TO FOSTER A WORLD ROOTED IN AND REVITALIZED BY THE WORD OF GOD.” U.S. Vocation Director, 1365 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA 01040; (413) 534-4502; e-mail: vocations@dhmna.org; website: www. dhm.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 152. Code #150.

Daughters of Wisdom (D.W.) Founded in France in 1703, the US Province was established in 1949. Called in community to seek and contemplate Divine Wisdom present in a world that hungers for meaning, justice, and compassion, the Daughters of Wisdom seek to bring the message of Jesus, Incarnate Wisdom, to people experiencing injustice, violence, poverty, and oppression, especially women and children. As an international Congregation, we minister in the United States and 21 other countries to those in need of education, health care, and basic human and spiritual resources.

385 Ocean Avenue, Islip, NY 11751; (631) 2772660; e-mail: vocation@daughtersofwisdom. org; website: www.daughtersofwisdom.org.

See ad on page 46. Code #275.

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Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (D.C.) The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul are an international community of Sisters called to serve Jesus Christ in persons who are poor and marginalized. Motivated by the love of Christ and strengthened by a deep prayer life, they live and pray in community, supporting each other in the common mission of service of those living in poverty. The ministries of the Daughters of Charity include education, healthcare, social services, pastoral ministry, advocacy for change and others. In addition to the United States, there are nearly 17,000 Daughters of Charity throughout the world in 94 countries. Faithful to the teachings of the Church, they proclaim the Gospel message through their words and actions.

The mission of the Daughters of Charity calls them to be innovative and inventive, collaborative and inclusive. In whatever they do, they strive to perform their service in imitation of Jesus Christ. Website: www.daughters-ofcharity.com; Facebook: Daughters of Charity Vocations U.S.; Blog: Spirit of the Daughters of Charity; YouTube: DaughtersofCharityUS; Twitter: DofCharity.

See ad on page 121. Code #168.

SISTERS What is your current ministry?

Here in San Antonio, Texas, I am a member of our traveling bilingual evangelization team, and I’m the local vocation directress. We organize parish missions, retreats, workshops, parish book displays, and Catholic book fairs. I also sing in our recording and performing choir.

Your favorite way to pray?

I love contemplative prayer in the presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Most fun you’ve had with your community?

Put a few Daughters of St. Paul in a room and in very little time laughter will emerge. I enjoy spending time with the sisters, hearing stories and playing games.

Although I am not normally the sister who causes roaring laughter, I really enjoy our sisters who share this gift.

Any nicknames?

Both my brothers tower over me, so people used to call me “Little Bui.” Now “Kimmie” is more common.

Saying “yes” to the Lord every moment SISTER MARIA KIM-NGÂN BÙI, F.S.P. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Sister Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi, F.S.P. grew up in Tempe, Arizona with plans for a career, children, and plenty of family nearby. “I dreamed of my siblings and cousins purchasing homes in a cul-de-sac so all the children could play in the center.” She met a Daughter of St. Paul through her parish, and as her faith grew, so did her call to religious life. Many people, she says, “have continued to inspire and enflame my love for the Lord.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAUGHTERS OF ST. PAUL

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Any words of wisdom for those considering religious life?

I love to encourage those considering religious life to say “yes” to the Lord moment by moment. This will lead to the greatest and most profound joy.

We follow the Lord step by step.

Jesus is always there to guide and bless us with his infinite mercy.

Favorite aspects of ministry?

My favorite part of ministry is meeting all the people the Lord puts on our path. It is always a deep moment of delight to be able to hear and learn how God is working in people’s lives. I also love learning and collaborating with people.

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Dominican Sisters (O.P.) Dominican Sisters live in many locations throughout the U.S. We share a common heritage, and are influenced by differences in our geography and history. As Dominicans, we claim preaching as our mission, supported by a life of prayer and study in community. In apostolic congregations members often live in the locale where our particular ministries are located. Our preaching may take many forms, such as parish or diocesan ministry, education or health care, advocacy for justice, legal aid, the arts, spirituality or missionary activity. In all our ministries Dominican women strive for integrity in serving God and creation in the 21st century. Women in their 20’s - 40’s are invited to contact a Dominican congregation for specific information about the process for joining this mission as a vowed member. Women are also invited to obtain information about retreat opportunities and volunteer programs at a nearby Dominican community. Locate one by visiting our website: www.domlife.org/Vocation.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—Blauvelt, NY Our Dominican motto: to praise, to bless, to preach the Word of God frames our lives of prayer, study, common life and ministry. We endeavor to proclaim the good news of the compassionate love of God for each person with a special consciousness of and presence to those who are poor and on the margins of society. In living out this mission, we serve in a variety of ministries including education, social services, health care, pastoral care, peace and justice, and prison ministry. We have committed ourselves to intentionally embrace the future with hope and recognize that God’s design is one that leads us to a greater understanding of the sacredness and oneness of all creation. We invite you to join us. To learn about our life and ministries, visit our website www.opblauvelt.org, and blog or contact Sr. Michaela Connolly, O.P.; e-mail: mconnolly@opblauvelt.org.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—Grand Rapids, MI Drawn into the love of our God, we are vowed Dominican women preachers of hope: preaching by our very being, preaching the Word, and preaching in diverse forms through our ministries. Through prayer, study, common

Enter #183 at VocationMatch.com life, and ministry, we strive to live the gospel, embodying God’s compassion for our needy world. We are contemplative Dominican women who desire to become the prayer that we pray, both individually and communally. We have a passion for justice, a desire to be in right relationship with God, one another, and the earth.

Our ministries are as diverse and creative as are the gifts and talents of our members. We serve primarily in Michigan, New Mexico as well as in 17 other states and in Peru and Honduras.

Join our Sisters and Associates in preaching the Gospel! Vocation Ministry, Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids, 2025 East Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3895; (616) 514-3116. Visit our website: www.grdominicans.org.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—Mission San Jose, Fremont, CA How is God calling you to be your best? Where are you going in your life? Does the love and joy of God tug at your heart? Contact the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose (Order of Preachers)—joyful Gospel women whose prayer, study, community, and ministry empower them to preach Jesus Christ by varied missions of evangelization and education that promote justice and peace. Inspired by Saint Dominic, Saint Catherine of Siena, and foundress Mother Pia Backes, we center our lives on the Word of God, contemplate God’s Truth, and share it with others. We serve in education, pastoral, health care, social service, peace and justice and media ministries. Preferentially, we serve those who are young, poor or vulnerable in the United States and Mexico. Vocation Director: Sr. Mary Yun; vocations@msjdominicans.org; (213) 760-3085; 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539-5829.

Visit our website: www.msjdominicans.org.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—Racine, WI In harmony with our Dominican heritage of study and contemplation, we strive to be listeners and bearers of God’s Word. We are women “committed to truth and compelled to justice” who serve by our life-giving presence in areas of education, pastoral and retreat ministry, spiritual guidance, health care and social justice. We stand in solidarity with people who are oppressed and alienated by unjust systems. At this urgent time in the church and global community, Racine Dominicans invite others to join them in com-

munity life, prayer, and ministry. Contact: Sister Kathy Slesar, O.P., 5635 Erie Street, Racine, WI 54302-1900; (262) 898-4083; e-mail: vocations@racinedominicans.org; website: www.racinedominicans.org. Also visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/RacineOP. See ad on page 13. Code #018.

Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—San Rafael, CA Since 1850 the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael have been a vital part of the history and development of California, its people, and its church. We have established convents, schools, and hospitals throughout California and Nevada.

We are committed to the Mission of Dominic: to proclaim God’s Word in our world. We serve in a broad array of ministries: education, health care, social service, pastoral care, advocacy for justice, and spiritual guidance. With our lives rooted in God’s truth and love, we are dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel in a world full of people who hunger and thirst for God’s love.

We celebrate our calling as preachers and we welcome other women to join us in community and ministry. Nan Brenzel, Ed.D., 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901-2236; (415) 2574939; fax: (415) 453-8367; e-mail: vocations@ sanrafaelop.org; website: www.sanrafaelop.org.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—Sinsinawa, WI As Dominicans we trace our roots to the 13th century when St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers (O.P.). That provides us with nearly 800 years of history as members of a worldwide Dominican Family. Our U.S. congregation was founded in Wisconsin by an Italian Dominican missionary, Samuel Mazzuchelli, O.P. in 1847.

Fr. Samuel, currently recognized as “Venerable,” is well on his way to being named a saint by the Vatican. Today more than 450 Dominican Sisters from Sinsinawa are “called to proclaim the Gospel through the ministry of preaching and teaching in order to participate in the building of a holy and just society” and minister in dioceses all over the United States and in Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. Share in the vitality of Dominican life. Contact: Relationship for Mission Team, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI 53824; e-mail: RFM@sinsinawa.org. Please visit us at: www.sinsinawa.org; www.facebook.com/ sinsinawa; www.catherinescafe.blogspot.com.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

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Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—Adrian, MI We Adrian Dominican Sisters are 710 vowed women. We serve in various parts of the world: California, Mid-Atlantic States, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Canada, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines. We minister as lawyers, doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and pastoral ministers in the parish, parish administrators, and educators in elementary, high school, college and university. We sponsor and own the following institutions: Regina Dominican High School for Girls in Wilmette, IL, Rosarian Academy, West Palm Beach, FL and two hospitals Santa Cruz, CA and Henderson, NV. We continue the Dominican tradition of preaching through prayer, study, ministry and community. We invite you to learn more about us at www.adriandominicans.org. Or better yet, come and meet us. Vocation Director, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr. Adrian, MI 49221-1973, (517) 266 3537 or email: vocations@adriandominicans.org.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—Sparkill, NY We are Women Making a Difference! We are joyful, itinerant preachers who use our individual gifts and interests to empower the poor, oppressed and spiritually deprived. We use our gifts in teaching and nursing, as pastoral ministers, campus ministers, childcare providers, housing administrators and social workers to proclaim the Good News. Our ministries expand throughout the United States as well as in Pakistan. Listen for your call and respond. Contact: Sr. Margaret Palliser, O.P., 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976; (845) 359-4079; e-mail: margaret. palliser@sparkill.org; website: www.sparkill.org.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

Dominican Sisters (O.P.)—Springfield, IL We, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, are rooted in the mission of Jesus. Filled with the joy of the Gospel we are committed to bringing hope to our world. As St. Dominic did in 13th century Spain, we preach the Gospel in our own time and place, centered in prayer, study, ministry, and community life. We serve in Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, Washington, DC and Peru, South America. If you are a woman 18 to 34 and would like more information please contact: Sr. Teresa Marron, O.P., Vocation Director, 700 Ashland Ave., Chicago Heights, IL 60411; (708) 207-1874; e-mail: srteresa@spdom.org; website: www.springfieldop.org.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

Dominican Sisters of Divine Providence A contemplative-active community. Our main purpose as religious is to be deeply immersed in God through a serious prayer life. The specific work of the community is the spreading of the Kingdom of God through the apostolate of teaching. Our apostolic work flows from, alternates with, and is sustained by our prayer life. In a joyful and relaxing atmosphere we work together, share our gifts, and recognize and appreciate one another’s contributions and uniqueness. To contact us: 25 Harmony School Road, Flemington, NJ 08822; (908) 782-1504; fax: (908) 788-7394; e-mail: smtolp@yahoo.com.

See ad on page 27. Code #022.

Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of the Springs of Bridgeport (O.P.) New beginnings coupled with a lot of faith, hope and love offer us some challenging opportunities to serve the Lord. Who are we? We are women committed to the values embraced by St. Dominic in the 13th Century that still continue to be relevant today. Our focus concentrates on searching for Truth, Jesus Christ, through prayer, study, common life and various ministries. We live our Dominican vocation primarily as teachers, professors and scholars. We are women who are faithful to the Church and are convinced that the saving message of Jesus Christ needs to be preached in our times. What do you think? Do you agree?

Do you have what it takes to be a Dominican for the next generation? Contact us at www.dominicanvocations.org. Visit us on facebook: Bridgeport Dominicans. Dominican Sisters, 124 Bugg Hill Road, Monroe, CT, 06468; (203) 880-4455 or (212) 535-4680, ext. 121.

Code #351.

Dominican Sisters of Peace (O.P.) We are Dominican Sisters whose charism of preaching flows from our contemplation, study, and community.

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We are 600 Sisters and 500 Associates who live and minister in many states and in Honduras, Nigeria, Peru, and Vietnam. We value community life, prayer, ministry, study, simplicity of life, and itinerancy, as well as involvement in the global community. Our diverse ministries include education, health care, social work, spiritual direction, parish-based ministries, among others. We serve in colleges, secondary and elementary schools, literacy centers, ecology and spiritual outreach centers, retreat centers, parishes, prisons, and more. We work to create environments of peace by promoting non-violence, unity in diversity, reconciliation, and justice through solidarity, especially for women and children. For more information, please contact Sisters Pat Dual or June Fitzgerald at 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219; toll free 1-855-677-3223 or e-mail: vocations@oppeace. org; website: www.oppeace.org.

See ad on page 13. Code #018.

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Faithful Companions of Jesus (F.C.J.) God calls us to follow the Son in faithfulness, to stand at the foot of the cross with Mary and the holy women, there to be one with Jesus who thirsts for the coming of the kingdom. The Eucharist is central to our mission and ministry and guides our lives together in community. Ignatian spirituality is the root of our way of life. Through discernment we seek to become contemplatives in action. Listening for God’s call in the events of our everyday lives, we offer our whole selves for whatever God is asking of us in the world today. As we are a small international Society, willing to be sent anywhere for the sake of the Gospel; we often live in multicultural, intergenerational communities.

International unity is important to us. To learn more, please contact Sr. Ellen McCarthy; emccarthyfcj@gmail.com; Sr. Alicia Pérez; aliciapereza@ gmail.com. Website: www.fcjsisters.org; Twitter@ FCJsisters; Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/ FCJ-Young-Adult-Network/236227646401517; Blog: fcjsisters.wordpress.com.

See ad on page 150. Code #439.

Felician Franciscan Sisters (C.S.S.F.)— Our Lady of Hope Province, North America We, the Felician Sisters, are an active contemplative congregation of consecrated women founded by Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska. Our charism is to imitate her boundless love of God and surrender to God’s will in compassionate service, total availability and concern for the salvation of all people. We live and pray together in community, and follow the rule of St. Francis of Assisi. Responding to the needs of God’s people and of the times, we minister in health care, pastoral care, education, social work, spiritual and administrative services and other Churchrelated ministries. Today, Felician Franciscan Sisters minister to God’s people in the United States, Canada, Haiti, Brazil, Poland, Italy, England, France, Kenya, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine, Tanzania, and the Amazon. Find out more about us at www. feliciansistersna.org or contact the Vocation Center at navocations@feliciansisters.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 5. Code #025.

Franciscan Daughters of Mary (F.D.M.) The Franciscan Daughters of Mary, consecrated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, are contemplative/active missionaries dedicated to upholding the dignity of

every human person from the moment of conception until natural death, as is reflected in our fourth vow. We do this through a very active prayer life from which all of our apostolates flow. Faithful daughters of the Church, we serve Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Author of Life, with joyful simplicity in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Some of our apostolic works include; daily prayers for priests, operating a crisis pregnancy center, providing nutrition to needy friends and neighbors, running a free medical clinic for the uninsured individuals, teaching the Catholic faith to young people and being a beacon of “Hope” and a light for “Life” in our present “Culture of Death.” For more information please visit our website: www.fdofmary.org or e-mail us: fdmsisters@gmail.com; PO Box 122070, Covington, KY 41012. See our web ad at www.

DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 160. Code #306.

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (F.M.M.) We are 6,000 sisters from different nations and cultures serving in 72 countries. We are present in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and North America. Eucharistic adoration and community life are essential to our mission. Our ministries include education, health care, social services, prison ministry, pastoral ministry, parish work, soup kitchens, religious education, and working with immigrants and refugees. “Be ready to go anywhere to proclaim the Good News,” said our foundress, Blessed Mary of the Passion. Other saints and beatified members of our order include 7 martyrs and Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta, FMM. For more information contact: Sr. Sheila Lehmkuhle, FMM, 4311 Grove Ave., Stickney, IL 60402; (847) 421-7265; e-mail: fmmvoc@aol.com; website: www.fmmusa.org.

Code #125.

Franciscan Sisters at Springfield (O.S.F.) [Hospital Sisters of St. Francis] The Franciscan Sisters at Springfield welcome you to reflect on the Spirit’s invitation in your life and on how you might answer that calling as a religious woman in service to those in need. As Franciscan Sisters, we are members of an international, multicultural congregation who witness our Franciscan spirituality by reverencing all creation, living and promoting peace and justice and respecting the dignity of all people. We strive to meet needs throughout the world in order to be and to become the healing presence of Jesus. If you would like to be challenged to follow Jesus according to the Gospel and after the pattern of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi, we look forward to talking with you. Contact Sister Marguerite Cook at (217) 522-3386 or at discern@hsosf-usa.org where you can freely discuss your thoughts. We also invite you to visit our website at www.franciscansatspfld.org.

See ad on page 93. Code #037.

Franciscan Sisters of Dubuque, Iowa (O.S.F.) We are rooted in the Gospel and in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. We strive to live in right relationship with all creation by deepening our relationship with Mother Earth and Sister Water, by standing with persons who are poor and by making peace and practicing non-violence. We are a group of 250 sisters, 130 associates, and numerous volunteers. We serve in a variety of ministries in 14 states, Honduras, Canada, and St. Lucia. We partner with other religious congregations and civic organizations to respond to those whose needs are

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

greatest in this country and abroad. Our strength, our hope and our joy flow from our commitment to prayer, to each other, and to the people God calls us to serve in love. To learn more about our life, visit our website www.osfdbq.org or Facebook page www.facebook.com/dubuquefranciscans; e-mail us at Heldorferv@osfdbq.org; call/text us at (952) 457-5193; or visit us in Dubuque, Iowa!

See ad on page 151. Code #193.

Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (O.S.F.) Our mission is to be a transforming presence in society through witnessing Gospel values. Women of faith, prophetic vision and courage, our 93 sisters serve the poor and empower others to live the gospel with hope and joy. Our ministries in 12 states include pastoral care, education, health care, youth ministry and social services. As Franciscan sisters, we relate to creation as sister and have the same mission as St. Francis did to “go and repair.” We strive to foster relationships of interdependence that ensure a just, sustainable and vibrant earth community. We seek to change the framework from which humanity operates, and restore respect for a deep connectedness with earth. Our foundress, Mother Ernestine Matz, stated, “There is no place too far, no service too humble, and no person too lowly.” For information: www.fsolph.org; e-mail: srpam@fsolph.org; Sr. Pam Falter, 335 South Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63122; Phone 314-965-3700; Fax: 314-965-3710.

See ad on page 117. Code #170.

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (F.S.P.A.) As Franciscans we commit ourselves to promoting sustainability, seeking peace and justice for all, and inviting new members to join us on our Franciscan journey. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have prayed 24/7 since 1878. This Eucharistic Adoration is the essence of who we are and what we do. Today our sisters, affiliates and prayer partners live a spirituality of Loving Presence in mission, in community, and in solidarity with the oppressed. We minister throughout the United States as well as Canada, Guam, Mexico and Africa. We offer a wide variety of ministry options including education, health

Enter #037 at VocationMatch.com care, parish—just to name a few. Let’s talk. Membership Office, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-8800; (888) 683-FSPA (toll free); e-mail: membership@fspa.org; website: www.fspa.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #030.

Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth (F.S.S.E.) Following in the footsteps of our Founder Blessed Ludovico and living under the Third Order Regular Rule of Saint Francis, we commit ourselves to a Gospel life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As a multi-cultural community, we minister to God’s people on five continents. Worldwide we daily unite ourselves as community through our common celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Divine Office, Holy Hour, and meditation. We offer our service through education, health care, parish ministry, care of the elderly, and evangelization. We joyfully embrace living in community, sharing a life of prayer while being active in our ministries. Are you called to journey with us? Call, write, or e-mail. Request information; come visit. The first step of the journey is yours to take. Let us assist you along the way.

Vocation Office, Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth, 499 Park Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054; (973) 539-3797; e-mail: info@franciscansisters.com; website: www.franciscansisters.com.

See ad on page 35. Code #056.

Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement (S.A.) Founded in 1898, we are a community of women religious who share a vowed life within the context of community. Our spiritual and community life nurture and make possible our ministries that vary according to ones gifts and background. Presently, our Sisters minister in the United States, Canada, Italy, Brazil, Japan, and the Philippines. We minister in areas of faith formation, pastoral ministry, social services, retreat and guest house hospitality. Vocation Ministry, 41 Old Highland Turnpike, Garrison, NY 10524; (845) 230-8235; e-mail: vocation.ministry@graymoor.org; website: www. graymoor.org.

See ad on page 156. Code #211.

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart—Frankfort, IL (OSF) We, the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, are called by God to live the Gospel life after the manner of St. Francis of Assisi as women

religious. With love as the foundation of all we are, we incarnate the presence of Jesus—a sign of hope.

We joyfully embrace our vowed life in community which is sustained by our personal and communal prayer and sisterly love. We respond in a prophetic way to the needs of others through our ministries of education, healing, and service. We are currently in Indiana, Illinois, California, West Virginia and Brazil. Contact the Vocation Director: 9201 W. St. Francis Road, Frankfort, IL 60423; (815) 464-3873; e-mail: fsshvocations@aol.com; website: www.fssh.net.

See ad on page 95. Code #033.

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Glenmary Home Mission Sisters of America The Glenmary Sisters provide missionary services to all God’s children in the Southeastern United States including Appalachia. Serving in areas where the Catholic population is less than 2 percent, their ministry is guided by the Corporal Works of Mercy to: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit those in prison, and bury the dead. Through the Glenmary Sister’s ministry of presence and willingness to share in the daily struggles of the families where they serve, the people of these areas come to understand the love and concern of the Catholic Church and their own dignity as children of God. Contact: Barbara O’Nan, e-mail: barbara@glenmarysisters.org or Sr. Margaret Lola Alokan, 706-360-0599; website: www.glenmarysisters.org or call 1-800-301-2689.

Code #138.

Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart (G.N.S.H.) As Women Religious in the Catholic Church, we strive to Create a Compassionate World through our lives of prayer, ministry and advocacy. In the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus and our foundress, St. Marguerite d’Youville, Mother of Universal Charity, we collaborate with others, using our gifts and talents in service to emerging concerns of our world. Social justice, nonviolence and care of the earth are important values in our living, praying and working.

We are present in 9 dioceses on the East Coast of the U.S. If you are a woman between the ages of 20-45 with enough love in your heart to serve those in need, and are ready to explore our life and mission, please contact the Vocation Director: 1750 Quarry Road, Yardley, PA 19067, 215-968-4236, Vocations@greynun.org, www.greynun.org.

See ad on page 91. Code #183.

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Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist (FSJB) We are a new community, established October 2, 2006 in the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois. According to the example of John the Baptist, we dedicate ourselves to a life of limitless humility and self-renunciation. In this way we strive to decrease so Christ can increase. We want our lifestyle to be one of total trust in God. An indispensable part of our charism is to pray daily for priests and seminarians.

We commit ourselves to the service of Christ through His brothers and sisters, according to the needs of the Church and society under the guidance of the local Bishop. We are open to nursing, teaching, catechesis, and more. We are a contemplativeactive community faithful to the Holy Father and to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. We live a joyful and strong community life, rooted in the Eucharist and a solid prayer life and we wear a religious habit. Contact: Mother M. Vaclava Ballon, FSJB, 1209 E. Lake Ave., Peoria, IL 61616; (309) 688-3500; e-mail: fsjbpeoria@yahoo.com; website: www.sistersofjohnthebaptist.org.

Code #354.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES H

Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (S.Sp.S.) As an international missionary community of about 3,200 women ministering in 49 countries, we are called to share the Good News of Jesus and witness to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the world. Called by the Spirit, we are sent to peoples of diverse cultures, religions and social/ethnic backgrounds.

Wherever possible, we live in international/ intercultural communities. We participate in the mission of Jesus through education, health care, parish ministry, retreat work, spiritual direction, counseling and social services. In our ministry, we pay special attention to women and children who are pushed to the margins of society. For more information, please contact: Office for Vo c a t i o n M i n i s t r y, 3 1 9 Wa u k e g a n R d . , Northfield, IL 60093; (847) 441-0126 ext. 700 or 704; e-mail: sspsovm@aol.com; website: www.ssps-usa.org; www.worldssps.org; Follow us on Facebook: Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in the USA and Twitter: @sspsvocation.

See ad on page 49. Code #127.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

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Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (I.B.V.M.) [Loretto/Loreto Sisters] IBVM Sisters are an apostolic community of Catholic women present in 26 countries across six continents.

We live our Ignatian spirituality—contemplative in action—so cherished by our founder, Mary Ward, who in 1609 believed that “women in time to come would do great things.” We believe that women have great gifts to offer in promoting freedom, justice and integrity within church and society. We discern and embrace God’s desire in today’s changing and challenging times. We serve in educational, pastoral, and social ministries as parish ministers, religious education directors, teachers, spiritual directors, counselors, campus ministers, caregivers to women in need, and ministries among immigrants. With single-hearted love we hold ourselves open and ready to undertake whatever is for the greater glory of God and the good of those we serve. Contact Sr. Claire Vandborg, IBVM; (630) 868-2904; e-mail: vocation@ibvm. us. Visit our website: www.ibvm.us.

Code #210.

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Little Company of Mary Sisters (L.C.M.) We, the Little Company of Mary Sisters, are an international congregation named for the little group of faithful followers who remained in the company of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, at the foot of the Cross. Upon founding the LCM Sisters in Nottingham, England in 1877, Venerable Mary Potter dedicated her community to the Maternal Heart of Mary. We bear witness to the healing presence of Jesus through our spiritual and physical care of the poor, sick, suffering, and dying in our midst, and by constant prayer for the sick and dying of the world. We welcome single women, ages 21 to 45, of diverse cultures, talents, and life experiences who have the health and desire to follow Jesus in gospel living as consecrated women. Contact: Sister Sharon Ann Walsh, L.C.M., or Suzanne Petrouski, (708) 229-5095, American Province LCM Sisters, 9350 South California Avenue, Evergreen Park, 94 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

IL 60805; e-mail: vocations@lcmh.org; website: www.lcmsisters.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 163. Code #039.

sistersofthepoor.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 140. Code #041.

Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Since 1850 the presence of the Congregation of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in the Church is one of generous dedication and self-sacrificing love—Saint John Paul II. The goal of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception is: out of an exclusive love of God and following the example of Jesus Christ, to serve our neighbors who are most in need of spiritual and material help, especially children, the poor, and the sick. In simplicity and love we give proof of this by: • A Christian upbringing in preschools, schools, children’s homes, youth activities • Religious education and parish work • Caring for the poor, the sick, and the elderly • Serving in hospitals, assisted living and nursing homes • Other apostolic works.

Is Jesus calling you? Do not be afraid to come and serve Him. Mother Dorota; s.dorotab@ gmail.com; 1000 Cropwell Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003; 856-424-1962.

See ad on page 97. Code #432.

Marianist Sisters, Daughters of Mary Immaculate (F.M.I.) The Marianist Sisters are the women vowed religious in the Marianist Family. We continue the risk-taking faith of our foundress, Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, as educators in the faith and in developing faith communities in collaboration with the laity, and in the service of women, youth, and the poor.

We often work in collaboration with the Society of Mary, the men vowed religious in the Marianist Family. FMI’s serve in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the United States (Dayton, OH and San Antonio, TX). In the United States, we still have much of the pioneer spirit, with “a mission to spread the Marianist Charism wherever we are.” Vocation Office: Sr. Nicole Trahan, F.M.I. 1566 Crescent Blvd., Kettering, OH 45409; (937) 938-1882; ntrahan@gmail. com; See our web ad at VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 29. Code #105.

Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary (L.S.J.M.) The Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary are an active-contemplative community of religious women called to meet Christ in the poor, in one another, in the created world and in the Eucharist.

Embracing the spirituality of Charles de Foucauld, our mission is to Cry the Gospel with our lives. We live in community. Daily Eucharist, morning and evening prayer, adoration, service and hospitality are hallmarks of our life. Our apostolate includes a crisis center for the poor, a soup kitchen, a residential program for homeless men, a representative payee program and a good neighbor program. We were founded in 1974 by Sr. Mary Elizabeth Gintling who described our community as women “loving God together”, and as “wounded people healing wounded people”. Please contact: Sr. Marilyn Bouchard, P.O. Box 1755, Salisbury, MD 21802; (410)543-1645; e-mail: lsjm@comcast.net; website: www.thejosephhouse.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 17. Code #361.

Little Sisters of the Poor (L.S.P.) We are an international congregation living the Beatitudes in a spirit of joyful simplicity. Continuing the work of our foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan, our mission is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religious a home where they will be welcomed as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to himself. In addition to the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, we make a fourth vow of hospitality, through which we consecrate our lives uniquely to the aged poor. Through our vocation we wish to give quiet witness to the humility and merciful love of Christ and to the dignity of every human life. The Association Jeanne Jugan is comprised of Catholic lay men and women who share in our spirit and mission.

Visit our website: www.littlesistersofthepoor. org or contact us at 601 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, MD 21228; e-mail: serenity@little-

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Marianites of Holy Cross (M.S.C.) United with Mary standing at the foot of the cross, we, Marianites of Holy Cross, are APOSTOLIC religious, women of PRAYER and COMPASSION. Our mission, energized by our life in COMMUNITY, is to incarnate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. Called to be a PROPHETIC presence in an ever-changing world, we resolutely stand with those who are excluded. We number 200 sisters, and are part of the Holy Cross Family of Sisters, Brothers, Priests, and Lay Associates. We minister in the all-inclusive fields of education, health care, social work, and parish ministry in France, the United States, Canada and Burkina Faso. In prayer, community life, ministry, with family and friends, we witness to God’s Spirit dwelling within us and encourage others to recognize God’s action in their lives.

Sound like you? Contact us! E-mail: reneemsc@ marianites.org; website: www.marianites.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #162.

Maryknoll Sisters (M.M.) We are women religious missionaries in 22 countries in Asia, Africa, Haiti, the Pacific Islands and the Americas.

Rooted in the mission of Jesus, we cross boundaries of culture, race, gender, socio-economicpolitical status and faith traditions, collaborating with others to make God’s love and compassion visible. We serve as pastoral workers, social workers, community based health workers, doctors, nurses, catechists, farmers, teachers, theologians, spiritual directors and advocates for justice and peace, and the preservation of the environment and all creation. Our journey is shared with the people of all cultures, especially those who are marginalized and oppressed.

Through our mission, we work for truth, justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Join us. . . . to help make God’s love visible! Contact: Congregational Vocation Team: Sr. Maureen Hanahoe. Maryknoll Sisters, P.O. Box 311, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0311; (914) 941-7575 ext. 5612; email: vocation@mksisters.org. Our website: www.maryknollsisters.org/voc. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 14. Code #479.

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Medical Mission Sisters (M.M.S.) Medical Mission Sisters are women full of passion…for wholeness, for justice, for life. Like our Foundress, Anna Dengel, M.D., “it eats us up” when individuals and communities are denied the resources and opportunities they need to live as human beings. In our broken, wounded world, Medical Mission Sisters are called to live as a healing presence. We try to bring about a world where all live in harmony and no one is in want. We try to live as Jesus did, with care and compassion for all. Our 600 Sisters and 100 Associates partner with others in 17 nations today to help build one world where the gifts of all people, all cultures, all creation are affirmed and celebrated. If you would like more information about our special call in the Church, please contact: MMS Vocation Director at vocation@mmsmission.net. We also invite you to visit our website: www.medicalmissionsisters.org.

See ad on page 137. Code #042.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

Enter #033 at VocationMatch.com

Missionary Benedictine Sisters (O.S.B.), Norfolk, NE—Immaculata Monastery Rooted in the Benedictine Spirituality, the Congregation of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters was founded in 1885 especially for the missions. As a monastic community, we follow Christ and serve wherever the Church is in need, at home or abroad. We strive to bring Christ to places where He is not yet known or where He is insufficiently known. Our lifestyle consists of living and working together in community, under a rule and a superior. The Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist form the core of our common prayer life. We wear the monastic habit as a sign of our commitment to Christ, His Church, and our Congregation. With our monastic vows of Obedience, Stability, and Conversion of Life, we bind ourselves to Christ as well as to one another in the community. For more information: e-mail: vocations@norfolkosb.org; (402) 371-3438, or visit our website at www.mbsmissionaries.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 19. Code #004.

Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (M.S.C.) As Missionaries, we leave ourselves behind and encounter others by “being close to those crushed by life’s troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast.” ~ Pope Francis. We are Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—passionate and bold in responding to the most urgent needs of our world. Our works include health care for the poor and uninsured, elder care, education, low-income housing, advocacy for immigrants and persons who are trafficked, faith formation and human promotion. We are in 15 countries around the world. We are vowed sisters, lay missionaries, volunteers and many others who collaborate in our works—all seeking to be a creative and compassionate expression of Christ’s love in the world. Come.

Join us. For more information on how to share your gifts as a missionary for one year, two years, or the rest of your life, please visit our website www.mothercabrini.org. MSC Vocation

Director, 610 King of Prussia Rd., The Cottage, Radnor, PA 19087; Phone: 610-902-1039; email: mscvocations@mothercabrini.org.

See ad on page 3. Code #044.

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Oblate Sisters of Providence (O.S.P.) The Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of Providence was founded in 1829 to provide for the Christian education of children, specifically the daughters of the city’s Haitian refugees. As the oldest religious community for women of African descent, we continue the tradition of education and service to the poor and neglected begun by our foundress, Mother Mary Lange.

In African American and Latino communities in the United States and Costa Rica we serve primarily as teachers, school administrators, social workers, catechists and pastoral associates. Through our ministries we share the Good News of Christ by the integrity of our faith, our love of God and our firm hope and trust in God’s Providence. If you hunger for a deeper relationship with God, have a longing to help God’s people and desire to be an instrument of change, contact Sr. Marcia Hall, OSP, Vocation Director; (410) 242-8500; e-mail: ospvocations@oblatesisters.com; website: www. oblatesistersvocations.com. Together we have the ability to change lives!

Code #340.

Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (O.S.H.J.) The Oblate Sisters are a group of women who strive to attain union with God by offering their lives for diocesan priests. Their special charism is both spiritual and ministerial. The sisters are called first of all to pray for priestly holiness and to offer the joys and sorrows of their lives for the good of priests. Ministerially the sisters care for retired and convalescent priests, and collaborate with them in parish ministry, which includes teaching, directing religious education, hospital visitation, and distribution of the Eucharist to the home bound. The sisters also conduct a preschool and kindergarten, which is located on their Motherhouse grounds. Sr. Joyce Candidi, 50 Warner Road, Hubbard, OH 44425; (330) 759-9329; e-mail: jcoblate@aol.com; website: www.oblatesistersofshj.com.

See ad on page 31. Code #196.

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Medical Missionaries of Mary (M.M.M.) Inspired by our Blessed Mother’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) follow her example, bringing Christ’s healing love to those most in need.

Sustained by prayer and community life, each sister, in self-surrender, seeks God through a life-long commitment of poverty, celibacy, and obedience in service to the sick, poor, marginalized and most neglected of our world. MMM is particularly drawn to those services that heal and empower women. MMM presently serve in nine African countries, Brazil and Honduras ministering in a variety of professional capacities such as midwives, nurses, doctors, social services, administrators and various pastoral ministries. The sisters strive to identify, respect and affirm cultural differences and wisdom with particular regards to health and healing.

Primary Health Care, in continuous dialogue with the local people, is a MMM priority. Contact: Sr. Nina Underwood, 179 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143; (617) 666-3223; e-mail: nina-underwood@comcast.net; website: www. mmmusa.org and www.mmmworldwide.org.

Code #299.

Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (O.L.A.) We are contemplatives in action: finding God in all things and all things in God. We joyfully consecrate our lives to God for the proclamation of the Gospel. We work in 19 countries across three continents and take part directly in the mission of the Church by working for the construction of a new world according to God’s plan, particularly in Africa. Since our beginnings in France in 1876, O.L.A.s has been dedicated to fulfilling the intense missionary dream of our founder, Fr. Augustine Planque, Society of African Mission. By God’s grace, we serve where the Gospel has yet to be rooted and human need is greatest. Our ministries include education, health, development, inter-religious dialogue, and pastoral care. Promoting women, children, and the marginalized is a priority in all we do. In solidarity with like-minded people, we engage in nonviolent action for justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. We invite young women who feel that God may be calling them to be a missionary sister to have the courage and faith to answer that call and become an O.L.A. For more information contact: Sister Gabrielle Farrell O.L.A., labyrinth@olaireland. ie; www.olaireland.ie.

Code #459.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary We are a Eucharistic and contemplative community consisting of priests, brothers, and sisters, who wear a full habit, as well as lay “external” members, all of whom are consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our daily schedule, besides Holy Mass, includes: 15 decade Rosary (20 on Thursday), Divine Mercy Chaplet, Liturgy of the Hours, and time for silent adoration, all before Our Lord Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. After being filled with the love and mercy of Our Savior, we go forth to be His reflection to others through various corporal works of mercy. Contact: Vocation Director, 48765 Annapolis Rd., Hopedale, OH 43976; (740) 9469000; e-mail: twohearts1@mac.com; website: www.heartsofjesusandmary.org.

Code #271.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

P

Pallottine Sisters (C.S.A.C.)— Immaculate Conception Province The charism of the Pallottines is to awaken in each person the awareness that God has called us to be apostles. St. Vincent Pallotti, inspired by the universal call to holiness, established the Union of the Catholic Apostolate with priests, brothers, sisters, and laity in 1835 in Rome, Italy. Pallottines work together to give new life to faith, a new spark to love, and a new thrust to bringing all to unity in Jesus Christ. They do this through education of children and adults, youth ministry, formation programs for the laity, outreach to immigrants, and collaboration with other groups. As Pallottine Sisters community living, scripture, prayer, and the Eucharist are a major part of our religious life. We have missions in Italy, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Mozambique, Africa. For more information, write to Director of New Membership/Ministry, 98 Harriman Heights Rd., Monroe, NY 10950. Call (English) 845-4925076; (Spanish) 845- 238-3917; e-mail: newapostle98@yahoo.com; website: www. pallottinesisters.org; Facebook: Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate. See our web ad at www.

DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 27. Code #433.

Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate We are contemplative-missionary Sisters, founded in New York City in 1920 by Mother Mary Teresa Tallon. Our apostolate of evangelization, religious education and social service assistance is fired by a life of Eucharistic prayer and love for Jesus and His Church. Mary’s Visitation to Elizabeth, and Jesus the Good Shepherd, inspire us as we visit parish families or catechize children, youth and adults. We seek especially to befriend and spiritually assist careless and alienated Catholics while guiding and encouraging Catholic family life. To learn more about us, see our website at www.parishvisitorsisters.org or contact Sr. Dolores Marie, Vocation Director, P.O. Box 658, Monroe, NY 10949-0658; (845) 783-2251; e-mail: pvmi@ frontiernet.net.

See ad on page 98. Code #292.

Passionist Nuns (C.P.), Ellisville, MO Brides of the Crucified. Giving Him everything through Religious vows. A spirit of poverty, solitude, prayer and community builds a relationship with Jesus of worshipful love. We love for those who don’t; pray for those who won’t. Thus do we 96 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

serve God, the Church, the World. Loyal to the Holy Father. We pray the Liturgy of Hours, daily Holy Mass and Rosary, coming before the Blessed Sacrament at least 7 times daily keeps us attuned to the beatings of the Sacred Heart. Looking for something to fill the emptiness in life? Write: Passionist Nuns, 15700 Clayton Rd., Ellisville, MO 63011-2300; website: home.catholicweb. com/passionistnuns. NO E-MAIL. Please provide a mailing address when you write.

Code #047.

Poor Clares (O.S.C.) [Order of Saint Clare]— Jamaica Plain, MA Our order was founded in 1212 by St. Clare of Assisi with the help and guidance of St. Francis. As Poor Clares we are cloistered contemplatives who pray for the needs of the Church and the world. Celebration of the Eucharist, praying the Liturgy of the Hours as well as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, private prayer and spiritual reading are part of our day. Our work is comprised of making liturgical vestments, shipping altar breads to parishes and providing cards for all occasions. Candidates are welcome to join us in our life of Gospel living in community. Contact: Sr. Mary Magdalen, 920 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130; e-mail: mmagdalen46@yahoo.com; tel. (617) 524-1760; www.poorclaresboston.org.

See ad on page 33. Code #438.

Poor Clares (O.S.C.) [Order of Saint Clare]— Langhorne, PA Cloistered Franciscan nuns, founded by St. Clare of Assisi, companion of St. Francis of Assisi. For 800 years Poor Clares have been part of the heart of the church, living the Gospel Life in their contemplative life style which is nourished by daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during times of the day, and a joyous community life. A year of postulancy follows a time of getting to know the community.

There are two years of novitiate before vows. Each Poor Clare house is autonomous, but joined in living the ideals with Poor Clares throughout the U.S. and the world. Join us in living a life of love of God and in loving and praying for the world. Monastery of St. Clare, 1271 LanghorneNewtown Road, Langhorne, PA 19047-1297, e-mail: vocation@poorclarepa.org; website: www. poorclarepa.org.

See ad on page 52. Code #048.

Poor Clares (O.S.C.) [Order of Saint Clare]— Spokane, WA Cloistered Franciscan nuns following the Primitive Rule of St. Clare. Our order is 800 years old and we have been in Spokane since 1914. We are a habited community following the teachings and traditions of the Church.

We pray the Liturgy of the Hours with Eucharistic adoration and celebrate daily Mass in our chapel. Our daily schedule follows the monastic tradition of prayer and work, both individual and communal.Our community, known for its joyful missionary spirit, evangelizes from our cloister through our outreach ministries of intercessory prayer, internet, newsletters, books and our 24 hour Catholic radio station.We accept Catholic women between the ages of 18 and 40 with at least a high school education. To request information or arrange a visit, contact Sr. Debbie, Monastery of Saint Clare, 4419 N. Hawthorne St., Spokane, WA 99205; (509) 3274479; e-mail: spokanepcvocations@gmail.com.

Website: www.calledtojoy.com or facebook: Poor Clare Nuns of Spokane.

Code #194.

Poor Clares (O.S.C.) [Order of Saint Clare]— Travelers Rest, SC As Poor Clare Nuns, we the sisters of the Monastery of Saint Clare in Travelers Rest, SC live a life of contemplative prayer and pray for the whole world. In the tradition of Saint Clare and Saint Francis of Assisi we choose to live simply and in community. Our daily schedule includes communal praying of the full Liturgy of Hours, Eucharist, personal prayer, sacred reading, and work within the monastery. Eucharistic adoration is available daily. We welcome unmarried women between the ages of 25 and 45 who may be feeling God’s call to live our life of prayer, community, and contemplation. We hope to hear from you: Vocation@poorclaresc.com; (864) 834-8015, 37 McCauley Rd., Travelers Rest, SC 29690. We encourage you to visit our website: www.poorclaresc. com. Please know that as you are reading this your Poor Clare sisters are holding you in prayer.

Code #359.

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (P.H.J.C.) We are an international congregation of apostolic women religious. We minister with the poor, the sick and children in the United States, Mexico, Germany, England, the Netherlands, India, Brazil, Kenya and Nigeria. With prayer and community living as our foundation, we carry out the mission of Jesus. Focused on partnering in the work of the Spirit, we invite others to join us in various facets of education, pastoral and social work, neighborhood based health ministries, spiritual guidance, and care for the environment. We are recognized more by the love and simplicity with which we serve than by any particular ministry. The Poor Handmaids, together with the Associate and Fiat Spiritus communities, live the spirit of Blessed Catherine Kasper, our foundress. In the U.S.A.—Sr. Michele Dvorak, P.H.J.C., P.O. Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513; (574) 936-9936; e-mail: mdvorak@poorhandmaids.org; website: www.poorhandmaids.org. In Mexico: e-mail: vocacion.spjc@gmail.com; website: www. siervaspobres.org.mx. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

Code #049.

Poor Servants of the Mother of God The Poor Servants of the Mother of God was founded in 1872 by Mother Magdalen Taylor. Her influence and inspiration continue in all works carried out by the Sisters, associates, and staff throughout the world, helping us rise to the challenges and opportunities of today. The deeply religious desire of the Sisters to serve the aging and sick has been handed down from generation to generation and is still very much apparent at Maryfield USA. One significant way was to establish Pennybyrn at Maryfield USA, a gracious continuing care retirement community nestled in 71 naturally landscaped acres in High Point, North Carolina.

Presently, Sisters work in Ireland, England, Italy, Africa, and the United States. Ministries include: Healthcare, Education. Pastoral Ministry and the Non-profit Sector. The spirit of our Catholic heritage of caring and devotion to God can be felt in everything we do. Contact: Sr. Lucy Hennessy, 1315 Greensboro Rd., High Point, NC 27260; (336) 821-6500; e-mail: sisterlucy@ pbmccrc.com; website: www.smgsisters.org.

See ad on page 35. Code #460.

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WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

R

Redemptoristine Nuns (OSsR) Order of the Most Holy Redeemer, Redemptoristines hear the invitation to search for God in contemplative silence and solitude within monastic community and surrender themselves to conversion and transformation into the “Living Memory of Jesus our Redeemer.” Centering on prayer and work in the enclosure of the monastery we meet the needs of our sisters, reach out to the local Church, and seek on-going formation beyond us.

Striving for unceasing prayer begins with daily Eucharist and continues through the Liturgy of the Hours, private prayer and recollection. In silence and solitude we are a praying presence, a memory of God’s love in the Church and in the world. Solemn vows are lived simply in poverty, lovingly in celibacy and willingly in obedience bringing us to contemplation. Freely offering ourselves to God, to be possessed by Him, we find the enclosure an external expression of an interior value; the desire for total availability to God. Contact: Sr. Hildegard Pleva, OSsR, Mother of Perpetual Help Monastery, 89 Hiddenbrooke Drive, Beacon, NY 12508-2203; 845-831-3132; e-mail: Contemplativecall@gmail.com; www. rednuns.org.

Code #336.

Enter #432 at VocationMatch.com NY 11228 for information about upcoming discernment retreats or to speak with someone about your discernment; 917-349-7935; e-mail: stbernadetteconvent@gmail.com. If God calls you, call us. Website: www.filippiniusa.org.

See ad on page 118. Code #051.

Salesian Sisters (FMA) Or Daughters of Mary Help of Christians: THE LARGEST ORDER OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS IN THE WORLD! Known for deep devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist, a great love for Mary, and our fidelity to the Pope. Over 13,000 Sisters— present in 89 countries throughout the world— changing the world one young person at a time!

“Salesian Sisters: Like Mary, for Jesus and for the Young. OUR FOCUS is YOUTH! (We really love kids, and especially the poor!) Our Sisters a re t e a c h e r s , s c h o o l p r i n c i p a l s , y o u t h counselors, nurses, doctors, campus ministers, coaches and mentors. Contact us: East: Sr. Colleen, FMA, call or text (732) 597-3988 or e - ma i l us : h ap p y n u n @y ah o o . co m w w w. happynun.com; www.facebook.com/Salesian.

Sister; www.youtube.com/user/happynun; 659 Belmont Ave., North Haledon, NJ 07508. West: S r . S a n d r a N e a v e s , F M A ; w w w. salesiansisterswest.org; 9758 Foster Rd, Bellflower, CA 90706; Phone: (562) 320-9948 or e-mail: ssneaves@gmail.com.

Code #255.

Religious Teachers Filippini (M.P.F.) We continue the work of Jesus the Teacher through education, pastoral ministry, youth and young adult ministry, catechetical instruction, and retreat work. The Filippini Sisters, inspired by their foundress, St. Lucy Filippini, are a traditional community. We live the communal life in local convents in eleven dioceses and three archdioceses in the United States. As an international community, we are present in seven countries with our General House in Rome.

Our community life is nurtured by common prayer, daily Mass, rosary, meditation and Eucharistic Adoration. If you desire to consecrate your gifts and talents to the service of the Lord and surrender yourself daily and say, “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will,” contact Sr. Shirlee Tremont, 1309-82nd Street Brooklyn,

School Sisters of Notre Dame (S.S.N.D.) We, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, are a vibrant, international congregation of vowed apostolic women with presence in 34 countries.

We are committed to serving God and God’s people in order to bring Jesus’ message of love and unity to our world. Impelled by the Spirit and mission of Jesus we work to empower others as we spread Jesus’ message of love and unity. We serve with a global vision believing that the world can be changed through the transformation of persons. Our life in mission integrates prayer, community life and ministry.

We believe that our international presence gives us a unique global responsibility and perspective as we address, through various ministries, the urgent needs of our times. You are invited

School Sisters of St. Francis (OSF)—Milwaukee, WI We are an international community of Catholic sisters who unite with others to help build a more just and peaceful world. As School Sisters of St. Francis, our mission is to live the Good News of Jesus and witness to the presence of a loving God as we enter into the lives and needs of people, especially the poor, throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, India and Africa. Through education, pastoral ministry, social justice, spiritual growth, health care, and the fine arts, we strive to be the Franciscan face of the Gospel to all those with whom we come into contact. Sustained by the spirit of Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi, we carry out our ministries with hope, joy, commitment, and connection—to God and to each other. Please contact Rosaura Solano, 1515 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53215; (414) 385-5253; e-mail: vocations@sssf.org; website:www.sssf.org.

Code #053.

School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King (SSFCR) The Congregation of the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King is an international order of religious women who serve the church throughout the world. In the United States there are over 45 sisters who offer themselves to the church through ministries of education, administration, religious education, care of the sick and elderly, in parish ministries, and in food service. As Franciscan women in the church today, we seek to live in a spirit of humility, simplicity, and total dedication to building God’s Kingdom on earth. Through prayer, Gospel living, service and community sharing, we walk together in hope and joy.

Girls, or women between 18 and 34 years of age, are encouraged to contact us. Sr. Mary Terese, Vocation Director, Mt. Assisi Convent, 13900 Main St., Lemont, IL 60439; (630) 2577495; e-mail: vocareosf@yahoo.com; website: www.lemontfranciscans.org.

See ad on page 113. Code #140.

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Religious of the Assumption, USA Province A diverse group of women living together in close-knit, friendly communities, we live out the vision of our foundress, Saint Marie Eugenie Milleret, by integrating contemplation and action. The Liturgy of the Hours, the Eucharist, and daily Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, coupled with personal prayer and study, give us the foundation we need to carry out our mission of “transforming society.” We commit ourselves to our charism of education in many ways, including teaching, parish work, counseling, and community development as we reach out to immigrants, to women, to children and young people, college students and other adult seekers. We have been striving to impact the world through prayer and action since 1839; today we are 1,200+ sisters in 34 countries. For more information about sharing your life with us for one year, two years, or for the rest of your life, visit www.assumptionsisters.org. Michelle Sherman, Vocation and Volunteer Ministry Director, 16 Vineyard Street, Worcester, MA 01603; e-mail: directorassumption@gmail.com; (508) 793-1954.

Code #466.

to share this joy-filled life with us. If you believe God is drawing you to take a closer look at religious life, contact one of our vocation directors at sisters@ssnd.org or (618) 3039322; www.ssnd.org; http://ssnd-vocations. blogspot.com/; www.twitter.com/School_Sisters; www.youtube.com/sistersofnotredame.

Code #052.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

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WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

in imitation of Mary, we proclaim the Gospel message in the spirit of Jesus the Redeemer. Strengthened by a life of vowed consecration, nurtured by prayer and the Eucharist, and sustained by community living, we radiate joyful service and promote Gospel values, offering compassion to all God’s people through our mission to evangelize, to catechize, and to teach. In the spirit of St. Alphonsus, we promote peace and justice in addressing the needs of the most abandoned poor. For information contact Sr. Rose Bernadette Mulligan or Sr. Marianne T. Lallone, Villa Maria House of Studies, 1140 King Rd. Immaculata, PA 19345-0200; (610) 889-1553; e-mail: ihmvoc@gmail.com; website: www.ihmimmaculata.org.

See ad on page 59. Code #187.

Enter #292 at VocationMatch.com Servants of the Blessed Sacrament (S.S.S.) A worldwide Eucharistic contemplative community, we maintain Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in our public Chapels. Our life of prayer is shared with others according to the talents of the Sisters, e.g. spiritual guidance, Eucharistic Minister, organist. Age limit: 20-45. Education: 2 years college or work experience. Contact: Sr. Catherine Caron; srcathcaron@hotmail.com; www. blesacrament.org.

Code #054.

Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary (S.S.C.M.) An international religious congregation serving the needs of the church through parish ministry, health care, teaching, counseling, and human services. The sisters in the United States serve in the dioceses of Belleville, Chicago, Rockford, Joliet, and Peoria. The heart of the ministry of the SERVANTS OF THE HOLY HEART OF MARY is the support and challenge of their lives of PRAYER AND COMMUNITY. It is personal prayer, as well as through the liturgical prayer of the church, that the sisters are impelled to ministry and community. For more information please contact: Vocation Office, Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary, 717 North Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510; (815) 370-7228; e-mail: vocation@sscm-usa.org; website: www.sscm-usa.org.

See ad on page 162. Code #055.

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.)—Immaculata, PA Animated by our charism of love, creative hope, and fidelity, and 98 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.)—Scranton, PA We, the Scranton IHM Sisters, see ourselves as women who value gospelbased community centered in prayer and service.

We are a little under 400 women and 150 plus associates who reach out in joyful, loving, hospitable and self-emptying service. Originally founded in 1845 to serve the educational and spiritual needs of immigrant peoples, we continue to serve in traditional and non-traditional educational settings. We also respond to contemporary needs by caring for those who are poor, homeless, spiritually neglected, sick, uneducated, and abandoned through individual and collaborative outreach as well as through our sponsored and cosponsored institutions and social justice ministries. In addition, we nurture a growing commitment to the preservation and sustainability of our earth. Contact: Sr. Mindy Welding IHM, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509, e-mail: reachout@sistersofihm.org, phone: (570) 346-5414; Visit: www.sistersofihm.org or Facebook: www.facebook.com/sistersofihm. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 110. Code #083.

Sisters of Charity (Federation) The Sisters of Charity Federation is comprised of 12 religious congregations, representing more than 4,000 members in the United States and Canada, who recognize their particular character and spirit in the tradition of Charity founded by St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Impelled by Christ’s love and joined together in the mission of Charity they respond to the cries of those who are poor and marginalized with lives of extravagant love. To learn more and for contact information for vocation directors of member congregations visit www.sisters-of-charity-federation.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #059.

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati (S.C.) We are an active apostolic congregation, following in the footsteps of our foundress, St. Elizabeth Seton. For contact information and to view our DVD “Extravagant Love: The Vocation of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati” visit our website at www.srcharitycinti.org/vowed.htm or write to Vocation Coordinator, 5900 Delhi Road, Mount St. Joseph, OH 45051. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #059.

Sisters of Charity of Halifax (S.C.) The Sisters of Charity of Halifax are seeking young adult women who wish to make the love of God visible by giving joyful witness! Our spirituality is rooted in the Vincentian tradition. We are committed to standing in the fire of Gospel values and responding to a world wounded by violence and stripped of hope. Urged by our charism of Charity we accept our call to an all embracing spirit of Hospitality in all our relationships including creation. While many of us are in Massachusetts, New York, and Nova Scotia, we also serve in other areas. Our ministries include education, pastoral ministry, social service, health care, earth ministry, social justice, community service, and outreach. We welcome those whom God calls to share our life of community, prayer, and service.

Considering religious life? Call Sr. Maryanne Ruzzo at (781) 997-1356; e-mail: mruzzo@ schalifax.ca; website: www.schalifax.ca. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #059.

Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (S.C.L.) Impelled by the love of Christ, we, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth offer every loving service in our power to meet the critical needs of God’s people. We are an apostolic community. We serve in California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Peru and southern Sudan. We serve in a variety of ministries including: Health care: hospitals and clinics for the uninsured; Education: college, high school, elementary; Pastoral ministry: diocesan and parish administration, religious education, spiritual direction, campus ministry, youth ministry; Social services: Catholic Charities, AIDS ministry, social justice advocacy. Sr. Victoria Lichtenauer, 4200 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048; (816) 718-2660; e-mail: VickiL@scls.org; website: www.scls.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #059.

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, KY (S.C.N.) We are an international congregation founded in 1812 in Kentucky. We and our associates are committed to work for justice in solidarity with oppressed peoples, especially those affected by poverty and women, and to care for the earth. We engage in diverse ministries in the U.S., India, Nepal, Belize, and Botswana. Sr. Nancy Gerth, S.C.N., P.O. Box 10, Bardstown, KY 40048; (502) 331-4516; e-mail: ngerth@scnky.org; website: www.scnfamily. org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #059.

Sisters of Charity of New York (S.C.) An apostolic congregation of women living in community in the tradition of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. Founded by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, we are called to reveal God’s love in our lives with and for all in need, especially with persons who are poor. We serve particularly in the New York area, and among the people of Sololá and Quiché in Guatemala. Our ministries include education, health care, social services, pastoral care and housing. We collaborate with organizations working for peace/justice. We invite women to join us for the sake of the Gospel. To find out more about us, please visit our website at www.scny.org or call (718) 549 9200 x 302 at the Office of New

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WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

Membership, 6301 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471; e-mail: vocationsc@scny.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #059.

Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill (S.C.) Prayer, service, and life in community are the primary principles upon which the sisters carry out their mission, which is to reveal the reality and beauty of God’s love to people in need. The sisters administer and staff educational institutions from preschools through universities; serve in Christian formation; chaplaincy, counseling, pastoral, medical, and social services. They are represented primarily in the Dioceses of Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Arizona. Contact: Sr. Barbara Ann Smelko, S.C., 144 DePaul Center Rd., Greensburg, PA 15601; (724) 836-0406 ext. 6622; e-mail: basmelko@scsh.org; www.scsh.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #059.

Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida (SCSJA) Gifted with a 200-year tradition of vowed service with and among the poor, we choose again to be one with Jesus Christ and the powerless. We are rooted in the Gospel by dedicating ourselves to the love, empowerment, service and evangelization of the poor through a fourth vow. As an international community, we minister in 33 countries in a diversity of ministries. Committed to living in community, we invite women of daring love and faith to come join with us as we stand with and work among the powerless and the poor. Sr. Kathy Lundwall, S.C.S.J.A., 8560 North 76th Place, Milwaukee, WI 53223; (414) 354-9233; e-mail: kathy@scsja.org; website: www.scsja.org.

Code #060.

Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (B.V.M.) Established in 1833, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary continue to follow in the footsteps of our Irish foundress, Mary Frances Clarke, responding to God’s love and serving wherever the need is the greatest. We find strength in our faith in God, in one another, and with the people we serve. Our core values—freedom, education, charity and justice—

Praying. Serving.

Building community. Together.

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS 200 ST. FRANCIS AVE., TIFFIN, OH 44883 419.447.0435 vocations@tiffinfranciscans.org

sfctiffin.org sfctiffin.o FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Enter #287 at VocationMatch.com guide our lives and choice of ministry as educators, pastoral ministers, counselors, advocates for the elderly and immigrants, and in the ministry of prayer. Our commitment includes joining with others to work for justice and to care for Earth. Trust and a spirit of joy enlivens our community as God’s love frees us. This freedom calls us to honor diversity, to act against injustice, and stand humbly before God with gratitude. For information, contact: Lou Anglin, BVM and Kathy Carr, BVM; 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003; (563) 588-2351; e-mail: newmember@bvmcong.org; www.bvmcong. org; www.facebook.com/bvmsisters. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #296.

Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (C.C.V.I.), San Antonio, TX The Word dwells among us!

Inspired by the life and love of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, we profess a spirituality that challenges us to make the unconditional love of God real and tangible in today’s world. Responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable, sisters, associates, and lay missionaries live the mission of love in health care, education, advocacy, pastoral ministry, spirituality and the arts, social work, and care of the Earth. We bring a loving presence to God’s people in the United States, Ireland, Mexico, Peru and Zambia. We welcome persons who hear the call “be a real and tangible presence of Jesus in the world today”. For more information please contact Sr. Margaret Snyder, 4503 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209; 210-828-2224; e-mail: heedtheword@amormeus.org; website: www. amormeus.org.

See ad on page 102. Code #062.

Sisters of Christian Charity (S.C.C.) The Sisters of Christian Charity, an international, active apostolic congregation serving in eight countries, exists to live and make visible the love of Christ in the world today. The charism of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, foundress, impels the sisters to be women of faith with “joyous youthful enthusiasm and energy” that is the fruit of intimacy with Jesus in the Eucharist. Assumption College for Sisters is a two-year liberal arts college sponsored by the Sisters of Christian Charity, dedicated to educating women called to a life of consecration to God and of service in the Roman Catholic Church. SCC Eastern Province: Sr. Bernadette McCauley; 973543-6528 x 274; e-mail: sbernadette@scceast.org;

www.scceast.org. Western Delegation: Sr. Janice Boyer, 2041 Elmwood Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091; e-mail: sjanice@sccwilmette.org; www.sccwilmette. org. Assumption College for Sisters: Sister Joseph Spring, 973 543 6528 x 230; e-mail: president@ acs350.org, www.acs350.org.

See ad on page 112. Code #212.

Sisters of Mary Reparatrix (S.M.R.) We are Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, an international congregation called to a mission of reparation and reconciliation in union with Mary, who are rooted in the love of Christ, led by the Spirit, to manifest the tender love of God for the world. Sharing our lives in prayer, service and community, the Sisters are present in 22 countries and number 579 world-wide. We are 19 Sisters in the United States. Our presence is in Michigan, New York, Florida, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania. We have two retreat houses-Riverview and Port Huron, Michigan. Our ministries include prayer, retreat work, spiritual direction, parish ministry, altar breads, music/art ministries, hospital/nursing home visitation, and computer work. We were founded by Emilie d’Oultremont, d’Hooghvorst (Mother Mary of Jesus) in 1854, who was beatified in 1997. Sr. Joan Pricoli, 17320 Grange Rd., Riverview, MI 48193; (734) 2854510, e-mail: joanpricoli@comcast.net; websites: www.smr.org and www.maryrep.org.

Code #356.

Sisters of Mercy, Ireland (R.S.M.) The Sisters of Mercy were founded in Dublin, Ireland, by Catherine McAuley in 1831. Our founding call is to bring God’s compassionate love to the world and this continues to be our ongoing call wherever we are today. Our mercy mission is rooted in our relationship with God and this is nurtured through our lives of prayer and contemplation. We live and work in many countries worldwide in areas of great poverty and need. We continue to interpret the call of mercy and our desire is to make a difference in the lives of people, especially those who are struggling in various ways. We are very conscious and attentive to the care of planet earth. We work in collaboration with our mercy associates and lay colleagues in our endeavours to reach out to those in need. Our life in community is our constant support as we continue to live an authentic Mercy way of life. If you would like further information about the Sisters of Mercy please visit our website at www.sistersofmercy.ie.

Contact: Phyllis: phymoy@yahoo.co.uk; Martina: martinasheridan@hotmail.com.

Code #495.

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Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth (S.C.) As women of prayer, rooted in community and committed to the mission of Jesus Christ we are compelled by his love to make God known in the world. We work with and for the poor, to alleviate suffering and dispel ignorance and promote justice in all our ministries.

In the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and Mother Mary Xavier Mehegan we are faithful to our charism of charity as we engage ourselves in education, health care, diocesan and parish ministry, counseling, spiritual direction and retreats, homes for the aged, adult literacy programs, social services and advocacy for the poor and oppressed. We serve in 20 dioceses, El Salvador, Central America and Haiti. For more information about us and living BOUNDLESS CHARITY IN YOUR LIFE AND WORK please contact the Office of Vocation Promotion and Admissions, P. O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ 07961-0476; (973) 2905325; e-mail: choosecharity@yahoo.com; website: www.SCNJ.org. Find us on Facebook by searching Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth Vocations. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #059.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

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IWBS

I Want to Be a Sister.

Is God Calling Me?

Go to www.iwbscc.org to see our calendar of vocational events and meet our Sisters.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

Enter #274 at VocationMatch.com Sisters of Mercy of the Americas (R.S.M.) We are an international community of Roman Catholic women who dedicate our lives to God through vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and service. For more than 180 years, motivated by the Gospel of Jesus and inspired by the spirit of our founder, Catherine McAuley, we respond to the continually changing needs of the times.

We serve in the communities where we live as doctors, nurses, health care technicians, chaplains, ministers, lawyers, paralegals, advocates, teachers, professors, librarians, counselors, therapists, case managers, social workers, spiritual directors and theologians.

We sponsor and serve in more than 200 organizations that work with those in need in the U.S., Central and South America, Jamaica, Guam and the Philippines. Share the mission of mercy: www.sistersofmercy.org/becomea-sister; www.sistersofmercy.org/blog; www. facebook.com/MercySisters; www.twitter.com/ SistersofMercy; Instagram.com/MercySisters; Pinterest.com/SistersOfMercy; newmembership@ sistersofmercy.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 48. Code #063.

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) live lives of prayer, service and community. Our mission is to share the goodness of God with others, particularly those most in need. We are involved in education from pre-school through university and adult education, religious and pastoral ministry, social services advocating for justice and human dignity and projects geared toward a healthy environment and care of the earth. Founded by St. Julie Billart, we are an international community. This year, we are celebrating 175 years of service in the United States, joyfully seeking to make known God’s goodness in our time. For more information, please contact us: Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Sister Marie Prefontaine, SNDdeN,Vocations Coordinator, 351 Broadway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149; 617.387.2500 ext. 13; E-mail: vocations@ sndden.org; Web: snddenusa.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 120. Code #065.

Sisters of Our Lady of Sion (N.D.S.) An International Congregation of religious women, joined by Associates and Friends, called to witness to God’s faithful love as revealed in the 100 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

scriptures for the Jewish people and all humanity. The Word of God is central to our lives as we seek to integrate a three-fold commitment: to the Church, the Jewish people and to a world of justice, peace and love. Our vocation calls us to work against all forms of racism, oppression and marginalization. In each of our ministries, we seek to respond to the biblical call to freedom and the imperative to “hear the cries of the poor”. Ministries include: Jewish-Christian and interfaith relations/dialogue, education, social work, community development, parish ministry, spirituality, biblical studies and catechetics, intercultural work, work with youth and indigenous peoples. Sion communities are located in every continent. The Congregation is comprised of two branches, Active and Contemplative Sisters. Contact: celia.deutsch@gmail.com or sistersofsion. info@gmail.com; website: www.sistersofsion.net.

Code #366.

Sisters of Providence (S.P.)—Saint Mary-ofthe-Woods, IN Through prayer and commitment to living in community, our sisters live deeply spiritual and faithful lives to God in service to others. Our foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, was canonized the eighth United States saint October 15, 2006. Embracing her spirit, we honor Divine Providence by serving in various ministries in 20 states, Washington, D.C., Taiwan and China. Our sisters are educators, parish life coordinators and social service professionals. Sisters help low-income families, foster children, migrant worker families and the elderly—all who may need affordable food, housing, health care and prescriptions. Other sisters support our ministry commitment to eco-justice and practice actively in being good stewards of God’s natural resources through preservation, restoration and reverent use. We invite women between the ages of 18-42 to join with us in serving God, and God’s people, as a Sister of Providence. For more information contact Sister Editha Ben at (812) 535-2895 or eben@spsmw. org; website: www.sistersofprovidence.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #068.

Sisters of Providence Mother Joseph Province (SP)—Seattle and Spokane, WA The Sisters of Providence are an international congregation founded by Emilie Gamelin of Montreal in 1843.

As women religious, our ministries are diverse,

fulfilling, and needed. They include education, parish ministry, health care, community service and support, housing, prison ministry, pastoral care, spiritual direction and retreats, and foreign missions. The community is composed of four provinces spread across Canada, the United States, Chile, El Salvador, Argentina, Egypt, the Philippines, Haiti, and Cameroon. Living in community enables us to support and enrich personal and communal growth and witness gospel values.

Our life of prayer includes quiet moments and faith sharing as we journey to wholeness. Contact the Vocations Office for Mother Joseph Province at (509) 474-2323; e-mail: vocations@providence.org; website: www.sistersofprovidence. net; Facebook: www.facebook.com/sistersofprovidencemjp.

See ad on page 151. Code #067.

Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius (SS.C.M.) The Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius were founded in 1909 in Scranton, PA. Our spirituality is Christ-centered and Marymodeled and flows from our motto, “Thy Kingdom Come.” We are a presence of Christ in the world through our vowed communal life, our spirit of prayerfulness and simplicity, and our joy in the service of the Kingdom. We live out our call and charism by witnessing to, proclaiming and building God’s Kingdom, dedicating our prayer and ministry to: evangelization, education, elder care, and ecumenism. We are based in the U.S., serving in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, and South Carolina. If you feel God may be calling you to a lifetime of service, or simply have questions about consecrated life, please contact: Sr. Sue Pontz, SS.C.M., at St. Anthony’s Convent, 11406 Lima Drive, San Antonio, TX 78213; (570) 2753581 ext. 331; e-mail: srsuepontz@sscm.org; website: www.sscm.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 101. Code #181.

Sisters of Social Service (S.S.S.) We Sisters of Social Service are women of many cultures who come together to fulfill the Gospel call to care for the poor and alienated. The right of all people to live in dignity is at the heart of our work and of our religious faith. Our lives are blessed by the Benedictine values that respect all people and things, cherish the familial warmth of community, make welcome the stranger, and find joy in work and renewal in prayer. We trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we continue to embark on new ventures in service to people in need. In the United States, Mexico, the Philippines and Taiwan, we challenge systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice. We work in community organizing, economic development, legislative advocacy and direct social services. Our service, programs, and facilities address the diversity of challenges facing women, children and families to meet needs and enrich lives. Contact: Sr. Marie Lindemann, 4316 Lanai Rd., Encino, CA 91436; (818) 285-3360; e-mail: vocationsss@gmail.com; website: www.sistersofsocialservice.com.

Code #420.

Sisters of St. Agnes (C.S.A.) The Sisters of St. Agnes participate in the mission of Christ by joyful service in the church, always aware that we, too, are among the needy and are enriched

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG by those we serve. As an apostolic community, we are committed to transformation of the world, the church, and ourselves through promoting systemic change for the quality of life; justice for the economically poor; furtherance of the role of women in church and society; mutuality; inclusivity; and collaboration. Sr. Edie Crews, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937; (920) 907-2310; e-mail: ecrews@ csasisters.org; website: www.csasisters.org.

See ad on page 26. Code #171.

Sisters of St. Francis (O.S.F.), Clinton, IA Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa are women of faith, joy, and compassion, seeking to follow in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, called to contemplation and continuous conversion and are sent as instruments of God’s peace. We promote active nonviolence and peacemaking, seek justice for those marginalized, and care for all creation. We invite women, who are seeking to live a Franciscan way of life, to make a difference in the world by working for peace through nonviolence, to take a giant step to journey with us as we choose to live into the future. Our ministries are diverse but include L’ Arche communities, peace ministries, health care, parish ministries, and ministries to the poor and marginalized.

Contact us at (563) 242-7611; e-mail: office@clintonfranciscans.com; online at www. clintonfranciscans.com; www.facebook.com/ SistersOfStFrancisClintonIA; www.twitter. com/ClintonSisters; view our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ClintonFranciscans; or visit us in person at 843 13th Ave. N, Clinton, IA 52732.

See ad on page 45. Code #475.

Sisters of St. Francis (Tiffin Franciscans), Tiffin, OH “This is a powerful place,” said one of our retreatants recently about our campus in Tiffin, Ohio. We are committed to listening and responding to God’s call for us as a community. Indeed, prayer, service and community have been our foundation since 1869, when Fr. Joseph Bihn and Mother Elizabeth Schaefer set out to help orphans and the elderly poor after the Civil War. Peacemaking, concern for the poor, contemplation/action and care of creation are the directions we follow as we walk through the world, doing what we can to answer God’s call. Today, we serve in Mexico and in several states in the U.S. We are forward looking and inclusive. We are surrounded by beauty on our campus in Tiffin, Ohio, which is home to

our Motherhouse, Franciscan Earth Literacy Center, St. Francis Spirituality Center and St. Francis Senior Ministries. Please contact vocations@tiffinfranciscans.org or (419) 4470435. Visit www.sfctiffin.org and find us on Facebook @ Tiffin Franciscans and on Twitter @ TiffinSisters.

See ad on page 99. Code #287.

Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi “Women of faith touching a world in need.” Our Franciscan Congregation is committed to bringing the teaching, healing, reconciling, and liberating power of Jesus to every life we touch. We stand in solidarity with women and those who are poor, oppressed, and disenfranchised. We promote social justice, preservation of the earth, harmony and world peace. We seek to deepen our Franciscan identity. Our ministries are as diverse as the women who serve them: administrators; teachers; health-care providers; social workers and counselors; campus, prison, and parish ministers; child care workers; artists and musicians. Community members are located across the United States and in Taiwan. We seek to share the Franciscan way of life with all who wish to learn more. Sr. Adele Thibaudeau, 3221 S. Lake Drive, St. Francis, WI 53235; (414) 294-7306; e-mail: athibaudeau@lakeosfs.org; website: www.lakeosfs.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 112. Code #072.

Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (O.S.F.) Led by the Spirit, we, as Joliet Franciscans, embrace the Gospel life by commitment to Franciscan values and respond to the needs of our time through prayer, community, and ministry. We minister in preschool through adult education, in parish ministry, health care, social services, religious education, and as musicians and artists. Ministering in 13 states and in Brazil, we invite inquiries from women who feel called to our Franciscan way of life as vowed members.

Inquiries are also welcomed from both men and women interested in the Associate relationship.

Vocation Minister: Sr. Mary Jo Young, O.S.F., 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435; (815) 725-8735; fax: (815) 725-8648; e-mail: mjyoung@jolietfranciscans.org; website: www.jolietfranciscans.org.

See ad on page 21. Code #252.

Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia (O.S.F.) Gospel Women Making a Difference!

Will you join us in following Jesus Christ? We live the traditional Franciscan Third Order values of contemplation, poverty, humility, and continuous conversion through the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Community life, prayer and ministry support and express our relationships with God, others, creation, and self. We choose to take the necessary risks to be a compassionate presence in our violent world—especially with women; children; those who have no voice; and those who are economically poor, marginalized, and oppressed. Our varied ministries allow us to foster right relationships in our Church and promote peace in society in the United States and beyond. Are you interested? Have questions? Contact a vocation director: Sr. Chris-

Enter #181 at VocationMatch.com topher Marie Wagner (East), Sr. Elaine Thaden (West), Sr. Christine Still (West); vocations@ osfphila.org, www.osfphila.org. See our web ad at www.DigitalVocationGuide.org.

Code #139.

Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH—Sylvanian Franciscans (OSF) We are 155 Sisters and 70 Associates ministering in 16 Dioceses in eight states, as well as the island of Haiti. The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio respond to God’s call to live the Gospel in joyful servanthood among all people through lives and ministries that reverence human dignity, embrace the poor and marginalized, and respect the gift of all creation. Placing our individual gifts and talents in service to the needs of God’s people, we are engaged in such diverse ministries as education, health care, social services, religious education, media, law, art, parish and retreat ministries, and spiritual direction. Sponsored ministries: Sylvania Franciscan Ministries—Health and Human Services Ministry; Lourdes University—Higher Education; All Good Things—The Sylvania Franciscan Art and Gift Shop. Contact: Vocation Network Team, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, OH 43560; 419-824-3914; vocations@sistersosf. org. Web: www.sistersosf.org; E-mail: vocations@sistersosf.org; Facebook: www.facebook. com/sylvaniafranciscans; YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/Sylvaniafranciscans.

See ad on page 45. Code #085.

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Sisters of St. Casimir (SSC) We seek to live a life of prayer, community, and service as we collaborate with others to make a difference in our world. We are open to the needs of our times, continuing to live the mission of Jesus in ways that reflect the spirit and faithfilled vision of our foundress, Venerable Maria Kaupas, and the Gospel vision of a peaceful, loving and just world. Our sisters and associates reside in both the United States and Argentina, serving God and God’s people wherever they are. Please contact us: Visit www.ssc2601. com, contact Sr. Grace Ann Kalafut, SSC, 2601 W. M a rq u e t t e R d . , C h i c a g o , I L 6 0 6 2 9 , gracekal@ssc2601.com; or (773) 776-1324.

Code #071.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

health care, social services, pastoral and spiritual care; as well as in new ministries. We offer many opportunities to blend your education and talents with the Franciscan tradition. We invite you to come grow with us. Contact Sister Caryn Crook at 315.751.6819; e-mail: vocations@sosf.org; website: www.sosf.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 21. Code #294.

Sisters of St. John the Baptist (C.S.J.B.) We are an international community founded by Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco in Italy in 1878. Our charism is to work for the glory of God in the service of our neighbor especially the poor, the abandoned, and those at risk so that they may be able to realize themselves in the Church and in society and become promoters of justice and peace. We seek to remove the obstacles which hinder people from freely accepting the Love of God into their lives through our prayer and community life and our apostolate. We are teachers, Directors of Religious Education, Pastoral Associates, Youth Ministers, School Principals, Administrators and Librarians, Counselors, Ministers of the Eucharist, Health Care Professionals, Pastoral caregivers of the aged, sick and dying.

Applicants must be free from canonical impediments, high school graduate, good physical and mental health, appropriate social maturity and a desire to serve God’s people. For more information please contact: Sister Liceria Sayon, CSJB, 57 Cleveland Place, Staten Island, NY 10305; (718) 447-4150 ext. 207 or 172; e-mail: sr.liceria@sjva. org; website; www.baptistines.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 157. Code #075.

Enter #062 at VocationMatch.com Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception (O.S.F.) Called to make God’s compassionate presence known through our vowed life in community, the Sisters of this diocesan religious congregation dedicate themselves to prayer, community life, and service in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, whose personal lifestyle was expressed in prayer, joy, and simplicity. The Sisters presently serve the people of God throughout Illinois through prayer and community witness, and a variety of ministries to all ages. These include caring for the aging, teaching, religious education for adults and children, adult literacy, parish ministry, social work, chaplaincy, teen and adult retreat programs, spiritual direction, and campus ministry. Sr. Sarah Elizabeth, 2408 West Heading Avenue, West Peoria, IL 61604; (309) 214-0184; e-mail: sistersarah@westpeoriasisters.org; website: www.westpeoriasisters.org. See our web ad at www.DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 31. Code #279.

Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities (OSF) Rooted in the Gospel we are sisters to all, serving with reverence, justice and compassion. Composed of four Franciscan communities with common historical roots, we are creating a new vision for our reunited community.

As a multicultural and international congregation, we strive to meet the needs of the church and the world today. Through our prayer and Franciscan life together in community, we are empowered to serve in traditional ministries, such as education, 102 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

Sisters of St. Joseph (S.S.J. and C.S.J.)—Federation Does loving God and neighbor without distinction stir your heart and energize you for living in today’s world? In 1650, six ordinary women came together to share their gift of God’s love. They prayed daily, lived simply in community and responded to the needs of their time.

Over 360 years later, this same mission continues in over 50 countries worldwide. We are vowed religious women from all walks of life who share the mission of Jesus, “that all may be one”. We do this through prayer, living in community, and responding to the needs of our time. Our mission calls us to work toward union of God and neighbor without distinction. Together with our Associates, Agrégées, and Volunteers we respond to the needs of our Church and world with compassion, creativity, and courage by using our individual and collective gifts in a variety of ways. Live the challenge of the Gospel with us! For more information please contact one of our Vocation Ministers: Albany, NY: Sr. Jeanne Marie Gocha, CSJ, (518) 783-3605; e-mail: jgocha@csjalbany.org; website: www.csjalbany.org; St. Joseph Worker Volunteer Program (Albany) Sr. Linda Neil, CSJ, (518) 3930528; e-mail: sjworkers@csjalbany.org; website: www.sjworkers.org. Baden, PA: Sr. Valerie Zottola, CSJ, (412) 926-2059; e-mail: valzottolacsj@ verizon.net; website: www.stjoseph-baden.org.

Boston, MA: Sr. Pat Quinn, CSJ, (617) 746-2045; e-mail: vocation.office@csjboston.org; website: www.csjboston.org. Brentwood, NY: Sr. Marie Mackey, CSJ (718) 791-7911; e-mail: Mackey@ csjbrentwood.org; website: www.brentwoodcsj. org; Dear Neighbor Volunteer Program, (718) 455 0197, migliorep@providencehouse.org. Buffalo,

NY: Sr. Mary Lou Schnitzer, SSJ, (716) 759-6454; e-mail: SML944@aol.com; website: www.ssjbuffalo.org. Chambery-West Hartford, CT: Sr. Dorothy Coulter, CSJ, (860) 233-5126; e-mail: dacoulter37@gmail.com; website: www.sistersofsaintjoseph.org. Concordia, KS: Co-Directors: Sr. Dian Hall, CSJ, (770) 546-6461; e-mail: dianhall@ csjkansas.org and Sr. Jan McCormick, CSJ, (785) 479-6795; e-mail: janmccormick@csjkansas. org; website: www.csjkansas.org; CSJ Volunteer Coordinator: Sr. Julie Christensen, CSJ, (785) 243-4428; e-mail: volunteer@csjkansas.org. Congregation of St. Joseph: Sr. Celeste Cotter, CSJ, (708) 310-1292; e-mail: ccotter@csjoseph.org; Lois O’Malley, CSJ, (316) 689-4029; e-mail: lomalley@csjoseph.org; website: www.csjoseph.org.

Erie, PA: e-mail: vocations@ssjerie.org; website: www.ssjerie.org. Honolulu, HI: Sr. Roselani Enomoto, CSJ, e-mail: roselani.enomoto@gmail.com; Rosemarie Montoya, CSJ e-mail: lokecsj@hawaii. rr.com; (808) 244-8123; website: www.csjhawaii. org. Los Angeles, CA: Sr. Ingrid Honore-Lallande, CSJ, (951) 704-8888, e-mail: ihonore-lallande@ csjla.org; and Sr. Darlene Kawulok, CSJ, (310) 889-2117; e-mail: dkawulok@csjla.org; website: www.csjla.org. Orange, CA: Sr. Mary Elizabeth Nelsen, CSJ, (714) 633-8121 ext. 7108; e-mail: vocationcsj@csjorange.org; website: www.csjorange. org. Philadelphia, PA: Sr.Celeste Mokrzycki, SSJ, (215) 248-7236; e-mail: sisterceleste@ssjphila. org and Sr. Michelle Lesher, SSJ, (267) 336–2985; e-mail: mlesher@ssjphila.org; website: www. ssjphila.org; SSJ Mission Corps Volunteer, Becca Little, (215)248-7235; e-mail: ssjmissioncorps@ gmail.com; website: www.ssjmissioncorps.org.

Rochester, NY: Sr. Donna Del Santo, SSJ, (585) 733-4422; e-mail: vocations@ssjrochester.org; website:www.ssjrochester.org; Sisters of Saint Joseph Volunteer Corps, (585) 529-5689; e-mail: volunteercorps@ssjrochester.org. Springfield, MA: Sr. Natalie Cain, SSJ, (413) 536-0853 ext.

249; e-mail: ncain@ssjspringfield.com; website: www.ssjspringfield.org. St. Augustine, FL: Sr. Kathleen Power, SSJ, (904) 610-9228; e-mail: ssjflvocations@bellsouth.net; website: www.ssjfl.org.

St. Louis, MO: Sr. Linda Markway, CSJ, e-mail: lmarkway@csjsl.org or Sr. Kathleen Eiler, CSJ, e-mail: keiler@csjsl.org; (314) 678-0315; website: www.csjsl.org. St. Paul, MN: Sr. Jill Underdahl, CSJ, (651) 696-2873; e-mail: junderdahl@csjstpaul.org; website: www.csjstpaul.org; St. Joseph Worker Volunteer Program (St. Paul): Bridgette Kelly (651) 690-7049; e-mail: bkelly@csjstpaul. org; website: www.stjosephworkers.org. Watertown, NY: Sr. Mary Gregory Munger, SSJ, (315) 782-3460; e-mail: smgssj@yahoo.com; website: www.ssjwatertown.org.

See ad on page 109. Code #024.

Sisters of St. Joseph (C.S.J.)—Albany, NY See what can be done with God’s Great love! Called by God and passionate for the mission of Jesus, the Sisters of St. Joseph come together to serve all persons.

With a distinctive spirit of hospitality and a particular concern for the poor we are called to do all of which women are capable. We witness to the Gospel message by being a unifying and reconciling presence to a world in need. We teach; we heal; we serve; we minister. Do you have a desire to share God’s great love with the Dear Neighbor?

Please visit us on our website or find us on Facebook: www.csjalbany.org.

See ad on page 109. Code #024.

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG Sisters of St. Joseph (S.S.J.)—Rochester, NY We are a religious community of women committed to the radical message of the gospel “that all may be one” Jn. 17:21 and strive to live as witnesses and bearers of the reconciling love of Jesus. We define our lives through prayer, community, and service in the company of our “neighbor” with compassion, creativity, and courage. We are called to do “any work a woman is capable of” in a struggling and hope-filled world. For more info call: 585-6418122 or e-mail: vocations@ssjrochester.org. We also invite volunteers to join us in our life of prayer, community, and service for an eleven month time of service through the Sisters of St. Joseph Volunteer Corps. Volunteers receive a stipend, health insurance and an AmeriCorps Education Award.For more info call: 585-733-4422 or e-mail: volunteercorps@ssjrochester.org.

See ad on page 109. Code #024.

Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis (SSJTOSF) The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis are a community of more than 300 Franciscan vowed religious women and associate members who are dedicated to gospel living. We are committed to building life-giving communities, empowering one another to live the truth of Gospel values, bonding with others in ever-widening circles of compassion and peace, and speaking from our common understanding that there be no outcasts in our experience of life on this earth. The missioned presence of the congregation continues today in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Peru and South Africa. For more information contact the Director of Vocation Ministry, P.O. Box 305, Stevens Point, WI 54481; (715) 341-8457; e-mail vocation@ssj-tosf.org; website www.ssj-tosf.org.

See our web ad at DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 110. Code #154.

Sisters of St. Rita (O.S.A.) The Sisters of St. Rita are an international active-contemplative community following the rule of St. Augustine and the example of St. Rita of Cascia, our patroness. We strive to live and love as Christ taught us, through

Enter #076 at VocationMatch.com St. Augustine’s guidance: “Daily advance, then, in this love, both by praying and by well-doing.”

Rejoicing in the gifts God has given each one of us, we minister where we are needed, faithfully following our founding mission of social and spiritual family care with all of its diverse ministries.

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him, the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement.” Do you, too, want to live in community, loving and seeking God through prayer and service? Then join us in this great adventure! Contact Sr. Angelica Summer, O.S.A., 4014 N. Green Bay Rd., Racine, WI 53404; (262) 639-1766; e-mail: sr.angelica@ sbcglobal.net; website: www.sistersofstrita.org.

Code #163.

Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (S.B.S.) We are a multiracial, multicultural community of 100 members who were founded by Saint Katharine Drexel. We share the Gospel message with the poor, especially among Black and Native American peoples and challenge the deeply rooted injustice in the world today through a life of prayer, community and service. The SBS are involved in education, parish ministry, religious instruction, social and health services, spiritual ministries and other ministries. We minister in the inner cities, rural areas, and Native American reservations. We’re located in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Georgia, and Jamaica. Vocation Director, 215-244-9900 ext.

327; www.katharinedrexel.org.

See ad on page 103. Code #076.

Sisters of the Divine Savior (SDS) Sisters of the Divine Savior are members of an international group of vowed religious women and men, and lay persons known as the Salvatorians. The Salvatorian Sisters were founded in Tivoli, Italy in 1888 by John Baptist Jordan and Therese von Wüllenweber. Our apostolic ministries include efforts to stop human trafficking, social work, counseling, law, art, pastoral care, education and health care. We carry out our mission to make known the goodness and kindness of Jesus in 28 countries, including the U.S. in Alabama, Arizona, California, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Women ages 20-50 can learn more about life in community with Sisters of the Divine Savior by contacting Sister Mary Lee Grady, SDS

at gradym@salvatoriansisters.org or 414-466-0810 ext. 229. www.sistersofthedivinesavior.org; www. facebook.com/sistersofthedivinesavior. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 47. Code #315.

Sisters of the Good Shepherd (RGS and CGS) are driven by a vow of zeal. We are an international congregation with communities in 73 countries. Our work is of God and our mission is one of reconciliation. We strive to model our lives after the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who left the flock of 99 to respond to the one sheep in special need. Our apostolic work centers on marginalized and hurting people who are affected by violence, abuse and neglect, most notably women, girls and children.

We are strong social justice advocates and have a seat on the United Nations Economic and Social Council, where we have joined others around the world to end human trafficking. Our contemplative ministry focuses on prayer to bring the liberating love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd to all of God’s people. Good Shepherd Sisters help others to transform their lives. It is thrilling and rewarding work. Apostolic Vocation Director: Sr. Jean Marie Fernandez, RGS, (415) 568-2822 or 415676-8251; e-mail: jmfrgs@gmail.com; Contemplative Director: Sr. Elizabeth Garciano, CGS, 314837-1719; e-mail: elgarcianocgs@yahoo.com.

Website: www.sistersofthegoodshepherd.com.

See ad on page 121. Code #077.

Sisters of the Holy Cross (C.S.C.) We, Sisters of the Holy Cross, are a dynamic international congregation of sisters who are part of the Holy Cross family of sisters, brothers, and priests founded by Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau. Striving to live out Jesus’ gospel and mission in the 21st century, we minister to people in eight countries on four continents. Compassion compels us to embrace others in their suffering and to address unmet needs as educators, health care workers, administrators, counselors, pastoral ministers, social workers, retreat leaders, writers, attorneys and social justice advocates. Through our consecrated life we promote right relationships wherever we serve. We invite you to make a difference in your world by sharing our life and mission. Sr. Helene Sharp, CSC, U.S. Vocation Director, 100 Lourdes Hall - Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, IN 46556; e-mail: vocations. us@cscsisters.org; website: www.cscsisters.org.

See ad on page 15. Code #269.

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Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace (C.S.J.P.) The Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace are an international community built on a rich heritage of promoting social justice as a way to peace. Our founding spirit calls us to further the work of peace, and our call to peacemaking pervades our prayer and leads us to a life of simplicity and service. In accord with our tradition we commit ourselves to promote peace in family life, in the church, and in society.

We minister in education, health and hospital services, religious education, parish ministry, social justice, spiritual direction, and peace ministry in the U.S., U.K., Haiti and El Salvador. Community life sustains us in ministry. Likewise ministry enlivens and enriches our life in community.

Recognizing gospel peace as both gift and task, we believe that prayer is fundamental to our life. We rely on the love and fidelity of God to lead us in the way of peace. Vocation Contact: Sr. Susan Francois, CSJP, Vocation Director, 399 Hudson Terrace, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632; (201) 6085401; e-mail: sfrancois@csjp.org; website: www. csjp.org.

See ad on page 32. Code #227.

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WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (C.S.F.N.) In a world marked by individualism, we choose family! Our lives, rooted in prayer and in the example of the Holy family of Nazareth, speak to the world about love, sacrifice, and true joy. Believing that charity begins at home, we create communities where lives are nurtured and shared. Empowered by this gift, we reach out to the Church and world through diverse ministries, striving to uphold the value and dignity of the human family. Founded in Rome in 1875 by Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, we are an international congregation, presently serving in the continental United States, Australia, Eastern and Western Europe, Ghana, Israel, and the Philippines. If God is knocking at your door today, come, knock on ours! For more information, contact our Vocation Director at tdonach@ nazarethcsfn.org; website: www.nazarethcsfn.org.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 163. Code #155.

Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) Responding to the needs of her day, Blessed Marie Rose Durocher founded our congregation in 1843 in Longueuil, QC, Canada.

Today Sisters and Associates are responding to the needs of our day as we continue to witness to God’s love. Prayer and community sustain us in our ministries. We are dedicated to the full development of the human person through education, social justice, contemplation, and the arts. Our ministries include: providing education in the faith, spiritual direction, and retreats; teaching in universities, schools, and tutoring centers; promoting peace and justice; and serving in parishes, hospitals, clinics, studios, prisons, and immigration centers. We minister in the United States, Canada, Lesotho, South Africa, Brazil, and Peru, collaborating wherever we are with others who share our Gospel values. E-mail: Sr. Mollie Reavis or Sr. Laura Michels at vocations@ snjmuson.org; U.S.-Ontario Province website: www.snjmusontario.org.

See ad on page 119. Code #078.

Sisters of the Holy Redeemer (C.S.R.) The Sisters of the Holy Redeemer are compelled to bring the healing presence and compassion of the Redeemer to those who suffer in body, mind and spirit. We strive to be witnesses to hope and joy as we serve Jesus in the most vulnerable. Our inspiration flows from our relationship with Jesus, our Redeemer as we follow the example of Mother Alphonse Maria Eppinger who founded the congregation 160 years ago on the principal that “Love of God and love of neighbor are but one single love.”

Through our sponsorship of the Holy Redeemer Health System, we provide health care, social services, and pastoral care, with a special emphasis on older adults, women and children. Contact us: American Province; Vocation Ministry Office, 1600 Huntingdon Pike, Meadowbrook, PA 19046; (215) 914-4109; e-mail: vocations@HolyRedeemer.com; website: www.SistersHolyRedeemer.org.

See ad on page 33. Code #079.

Sisters of the Humility of Mary (H.M.) As Sisters of the Humility of Mary, the heart of our commitment is a radical love and following of Jesus Christ.

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SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

prophetic presence in today’s world. Our founders responded to the needs of the time in 1854 in France with vision, courage and generosity, eventually emigrating to the Cleveland diocese in 1864. Today, we follow in their footsteps, dedicated to peacemaking, justice, and care for Earth through a variety of ministries in education, health care, social service, and pastoral ministry. We number 152 Sisters serving in Midwestern states, and Haiti. Others join us as Associates, HM Volunteers and Partners in Ministry. For more information: www.humilityofmary.org. Membership Office, 20015 Detroit Road, Rocky River, OH 44116, (440) 356-6130; e-mail: vocation@hmministry.org.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 156. Code #329.

Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament (I.W.B.S.)— Corpus Christi, TX We are called by Christ to extend His Incarnation in our world by the witness of our lives in community and by our service to others. We choose to contemplate and to be the human face of God’s love. We live together simply; celebrate Eucharist daily; share prayer, ministry, and community. We serve in the Dioceses of Corpus Christi, Brownsville and Beaumont. You will find us in elementary and secondary schools, in hospital pastoral care, in parishes and diocesan offices; as school administrators, as teachers, librarians, DRE’s, archivists, and writers; as artists, musicians, technology coordinators, as counselors, spiritual directors, and chaplains. We live that others may come to know and love Jesus, the warm, gracious Loving Person Who walked with people and lived in community with them. Visit us at www.iwbscc.org or at www.facebook.com/iwbscc.

See our ad on page 100. Code #274.

S i s t e r s o f t h e L i v i n g Wo r d ( S . L . W. ) Our community was founded in 1975, in response to the call for renewal in religious life at the Second Vatican Council. We focus our energies on situations where the Living Word of God needs to be spoken and reflected, to help free the oppressed and bring new life. We do this through education, pastoral care, parish ministry, spiritual direction, social work, creative arts, and more.

We invite generous and courageous women to join us in continuing to shape this new community. Check us out at our website, or come and meet us at a location near you. Or participate in a Living Word Retreat to experience our spirituality and passion for mission. For more information contact: Sr. Colette Fahrner, 800 N. Fernandez Ave.-B, Arlington Heights, IL 60004; (847) 577-5972; e-mail: cfahrner@slw. org; website: www.slw.org.

See ad on page 34. Code #173.

S i s t e r s o f t h e P re c i o u s B l o o d (C.PP.S.) For more than 175 years, the Sisters of the Precious Blood have served as unwavering witnesses to Christ’s redemptive, reconciling, and healing love, responding to the world’s urgent needs whenever and wherever it presents itself. The Sisters of the Precious Blood are united by a rich and active contemplative spirituality that is firmly rooted in Eucharistic prayer and devo-

tion to the Precious Blood of Jesus. We participate in ministries as diverse as the Sisters who engage in them. These ministries include health care, education, pastoral care, and outreach to name a few. Life as a Sister of the Precious Blood is for women who feel motivated to go beyond themselves. Sisters of the Precious Blood, 4000 Denlinger Rd., Dayton OH 45416. Phone: (937)837-3302. Learn more at www.PreciousBloodSistersDayton.org or vocations@cppsadmin.org. See our web ad at DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 47. Code #318.

Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (P.B.V.M.) Dubuque, IA Sisters of the Presentation of Dubuque are women religious inspired by the faith and life of their foundress, Nano Nagle. In 18th century Ireland, working against religious, political and economic oppression and with great personal risk, Nano launched an underground school system, visited the poor and elderly in their homes, and spent hours in prayer. Her charism of hospitality lives today in the sisters, associates and friends who reflect God’s love for the world, live the Gospel value of welcoming all, and carry Nano’s lantern of hope to people in the United States and Bolivia. Are you interested in making a difference? If yes, then, listen to the Spirit’s stirrings in your heart, ask for wisdom and pray for courage to take the next step. Visit: www.dubuquepresentations.org or contact the Vocation Office, 2360 Carter Rd., Dubuque, IA 52001; (563) 588-2008; e-mail: vocations@ dubuquepresentations.org.

Code #327.

Sisters of the Resurrection (C.R.) God called a mother and daughter to form a religious congregation of women immersed in the spirit of Jesus’ Resurrection. As Sisters of the Resurrection, we are women of prayer and of the church who believe deeply in the presence of the Risen Christ. We have given our lives to God in joy through a vowed commitment of chastity, poverty, and obedience. In our education and health care ministries, we strive to imitate the example of Jesus’ love, compassion, and concern for others. We believe that God continues to call women to live as Sisters of the Resurrection and we invite you to prayerfully consider whether this could be true for you.

New York Province: Sr. Teresa Grace, C.R., 35 Boltwood Avenue, Castleton, NY 12033; (518) 732-2226; e-mail: vocation@resurrectionsisters.org; website: www.resurrectionsisters.org.

Chicago Province: Sr. Kathleen Ann, C.R., 7432 W. Talcott Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631; (773) 792-6363; e-mail: callres1946@gmail. com; website: www.crsisterschicago.org.

See ad on page 20. Code #215.

Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi (S.S.M.) We are an international, multicultural congregation. We share in the mission of Jesus to bring fuller life to others by revealing God’s love for all, especially the poor. With Mary, the Sorrowful Mother, we strive to be a compassionate presence to those who suffer. Our main ministries include healthcare, education, youth ministry and related fields within those areas.

We serve the Lord in ten countries: the USA,

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

Austria, Italy, Germany, Tanzania, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, and Grenada. If you feel called to consecrate your life to the Lord by following St. Francis of Assisi and sharing your compassion with others, we invite you to contact us through our vocation website, www.becomingasister.org and filling out the self-quiz published on that site.

See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 30. Code #034.

Sisters of Transfiguration Hermitage We are a monastic, contemplative community, following the Rule of Benedict in a way of life which nurtures the love of God in solitude as well as in community.

Our life includes Liturgy of the Hours together as well as hours for personal prayer and lectio in solitude both morning and evening. We live by the work of our hands: making fruitcakes, jams, and other baked goods, and by writing, offering occasional workshops and retreats, and through the ministry of our small guest house.

Our 68 acres of gardens, fields, woods, and streams offers a solitary environment in which to attend to God’s presence. Firmly rooted in the monastic tradition, we are also open to the needs and aspirations of contemporary women who desire to seek God both in silence and solitude and in the daily life of the community of sisters. Transfiguration Hermitage, 205 Windsor Neck Rd., Windsor, ME 04363; (207) 4458031; e-mail: benedicite@fairpoint.net; website: www.transfigurationhermitage.org.

Code #367.

Society of Helpers (S.H.) The Helpers are an international community of women religious who have been urged by the love of Christ to respond to the challenges of the world by bringing hope to the human journey. We work in solidarity with the forgotten, those wounded in human dignity, those suffering injustice, those surviving without hope, those searching for God. We share with them in the life and death situations of the human situation moving towards fullness of life.

To learn more contact: Sr. Jean Kielty, (773) 405-

Enter #027at VocationMatch.com

9884; e-mail: jeankielty@yahoo.com or Sr. Anna Maria Baldauf, (312) 806-1884; e-mail: annamaria.baldauf@yahoo.com. For Spanish contact Sr. Dominga Zapata, (773) 343-8832; e-mail: mingaz37@att.net. Visit our website at www. helpers.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #223.

Society of the Holy Child Jesus—American Province (SHCJ) Founded by Cornelia Connelly, the Society of the Holy Child Jesus is an international community of women religious.

Our mission is to help others to believe that God lives and acts in them and in our world, and to rejoice in God’s presence. Our life of prayer and community strengthens us for diverse ministries. Since the Society’s founding in 1846, education has been at the heart of our mission. Today, we continue to serve as educators in the broadest sense of the word through ministries in teaching, spirituality, health care, social work, pastoral care, parish administration, and law. In the U.S., the Society sponsors 14 schools, including Rosemont College, and several social service organizations. Holy Child Sisters serve on four continents and in 13 states.

For more information, please contact: Anita Quigley, SHCJ; 1341 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 626-1400, ext. 304; e-mail: aquigley@shcj.org. Visit our website at www.shcj.org/american. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

See ad on page 51. Code #172.

Society of the Sacred Heart (R.S.C.J.) The Society of the Sacred Heart is an international community with more than 2100 members in 41 countries, many serving outside the land of their birth. Founded in 1800 by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, we continue her vision and mission in ever-evolving ways she could not have foreseen. We are committed to discovering and revealing God’s love in the world through education, working for justice and guiding lives in faith. Religious of the Sacred Heart serve in teaching and formation, in pastoral and spiritual work and in other ministries that promote justice and human development. Building relationships, creating community and fostering reconciliation are part of our vocation; prayer and contemplation are central to our lives. If

you are drawn to discover what it means to be at once “wholly contemplative and wholly apostolic,” we welcome you. Please visit www. rscj.org or contact Sr. Mary Pat White at 1-888844-7725 or vocations@rscj.org.

See ad on page 105. Code #027.

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Trappistine Cistercian Nuns (O.C.S.O.), Crozet, VA—Our Lady of the Angels Monastery Our way of Christian discipleship is a gospel life according to the teaching of the Church, the Rule of St. Benedict and the Constitutions of our Cistercian Trappist Order. Daily we celebrate the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours, and we also give time each day to meditation and adoration, sacred reading and study. The whole community works together in our means of self-support—the making of a fine quality cheese on our monastery farm. We also offer hospitality to retreatants in our guest cottages, and we exercise stewardship over our woodlands and cultivated fields here in the heart of Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. We invite single Catholic women between the ages of 20 and 40 to contact us through our website: www.olamonastery.org or by e-mail: vocations@olamonastery.org or by writing to: Vocation Director, Our Lady of the Angels, 3365 Monastery Drive, Crozet, VA 22932.

We look forward to welcoming you! See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappistine Cistercian Nuns (O.C.S.O.), Dubuque, IA—Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey Our monastic, contemplative life is one of community, and is based on the Rule of Saint Benedict. Our day revolves around Daily Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours, manual work, and spiritual reading (Lectio Divina). These continually call us to deeper conversion, love, and self-awareness as we grow in our relationship with Jesus and in our love for one another. We are located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, with 654 acres of rolling farm and woodlands. Check out our website. Women ages 18-39 may apply. Contact Sr. Myra Hill; Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, 8400 Abbey Hill Lane, Dubuque, IA 52003; (563) 582-2595, ext. 114; e-mail: vocations@olmabbey. org; website: www.mississippiabbey.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

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Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis (O.S.F.)—East Peoria, IL From fashion to physics, accounting to nursing, we come together from diverse backgrounds to serve Christ in the sick, the poor, the injured, the aged, and the dying. We are a small, Franciscan, apostolic community that gathers together daily for the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, and Rosary. We own and operate OSF HealthCare, which includes 11 hospitals, a children’s hospital, home care, hospice, physician practices, and colleges of nursing. Our sisters serve in many different ways within our healthcare ministry. From the words and legacy of Mother Frances we know what God asks of us, to care for everyone He sends to us, turning no one away, and to serve them with the greatest care and love. Contact: Sr. Rose Therese, O.S.F., 740 NE Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, IL 61603; (309) 655-2645; e-mail: vocation.info@osfhealthcare.org; web: franciscansisterspeoria.org; facebook: /OSFsisters; twitter: @osfsisters.See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #081.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES

Trappistine Cistercian Nuns (O.C.S.O.), Sonoita, AZ—Santa Rita Abbey The mountains surround us, as the monastic way of life surrounds and fosters our contemplative longing to behold the face of God, and so minister to all God’s people. We live out the call to close union with Christ in simplicity, community, liturgy, joy and prayer. Are you being invited by the Spirit into this School of Charity that is the Cistercian Way? Sr. Victoria Murray welcomes your questions at Santa Rita Abbey, 14200 E Fish Canyon Road, Sonoita, AZ 85637-6545; e-mail: sracommty@gmail.com; website: www.santaritaabbey.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

Trappistine Cistercian Nuns (O.C.S.O.), Whitehorn, CA—Redwoods Monastery Our monastic roots began in France in 1098 by Benedictines, who desiring a God-centered life, embraced the values of simplicity, poverty, silence, continual prayer and personal transformation. They sought and found God in the ordinary experience of daily living, nurturing the centrality of love as they grew in union with Christ. Redwoods Monastery makes this spiritual heritage available today through the communal practices of the Divine Office, daily Eucharist, divine reading and study, meditation and prayer, manual labor, and hospitality to guests.

We are located on 300 acres of old growth redwood forest in Northern California and are deeply committed to preserving our forests, rivers, and wildlife.

If you are a single Catholic woman, between 22 and 40 with 2 years of college or work experience and desire our way of life, please contact Sr. Suzanne; e-mail: vocationdirector@redwoodsabbey.org; website: www.redwoodsabbey.org; blog: www. redwoodsabbey.blogspot.com; or write, Vocation Director, Redwoods Monastery, 18104 BricelandThorn Rd., Whitehorn, CA 95589; (707) 986-7419.

See our web ad at www.VocatonNetwork.org.

Code #369.

Trappistine Cistercian Nuns (O.C.S.O.), Wrentham, MA—Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey Our order is a monastic Order wholly directed to contemplation. We are dedicated to the worship of God in a life that is hidden, obscure and laborious within the monastery and under the Rule of St. Benedict.

In this school of love, the nuns grow in humility and self-knowledge. Through the discovery of the depths of God’s mercy in their lives, they will learn to love. The various elements of Cistercian conversatio, such as obedience, humility, ascesis, solitude and silence, lead, each in its own way, to the interior freedom through which purity of heart and an abiding attention to God are attained. It is in the particular and delicate balance of lectio divina, liturgy, and work, that the Cistercian charism most directly manifests itself. Women between 20 and 40 may apply. We are located at 300 Arnold Street, Wrentham, MA 02093. Please contact Sister Katie McNamara; e-mail: s.katie@ msmabbey.org; website: www.msmabbey.org. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #415.

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Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland (O.S.U.) We are religious women who are called to live Gospel values. We were founded by St. Angela Merici, whose vision led her to serve the Church and to be an instrument of change in her world. We value contemplation in our commitment to personal 106 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

SEARCH WOMEN’S COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

and communal prayer. We stand for justice in our commitment to those oppressed and exploited, especially women and children; while strongly choosing to make efforts in effecting systemic change. We value compassion in helping to relieve suffering and provide hope. Today, imitating St. Angela, we minister in our sponsored institutions as well as other educational institutions. We serve as directors of religious education, spiritual directors, pastoral ministers. We serve in healthcare facilities and retirement homes; as social service providers in collaborative outreach programs; as well as serving in the ministry of prayer.

We minister primarily in the Greater Cleveland area. For information, contact Sister Ann Letitia, 2600 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, OH 44124. (440) 449-1200 ext. 138; e-mail: aletitia@ursulinesisters. org; website: www.ursulinesisters.org.

Code #311.

Ursuline Sisters of Louisville (O.S.U.) Founded in 1858, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville strive to live the charism of St. Angela Merici: a contemplative love of God and a resulting openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others. Our vowed life is sustained by prayer and community as we change with the times striving to meet the needs around us. Our ministries include teaching on all levels, parish ministry, social justice, working with the poor and the elderly, ministry to women and children and a variety of others.

We serve in Kentucky, Nebraska, Iowa, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and have a mission in Peru. We also sponsor Sacred Heart Schools located on our scenic campus in suburban Louisville. We offer opportunities for spiritual development through the Angela Merici Center and the Associate Program. Vocation Ministry, 3105 Lexington Rd., Louisville, KY 40206; (502) 8963948; fax: (502) 896-3914; e-mail: jpeterworth@ ursulineslou.org; website: www.ursulineslou.org.

Code #265.

Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph (O.S.U.) We are Ursuline Sisters proclaiming Jesus through education and Christian formation, committed to “freeing and nurturing women and children.” Founded in 1874 in western Kentucky, our congregation embraces the core values of Prayer, Service, Empowerment, Justice, and Contemplative Presence, in the spirit of our founder, Saint Angela Merici. We minister in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Louisiana, New Mexico, New York, Washington, D.C., and Chile, South America.

Our focus is in four areas: education, from primary grades to college; church ministry; social outreach and justice advocacy with the poor, children, elderly, immigrants and the homeless; and ministries of body, mind and spirit. We sponsor Brescia University and offer opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection at the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center. More than 400 Ursuline Associates join us in prayer and ministry.

Vocations: Contact Sister Julia Head, (270) 2292002; e-mail: vocations.msj@maplemount.org; 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.

Visit us at www.ursulinesmsj.org.

Code #222.

Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union U.S. Provinces (O.S.U.) The Ursulines were the first religious women in what is now the

United States, arriving in New Orleans in 1727. We have been serving God’s people here continuously since that time. Like our foundress, St. Angela Merici, Ursulines believe that every day is a journey toward God. We seek to be faithful to a daily rhythm of contemplation, community life and ministry. We dare to confront the oppression of women and to stand in solidarity with the poor. We fulfill our mission in varied works by helping people recognize and develop their gifts for the service of others. For information, please contact: Sr. Jean Hopman, OSU, sjeanosu@gmail.com, (773) 844-0950; Sr. Elisa Ryan, OSU, elisaosu@ gmail.com, (314) 825-9773; www.usaosu.org; backlitwithjoy.wordpress.com.

Code #218.

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Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis (VHM) As Sisters of the Visitation of Minneapolis, founded in 1989, we are monastic/contemplative women who are present in the inner city to Live Jesus.

We are part of a multicultural community sharing prayer, hope and God’s blessings with our neighborhood people--while receiving their blessedness. Our urban monastery is part of the worldwide Order of the Visitation Sisters of Holy Mary, founded by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal in Annecy, France, in 1610.

We offer a variety of engagements for persons to respond to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to Live Jesus in an urban setting:•Vowed Religious life; •Yearly internship opportunities for young adults to live and volunteer in the city; •Immersion experiences designed for women drawn to live in a monastic setting for six months to a year;•Visitation Companion lay community – for those committed to living Salesian spirituality wherever they reside;•Resident Visitation lay community in north Minneapolis. Contact Sister Katherine Mullin at Katherinefmullin@ gmail.com or call 612-521-6113. Visit our website at www.visitationmonasteryminneapolis.org or fb and follow us on twitter.

Code #086.

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Wheaton Franciscans The Wheaton Franciscans are the United States province of an international congregation, the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. We are a community of vowed women (Sisters) and covenant (associate) women and men, whose mission is to live the Gospel following the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, and our foundress Mother M. Clara Pfaender. Through loving presence and service we foster personal and community growth as we respond to the needs of the church and the times. As Wheaton Franciscans we are committed to living Gospel values as co-creators in the Christ mystery. We believe that through an open and grateful heart we are blessed and become a presence of blessing. There are various ways of deepening a relationship with our Community. Contact Sr. Melanie Paradis; mparadis@ wheatonfranciscan.org or Jeanne Connolly; jconnolly@wheatonfranciscan.org; 26W171 Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187-0667; (630) 909-6600. We invite you to learn more about us on our website at www.wheatonfranciscan.org.

Code #087.

SEARCH OTHER COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

ASSOCIATE COMMUNITIES Associate Community of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ We are baptized men and women who make a non-vowed renewable covenant with the Associate Community in the Spiritual Family of Catherine Kasper for the purpose of mutual spiritual enrichment, development of community and promotion of service. Our commitment is based on the common call of the Holy Spirit to live the charism of Blessed Catherine Kasper, foundress of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Congregation. The Associates, Fiat Spiritus Community and Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ form the Spiritual Family of Catherine Kasper. Website: www. poorhandmaids.org/associates. See our web ad at www.VocationNetwork.org.

Code #049.

NEW COMMUNITIES OF CONSECRATED LIFE

RESOURCES Global Sisters Report Global Sisters Report is an online reporting project that tells the stories of and gives greater voice to Catholic sisters around the world. Through its network of journalists around the world as well as blogs and columns from sisters themselves, Global Sisters Report chronicles the contributions of sisters as a force for human development. Visit the website at GlobalSistersReport.org and our Facebook page at Facebook.com/SistersReport.

Do you know of an interesting Catholic sister, community or project we should write about?

Please contact us at info@GlobalSistersReport. org. See our web ad at DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 149. Code #476.

National Catholic Reporter Established in 1964, National Catholic Reporter (NCR) began as a newspaper and is now a print and online news source that stands as one of the few truly independent journalistic outlets for Catholics. We connect Catholics to church, faith and the common good with independent news, analysis and spiritual reflection,

SECULAR INSTITUTES Don Bosco Volunteers (DBV) Don Bosco Volunteers are consecrated lay women living the Salesian spirituality of Saint John Bosco, (Don Bosco), while fully immersed in the ordinary occupations and careers of secular society. We participate in the evangelizing mission of the Church by witnessing Christian joy and service especially to young people and those most in need. We do not live in community but share communion of life through prayer, Days of Recollection and a yearly retreat. Founded in 1917 by Blessed Philip Rinaldi, Don Bosco Volunteers are a Secular Institute of Pontifical Right for single Catholic women who are consecrated to God through the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience while maintaining their lay status within the Church and the world.

Candidates must be women who have never married, be between the ages of 21-40 and who want to dedicate their life in a radical way to love of God and neighbor. Members follow a formation plan of discernment and preparation for vows, six years of temporary vows, then perpetual vows. Contact information: PO Box 334H, Scarsdale, NY 10583-5834; e-mail: seculardbv@aol.com.

Code #360.

Secular Institute of Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ (SIM) Consecrated single women who profess poverty, chastity and obedience while living life in the world.

Our spirituality is Franciscan and through its ideals the Missionaries seek growth and maturity by identifying with Jesus’ life and mission by striving faithfully to live the Gospel in the world in the spirit of the Beatitudes. A close bond is created among the members through monthly days of recollection, annual retreats, publications, correspondence, phone contact, e-mail and the web site members section. Requirements are: women desiring to commit to a celibate life, a prayer life seeking to grow in the love of Christ, a desire to promote Gospel values in today’s society, a self-supporting occupation, and the freedom to live our way of life. Historical Information: The Institute was founded in 1919 in Assisi, Italy, by Agostino Gemelli, OFM, and Armida Barelli. Approved in 1948 as a Secular Institute of Pontifical Rite.

Established in the United States in 1953 by Fr. Stephen Hartdegen, OFM, and Barbara Ottinger. For more information contact: Charleen Dahlin, (508) 386-1417; e-mail: cdahlin@aol. com; web site: www.simkc.org.

See our ad on page 117. Code #337.

United States Conference of Secular Institutes (USCSI) The United States Conference of Secular Institutes is an association of all the Secular Institutes in the United States. Its mission is to provide education, resources, and support for member institutes, and to assist inquirers in finding the Secular Institute that is right for them. USCSI is committed to making known, understood, and appreciated the call to consecrated secularity in the Catholic Church.

Total consecration to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, celibate chastity, and obedience is the hallmark of all Secular Institutes. Institutes are for single women or for single men, and some are for diocesan priests.

It is the newest and fastest-growing vocation in the Church today. For more information see www.secularinstitutes.org. Inquirers may be helped by writing to or talking with Sharon K. Lewis, Vocation Committee, 26673 Franklin Pointe Drive, Southfield, MI 48034-5615; (248) 352-8425; e-mail: sklewis@comcast.net.

Code #147.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Catholic Volunteer Network Catholic Volunteer Network connects passionate volunteers with dynamic programs serving around the world to foster and promote domestic and international faith-based volunteer service opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and skills. As the leading membership organization of Christian volunteer and mission programs, Catholic Volunteer Network supports and enhances the work of member organizations through volunteer recruitment, training and resources, networking opportunities and advocacy.

Established in 1963, the Catholic Volunteer Network membership consists of over 200 domestic and international volunteer and lay mission programs. Each year more than 20,000 volunteers and lay missioners serve in these programs throughout the U.S. and in 112 other countries. Catholic Volunteer Network publishes and distributes RESPONSE, the most comprehensive handbook of lay mission volunteer opportunities. RESPONSE is distributed free of charge to persons interested in faith-based service and those who promote such service. Find us online at www.

CatholicVolunteerNetwork.org.

See our ad on page 155. Code #483.

UK/IRISH COMMUNITIES Find UK and Irish Communities online through our community search or in our digital edition of Vision: www.digitalvocationguide.org.

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Fiat Spiritus Community (FS) We are a community of vowed Christian men and women who are committed to living an apostolic life.

We are called to listen to the Holy Spirit through community which empowers us to discern our response to the needs of our time especially with the needy and underserved. The Fiat Spiritus Community, together with the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and Associate Community, live the Spirit of Blessed Catherine Kasper our foundress. Contact: Brother Bob Overland, FS, P.O. Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513; (574) 936-1726; e-mail: boverland@poorhandmaids.org; website: www.fiatspiritus.org. See our web ad at www.

VocationNetwork.org.

Code #049.

and we operate out of the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. NCR is committed to providing a forum for open and informed discussion on Church issues by concerned people of faith.

It is an essential tool for American Catholics who care about the church and want to further its mission in the world. National Catholic Reporter, 115 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111; 800-333-7373; Web Site: NCRonline.org. Caitlin Hendel (CEO/President), Thomas C. Fox (Publisher), Dennis Coday (Editor), Stephanie Yeagle (Managing Editor).

See our web ad at DigitalVocationGuide.org.

See ad on page 58. Code #493.

OTHER COMMUNITIES

SISTERS

SISTER COLLEEN GIBSON, S.S.J. (with her friend Elyse Raby) believes that single life and religious life each have their own gifts and challenges; each is a unique vocation with its own unique aspects.

Why being single and living as a sister aren’t the same

by Sister Colleen Gibson, S.S.J.

Sister Colleen Gibson, S.S. J. is assistant director of campus ministry at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.

Author of the blog Wandering in Wonder, beingmyvocation. blogspot.com, she is a regular columnist for Global Sisters Report, a contributor to Take Five for Faith, and has published articles in America, Commonweal, and Give Us This Day.

How living as a sister—instead of a committed single person—helps one young woman be her best self.

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HEN I TOLD PEOPLE I was thinking about becoming a religious sister, they asked me the same questions: Why did I feel called? Why religious life? Or just plain, Why? And once I told them about my desire to grow in my relationship with God, to serve others, and to live a radical life of intention in line with the gospel, the inevitable questions were: Why become a sister? Couldn’t you do all those things as a committed single woman?

Yes, I could have done all of those things as a committed single woman. I realized this as I discerned, so the bigger question for me was: What exactly is the difference between a committed single life and a vowed religious one?

The answer to that question is more complex than simple statements. It digs

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deep into the nature of call and vocation, uncovering who we are and what call truly means. Single life and religious life, after all, are both calls.

Before we can look at how the two are different, it is helpful to understand what they have in common.

As Christians, we are called to live out our faith. The lives we lead reflect the love of Christ, and our vocations are the way in which we are most called to share that love with the world. Our true vocation enables us to be our most genuine selves as God created us to be.

The people who questioned me about why I was becoming a sister rather than staying single had my best interests in mind. I could do everything I sought to do as a Enter #221 at VocationMatch.com

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Single life and religious life each have their own gifts and challenges; each is a unique vocation with its own unique aspects.

Communal life

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committed single woman, but they missed one key point: discernment of a vocation is about more than you.

Vocation is about you and God—your deepest desires and God’s deepest desires for you. Discernment is about discovering those desires in relationship with God and naming

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what gives fullest life to that relationship. You don’t become a sister because of a lack of options, just as you ideally don’t remain single because nothing better has come along.

You commit yourself to a way of life based on how your relationship with Christ calls you.

Life lived in community is one of the primary differences between a vowed religious life and a committed single one. Community is key to religious life. It encourages growth spiritually, individually, and interpersonally.

Sisters live in community so they can bring communion to the world.

Communal life helps support a lifestyle of prayer. Prayer is essential to every vocation, and for me as a vowed religious, prayer is the grounding force of my vocation.

Shared prayer brings my religious community together at various times throughout the day to pray. Each religious order of sisters has its own style and manner of praying, but across congregations we all share an understanding that you can’t live a vowed religious life without personal and communal prayer. My community grows together and in relationship with God through prayer.

As we support one another in prayer, community life helps us foster the radical call to Christian discipleship lived out by vowed religious.

We hold one another accountable. As a sister, I am continually challenged and learning to live in union and love—not only as I serve those most in need but with those closest to me, the sisters with whom I live.

Religious must learn to live together and strive to follow Christ’s

Your Mission ~ to work for the transformation of the world by awakening and deepening faith with and for the people of our times.

“

The lives we lead reflect the love of Christ, and our vocations are the way in which we are most called to share that love with the world.

Your Life ~ prayer, community, and a ministry of helping others deepen their relationship with God through retreats, spiritual direction, and adult faith formation.

we’re waiting for teachings together, just like the first disciples did. Each person in a community brings her own personality, and that is one of the gifts and struggles of religious life. On our best days, communal life is a blessing; on more difficult days—when someone is in a bad mood, or when you find yourself criticized, or when a house meeting runs long—community provides opportunities for growth. We witness to the patience, trust, and compassion to which Jesus calls us.

Living together, we support and challenge one another through the joys and sorrows of life. Community provides my sisters and me with companions for the journey. We are not family, yet living in community gives us the opportunity to live intentionally through shared decisions regarding what it means to live lives V14pp131-172.indd 174 of simplicity, service, and prayer as a group.

Such decisions and communal living are based on two things: our charism and our vows.

you!

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Charism and vows Every congregation of sisters has a

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“Let me be as soft wax in Your hands! Do with me what You will.” -Bl. PvM

commitments, a sister vows to live a life according to the “evangelical counsels” (or vows) of chastity, poverty, and obedience. These vows help define religious life. In poverty, chastity, and obedience, I give my life completely to God, witnessing to something greater than myself, affirming my sole reliance on God. The vows reflect the way sisters are called to live and love. In poverty, we choose to live simply, proclaiming our dependence on God alone for all we truly need in life. In chastity, we declare the only love to which we are truly given is that of God—a love from which all other love comes.

And in obedience, we vow to listen attentively to the call of God and the ways in which the Spirit is active in our lives, communities, and the world.

Public witness to faith

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unique charism (i.e. the manner in which a group lives out its gospel call). From Franciscan Sisters to Sisters of Saint Joseph, Adorers of the Precious Blood to Handmaids of the Sacred Heart, each community brings its own unique flavor to how its members live the gospel, unit-

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ing them in their life as religious sisters.

Just as charism unites sisters in community, publicly professed vows ground and distinguish our lives through our public witness to the gospel. While a woman living a single life may make her own

The public profession of vows is lived by sisters daily. Having the title “Sister” before your name makes you a public witness to the faith. You are a public representative of the church, your congregation, and faith in action at every moment.

This is true whether a sister wears a distinctive habit or not. Being a sister is different from being a committed single woman in the manner in which you are called to witness. As a sister, my life is consecrated to God. In my work as a campus minister, I am called upon almost every day by students and

“

Having the title “Sister” before your name makes you a public witness to the faith.

others to share about my faith and my story. I must remember that I am a face of God for many and that the vows I have made publicly declare the sole importance of my relationship with Jesus in my life. This commitment holds me accountable to who I declare to be and calls me to authenticity in all that I do.

The greatest freedom From time to time, I still get the question of why I became a sister rather than committing myself to single life. “Surely, you would be freer,” the argument goes. In a way, I would. Free from the structures of community, I could do what I want.

Without vows, I could live on my own terms. Obedient to God’s will for my life alone, I could focus on specific projects without having to consider a congregation.

All of this is true; I could still live my faith, love God, and witness to something greater as a single woman. Yet for me, being true to myself is the greatest freedom there is, and I am most truly myself as a sister. To the question of why, my answer is: “My whole life.” =

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School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King

Build the Kingdom of God through lives of: ♦ Gospel Community in Franciscan simplicity ♦ Living Prayer that animates our spirits ♦ Active Compassion expressed in a variety of ministries

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SISTERS

SISTER SANDRA Lyons, O.S.F. (far left) and Sister Carolyn Muus, O.S.F. (far right) in front of the Bernardine Center with Nicole and Marten, two people who shared in a brunch at the center.

Feeding the poor enriches the lives of sisters

by Kate Oatis

Kate Oatis is owner of Oatis Communications and has written for National Catholic Reporter. She is the former features editor for the Catholic Chronicle in Toledo, Ohio. She can be contacted at kaoatis@ yahoo.com.

For two Bernardine Franciscan sisters, vocation has led to a long, rich life of service and prayer.

M

OST PEOPLE ARRIVE to the Bernardine Center in Chester, Pennsylvania looking for help. Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Sandra Lyons and Carolyn Muus arrive there each day to give it.

Chester, part of the second-hungriest congressional district in the country, is home to the center, which offers supplemental meals and programs to low-income individuals and families. The sisters also provide classes on anger management, nutrition, and parenting. Their bigger work, though, is in food distribution. Lyons and Muus are the center’s director and hospitality coordinator, respectively.

The sisters provide nine days of meals per month—27 meals—to each fam-

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LYONS DISTRIBUTES certificates to people who have completed the Bernardine Center’s anger management classes.

ily member they serve. On average, that’s 650 individuals a month and a total of more than 17,000 meals.

The meals are meant to be a supplement, not a family’s only food source, Lyons says. “People with low incomes can’t afford food for a whole month so we’re helping them.”

Dedication to poor Helping people is something Lyons discovered she wanted to do back in high school in Philadelphia. She didn’t know it at the time, but her ninth-grade teacher, Bernardine Franciscan Sister Rose MacDermott, had a big effect on her. Lyons’ call to religious life was first awakened and nurtured by her teacher’s life of service, particularly her social justice and peace ministry.

The “spark” of a religious calling grew, Lyons says. “When Sister asked me if I’d ever thought of be-

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“

The center is advocating for people who’ve had a lot of barriers put up for them.”

coming a sister, I listened. It became a possibility.”

It wasn’t until she was a highschool senior in Hawaii, however, that Lyons told her parents during a discussion about college that she planned to join the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, then based in Radnor, Pennsylvania.

“They were so surprised, they about dropped their teeth. They sent my siblings away from the dinner table to talk to me,” Lyons says. “They had thought, as I had for a long time, that I wanted to become a mother and have lots of children. That was

MUUS PICKS fresh produce from the center’s garden.

a reasonable expectation because Dad was in the Navy and Mom was at home and I was the oldest of five children.”

Lyons recently celebrated her 50-year Jubilee as a sister, and it’s still evident to her that becoming a

MUUS and volunteers prepare hoagies for a meal.

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sister was the right decision. Helping Lyons discern her vocation wasn’t MacDermott’s only gift. She also founded the Bernardine Center in 1986, and Lyons became director in 2007, several years after the older sister retired.

“Rose was dedicated to the poor,” Lyons says. “When she started the Bernardine Center as a food pantry, it was an expression of her dedication to social justice. Most of our other ministries are in education

and health care. This was a justice tangent, which resonated with me.”

The Bernardine Franciscans provide some financial support to the center. Other support comes from donations from churches and individuals and in-kind donations of food.

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AT A WOMEN’S Empowerment Dinner, two attendees receive Peace Doves for their windows at home. The Bernardine Center’s Women’s Peace Empowerment Initiative promotes personal and community peacemaking in one’s daily activities through peer support, prayer, and discussion.

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MUUS and a volunteer prepare a meal at the Bernardine Center.

grams that will help lift them out of poverty,” she says.

Lyons is also the chairperson for the Delaware County Interfaith Food Assistance Network, of which the center is a member. “We send letters to food stores to get donations and we request that they donate food to a local pantry in the area rather than to the big centers in Philadelphia,” she says.

Nurturing her own spirituality with prayer is as important to her as

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helping the poor. “After my shower and coffee each morning, I sit down for a 30-minute reflection and then my breviary prayers,” she says. “It gives me a grounding for the day. As the day progresses, I hope I can be receptive to whatever comes to me and to be available to people.”

Prayerful ministry Service and relying on prayer to sustain her are also essential to Sister

“

When I am serving people, they are God in disguise. When we open the door for brunch, we are letting the Lord in.”

Carolyn Muus, the Bernardine Center’s hospitality coordinator.

“My whole day is a prayer,” Muus says. “When I am serving people, they are God in disguise. When we open the door for brunch, which we offer three times a week, we are letting the Lord in. Without prayer, it is nothing. The people are Christ. We let them in with that intention.”

Muus was raised Methodist in Liberia and has been a sister for 52 years. As a student at the Bernardine

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Franciscans’ boarding school in Liberia, she became very impressed by the mother general, whom she remembers as being very kind.

“I told her I wanted to be like her,” Muus says. “I was just so impressed with how the sisters interacted with each other and with the kindness they showed me when I had a problem.”

Muus’ mother was Liberian and her father Danish. “My mother did not want me to become a Catholic,” she says, but “I wouldn’t give it up.

As I grew older, I would explore why I became a sister and why I stayed in the community and understood that God wanted me for something.”

Today, that “something” is serving the young, old, men, women, and children who walk through the door at the center. “You need to respect them and not preach to them.

We offer them hospitality. We don’t make them pray before they eat. We show them respect,” she says.

Living in community provides Muus with opportunities for communal prayer. “We make time in the morning for prayers together and for private prayers. Some of the sisters I live with now taught me in Liberia.

It is amazing what God has in store for each of us,” she says.

Muus is glad she lives relatively close—just 90 minutes away—from her community’s motherhouse in Reading, Pennsylvania. “We all get together for fundraisers, community days, elections, and other events and celebrations.”

When she was a young woman, yearning to become Catholic and to serve God as a Bernardine Franciscan, Muus says she did not know, of course, what the future held for her

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LYONS (at left) with a graduate of the Super Cupboard Program, offered by the Bernardine Center.

Super Cupboard educates and provides peer support to parents of young children who frequently use food pantries. They learn nutrition, food preparation, food budgeting, and other life skills.

or what God had in mind for her.

About people today discerning their calls to religious life, she says, “They have to just keep listening to the call and God will do the rest. They should just do their best and leave the success to God.”

Blessing of service Today, nearly 30 years after its founding, the Bernardine Center is blessing the people it serves through meals, classes, and programs. And it’s blessing the women who serve there.

Lyons is committed to making her ministry a prayerful priority. “I’m on a hospital board that wanted to meet on Tuesday mornings once a

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“

Each evening, I review the day to see if there was anything I could have done better.”

month,” Lyons says. “I couldn’t do it because of my prayer time, so I said no. I try to be physically and psychologically present to what I’m doing.

And each evening, I review the day to see if there was anything I could have done better.”

As for Muus, she is grateful and pleased to have taken her own advice about doing one’s best and leaving the success to God because today she says, “I am very happy. God has blessed me.” =

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PRIESTS FATHER JOHN HERMAN, C.S.C. gives a blessing to one of his flock during a Mass.

Starting the week off right

by Father John Herman,

C.S.C.

PHOTOS BY JOSÉ RODRIGUEZ

Fa t h e r J o h n Herman, C.S.C. was ordained in 1995. He is a Holy Cross priest and pastor of Our Most Holy Mother of the Light Parish in Mexico.

After 20 years of being a priest, Sunday-morning celebration of the Eucharist never gets old for this pastor. He loves even the challenges of being present to all his parishioners.

I

LOVE BEING A HOLY CROSS PRIEST. I give thanks to God every day for calling me to the priesthood in the Congregation of Holy Cross, especially because this was not my original plan. In college I was certain that I would be a civil engineer one day and be married with a wife and several children.

One of the things that I love best about my life as a priest and pastor is Sunday mornings. My parish is la Parroquia de Nuestra Madre Santísma de La Luz, or in English, Our Most Holy Mother of the Light Parish, in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, México. After 20 years of being a priest, Sunday mornings and the celebration of

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Be

Paulist seminarians gather with Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of the Diocese of Austin (middle left) after the ordination of Father Jimmy Hsu, CSP, (middle right). (Photo/Bruce Byers)

Are you a MAN on a MISSION? Join us on ours ...

Evangelization

Downloa do mobile a ur pp!

Reaching out to those who have not heard the Gospel

Reconciliation Bringing peace to those who feel distanced from God or the Church

Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue Seeking unity with all God's people.

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the Eucharist still have never gotten old. I love it all!

Being present I started in parish ministry as a deacon at St. John Vianney Parish in Goodyear, Arizona, with Father Joe Corpora, C.S.C. as my pastor and mentor. I learned many things from

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him during the four years we were together. One of the most valuable things that I learned was the importance of being present before and after the weekend Masses to greet and interact with parishioners. He taught me that it’s the one time each week that we can be, even briefly, with most of the people of the parish. Although offering this kind of

“

Being present before and after our Sunday Masses is one of the best possible ways for us to show the people that we care for them and are there for them.

presence can be tiring, I enjoyed it from my very first days in parish ministry.

Many people aren’t part of groups or ministries that meet during the week. Most don’t or can’t come to daily Mass, but many will come to Mass on Sundays. Being present before and after our Sunday Masses is the best possible way to get a sense of what’s going on with our people and one of the best possible ways for us to show the people that we care for them and are there for them. Frequently, it’s the time

HERMAN TAKES TIME for a “photo op” with children who have made their First Communion.

when people will ask me to hear their confession or ask for a blessing before they have surgery. Practically, as well, it’s often also the best way to take care of things face-to-face with parishioners that might otherwise require a phone call or a visit during the week. But most of all, I simply enjoy being with the people.

Getting to know people One of the challenges that I have faced in being present to the people is the size of La Luz Parish. We have our main church and four chapels and a population of nearly 35,000 people within our parish boundaries—most of whom are Catholic and many of whom, unfortunately, don’t attend Sunday Mass. (Yes, we’re working on that all of the time!)

Unfortunately, I’m not able to be in each place every Sunday, neither to celebrate each Mass nor to greet the people before and after. I only

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see many of them once a month, which makes it more difficult to have continuity with them and learn their names. I’ve seen from the beginning how much learning names means to people, so I have to work even harder here to do it. I’m frequently embarrassed to have to ask certain people their names over and over before it finally sticks. I enjoy joking

with the women whose names I don’t know by simply saying, “Maria?!”

I’m right half of the time here when I do that!

We’re in it together I feel blessed that I’m not here alone at La Luz and our four chapels.

This is a ministry of our Holy Cross

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community and there are four other Holy Cross priests as well as Holy Cross sisters who serve here as well.

There’s no way that I could preside at our four Saturday evening and 12 Sunday Masses every week. Sundays are very busy for all of us, but I don’t mind because I know how important these celebrations of the Eucharist are for our people.

In fact, it’s a great privilege and blessing to be able to celebrate the Eucharist with and for the people of La Luz Parish. I don’t feel worthy of this blessing in so many ways. Me, a sinner, preaching the gospel and praying the words of institution and calling down the Holy Spirit to change simple gifts of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus? Nonetheless, God has called me to this, and now here I am, serving in northern Mexico.

FIRST COMMUNIONS (above) are always important celebrations for Herman.

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JOSÉ RODRIGUEZ

HERMAN LEADS a Palm Sunday procession (below).

As Catholics, we believe, as the Second Vatican Council told us, that the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.”

Sunday Mass offers us all the opportunity to encounter Christ in a profound way in the Eucharist and to be strengthened by Him in our efforts to live our faith with joy, gratitude, and fidelity.

Unified at Eucharist One thing that helps me feel very grounded in celebrating the Eucharist here is the connection that I’ve developed with the people after being here for more than four years.

I see Imelda out there and know that she’s suffering greatly from the sudden, tragic death of her daughter. I see Oscar and Marta, who are expectantly and anxiously awaiting the birth of their child after recently suffering a very painful miscarriage.

I see Alfonso and know how he is struggling to turn away from sin and be faithful to God and know how important the Eucharist is for him in doing so. I see Santiago and Norma, who are on fire for their faith after they were required to attend a retreat as parents of a child who would be confirmed and to their surprise had a powerful and life-changing encounter with Christ. I see Gregorio, who’s struggling to find a job that will allow him to support his family. I see David, who is discerning a possible vocation to religious life and priesthood in Holy Cross with a mixture of excitement, anxiety, and wonder.

All of our people bring who they are and what’s in their minds and hearts to our celebration of the Eucharist. I do as well. Somehow we are all drawn more closely

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together in the Body of Christ through what we celebrate together each Sunday in the Eucharist.

Through the grace of God, we’re also drawn more closely to the kingdom of God through our participation in the sacrifice of Jesus in the Eucharist.

I love Sundays, not because it’s the day for NFL football (I’ve often

suffered through Sundays as a Detroit Lions fan!) or because a family will likely invite me to their home for carne asada for a birthday celebration or because it’s the day for free rides here on the Metro. I love Sundays because we all get to come together and encounter Christ in our celebration of the Eucharist.

Does it get any better than this? =

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PRIESTS

Josephites have a dream

PHOTO BY JOSEPH C. RAZZA, S.S.J.

For nearly a century and a half, Josephite priests and brothers have served the African-American community through education and pastoral care.

F JOSEPHITE PRIESTS and their parishioners took part in the historic 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, an important event in the civil-rights movement. It was during this march that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I have a dream” speech. The men in the background wearing clerical collars are Josephites.

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ROM THEIR BEGINNING in 1871, Josephite priests and brothers ministered exclusively to African Americans. They are the only men’s religious community with this singular mission.

An interracial, intercultural community, their members are black and white, American-born and African-born. There are 78 Josephites who serve in 41 parishes and four schools in several states. In addition, they run the Josephite Pastoral Center, an education, publishing, and research ministry in Washington, D.C. that specializes in resources for black Catholics.

Josephites—and their lay companions, parishioners, and students—have been part of the ongoing American struggle for civil rights and racial justice. Their efforts have ranged from activism for voting rights to a commitment to nurture African-American spirituality within

FATHER MICHAEL K. Okechukwu, S.S.J. blesses a couple at his 2011 ordination to the priesthood at Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.

Text by Carol Schuck Scheiber; Photos courtesy of the Josephites: Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart

a largely Caucasian church. They have helped nurture and develop gospel choirs and other Catholic liturgical forms with multicultural traditions.

“Today when black youth continue to be an endangered species, when we are still struggling to pass a Voting Rights Bill, and when almost 50 percent of black males drop out of high school and feed the prison pipeline, we Josephites are made keenly aware that our mission is not over,” writes the congregation’s general superior, Father William Norvel, S.S.J., in the Josephite quarterly Harvest.

“Indeed our mission is more vital today than ever before.”

Read on to see images of the Josephites in action. =

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FATHER MICHAEL THOMPSON, S.S.J. (right), vicar general of the Josephites, at a liturgical ministries workshop at the Josephite Pastoral Center in Washington, D.C. FATHER ANTHONY Anichukwu, S.S.J. (below) talks with children after Mass at St. Peter Claver/St. Pius V Catholic Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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FATHER CORNELIUS Ejiogu, S.S.J., pastor at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., enjoys a moment with a parishioner.

AN EMPHASIS of the Josephite community is to nurture lay leadership. Cheryl Holley, director of the Josephite Pastoral Center in Washington, D.C., staffs a display table of resources specifically developed for the AfricanAmerican community and made available through the center.

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PERMANENT DEACONS worship at a Josephite-led Mass on the 40th anniversary of the permanent diaconate.

The Josephites led the way in preparing the national deaconate formation program. The Mass was held at St. Joseph Church in Largo, Maryland.

SHARING the triumphs and difficulties of their ministries—and sometimes laughing about them—is part of religious life. Pictured here are Father Donald Fest, S.S.J.; Father Thomas Frank, S.S.J.; and Brother Marx Tyree, S.S.J.

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MISSIONARIES

Fighting gangs one youth at a time by

Carol Schuck Scheiber is the content editor of VISION V oc ation G uide and editor of HORIZON, the journal of the National Religious Vocation Conference.

Carol Schuck Scheiber

FATHER ALEXIS ZÚÑIGA, S.T. plays foosball with boys at the Outreach Center for My Neighborhood. Social activities and a sense of belonging give young people an alternative to street gangs.

Father Alexis Zúñiga, S.T. followed his missionary calling back to the streets of his hometown in Honduras. He and a team of outreach workers offer hope to young people caught up in violence.

I

DON’T WANT to look like a hero.” It’s hard for Father Alexis Zúñiga, S.T. to talk about his calling—first to be a missionary priest and later to try to stop gang violence in Honduras—because, he says, “I don’t want to use the stories of other people to make myself look like the big missionary hero.”

He knows that people like himself are sometimes glorified in headlines: “Priest sacrifices comfortable life to live in barrio,” or “Priest risks life to work in world’s most dangerous region.”

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“

I feel closer to heaven than I ever have been.”

Those things are true about Zúñiga, but there’s much more to his life and work than that. In the midst of poverty and crime, he appears to have bloomed. “I feel closer to heaven than I ever have been,” he says. He loves his daily work with poor teenagers, presenting them with both the gospel and concrete life options. Since 2012 he has helped to found two outreach organizations aimed at gang prevention, and he has been named pastor of a new parish in the hardscrabble La Nueva Capital neighborhood of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

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Zúñiga prays with youth who are about to paint a mural with a positive message for their neighborhood, La Nueva Capital. The young people belong to Youth Against Violence.

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Like church people around the world who labor in tough urban areas, Zúñiga faces big challenges.

Since he began his ministry in Honduras, six people involved in the violence prevention programs have died violently themselves. Murders, thefts, kidnappings, drugs, assaults, rapes—these are part of the reality of the poor areas of Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras.

Crime is prevalent and well-organized in this large city. Gangs act with impunity because the country’s criminal justice system barely functions.

Ninety percent of murders in Honduras are never prosecuted, according to a 2015 United Nations report.

“I’m fearful sometimes when I’m alone in my little house or when I’m out walking alone at night,” Zúñiga says. Still, he was deeply drawn to

his three-year-old mission to prevent gang violence in his hometown.

Called to a community Zúñiga left Tegucigalpa at 26 after joining the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (also called Trinity Missions). In the early 1990s, as a student of social work at the National University of Honduras, Zúñiga had fallen away from the church. But he underwent a conversion, began practicing his faith again, and started to attend daily Mass. “I knew the schedule of Masses all over the city,” he says.

The idea of religious life had occurred to him, but he didn’t have a strong sense to pursue it. One day, after coming across an ad for the Missionary Servants of the Most

Holy Trinity for the umpteenth time, he boarded a bus. At the back of his mind was the ad he had seen, and his prayer was that God grant him clarity about his life path. At that moment, riding the bus, he had a powerful experience that later his spiritual director would confirm as an experience of God. “It was an impact like an explosion within me, something mystical, an experience of God saying, ‘It’s me.’ I was terrified,” he says.

He went to Mass to pray about what had just happened. The gospel that day told of Jesus walking on water, inviting Peter to do so also.

When Zúñiga heard the words of Jesus telling Peter to come, he says, “It was a strong hit in my heart, almost like a heart attack. Again, I was terrified. I was disconnected from the

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ZÚÑIGA with visitors from the neighborhood at an open house for religious institutes that collaborate in working against street gangs in the Holy Trinity Parish neighborhood.

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S. Madonna Marie Harvath, OSF Director of Vocations . 1.610.777.2967 FollowFrancis@bfranciscan.org

world. When I came back to awareness to the reality of the Mass there, I heard the words of the priest: ‘Why did you doubt, men of little faith?’ ” The next day, he contacted Trinity Missions, and a year later he finally entered the community, at peace that he was where he belonged. Even so, it was not a smooth transition at first.

“In the beginning I was very anxious.

I am more used to being a coward than a brave guy,” he says.

While in formation and as a young priest, Zúñiga worked in the congregations’ missions in parishes in New Jersey, Florida, and Costa Rica. He also served as his community’s formation minister for two years.

A second calling Many years into his life as a missionary, he experienced another call, a calling within a calling. For a few Enter #214 at VocationMatch.com 138 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

“

I believe that our presence is a real and significant thing.

We are the healing presence of Christ for many of these kids.”

years, he had been drawn to working with young people on the margins of society. These young people, typically from poor areas and often from problematic families, are the ones who gravitate to gangs. Zúñiga wanted to reach them with the gospel message, to extend a hand of hope, friendship, and opportunity for a better life.

He began to long to immerse himself in work with gang members or those at risk of joining them.

Much of the strong pull he felt toward this work came from the fact that his own brother, Erick, had died

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in gang violence in Central America in 2003. Over time Zúñiga found unbearable the internal struggle he felt about living a comfortable life in ministry in Costa Rica while knowing there was extreme violence in the northern triangle of Central America.

The triangle—consisting of Guatemala, northern Honduras, and El Salvador—is one of the most violent,

crime-ridden areas in the world.

By 2010, it became clear to him that he needed to follow Jesus into the Central American cities that were convulsing with violence. Eventually the superior of his community supported him in this mission, encouraging him to forge a ministry for at-risk youth. Zúñiga’s own personal loss of his brother unites him with

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ZÚÑIGA and members of the community join in blessing a new gym at the Outreach Center for My Neighborhood.

the thousands of families in Central America who have experienced similar tragedies in recent decades from civil wars and criminal violence.

Learning the territory In 2011, Zúñiga began his ministry by spending almost a year learning what other communities had been doing to counter gangs. He spent time in areas in Central America that suffered from gang violence and met leaders who were doing outreach to address the problem. On his return to Tegucigalpa in 2012, he became involved in youth ministry with an eye toward gang prevention.

Today, his daily work with young people takes many forms. On any given day he might lead a retreat, celebrate sacraments, visit the sick, or spend time with groups of young people. He might hold meetings to plan numerous activities sponsored by a community center that was orEnter #041 at VocationMatch.com 140 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

ganized to help prevent street gangs.

Zúñiga became co-founder of the Centro de Alcance por Mi Barrio (Outreach Center for My Neighborhood), a youth-focused community center that sponsors social and arts activities and job training workshops.

The center is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

In 2013, Zúñiga became involved in a second program for youth: a pilot anti-violence program called Juntos en los Corridos de Narcotráfico (Together in the Drug Traffic Corridors). The anti-violence program, funded by the Catholic charity Caritas, trains youth leaders to counter the violence in their communities.

In these many activities, Zúñiga does not labor alone. “The Spirit is giving us the grace of being together,” he says of the seven other individuals with whom he collaborates.

They are a Catholic deacon and his wife; a laywoman missionary from Columbia, three Catholic sisters, and

a Franciscan brother. The eight of them are present in the same impoverished area of Tegucigalpa, and they collaborate on parish and gang prevention projects.

In addition, Zúñiga is pastor at Parroquia Santisima Trinidad, Holy Trinity Parish, a church that was formed in the neighborhood after he began his gang prevention youth ministry.

Against the odds Projects and activities have led to a drop in violence in Tegucigalpa, but Zúñiga knows he is still up against formidable forces, and he wonders if the tide can truly be turned on gangs.

Some of the youth that his program touches have been in violent gangs or still are, but many of them are finding an alternative to life on the streets through church programs, job training, and social outreach programs.

For example, one boy came to the Outreach Center to kill a rival gang member, but volunteers talked him out of bloodshed that day and eventually encouraged him to get involved at the center. He still has ties to a gang, but Zúñiga is hoping to help him start a small business and leave the streets.

“I believe that our presence is a real and significant thing. We are the healing presence of Christ for many of these kids,” he says.

Zúñiga doesn’t put a number on turnaround stories, but he notes that hundreds of kids have had positive experiences with the Outreach Center and its youth anti-violence efforts, and he happily shares stories of incremental, healing progress.

“This is an adventure of faith,” he says. And like any good adventure, no one can be sure how it will turn out, but it is an adventure for which he is grateful. = Enter #092at VocationMatch.com VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2016 | 141

BROTHERS

THE BENEDICTINE community processes into church to celebrate the feast day of Saint Meinrad on January 21, 2015. Saint Meinrad was a Benedictine monk of the ninth century after whom the Indiana monastery is named.

My unlikely journey to brotherhood

by Brother William Sprauer, O.S.B.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MEINRAD ARCHABBEY

Originally a software developer from Dayton, Ohio, Brother William Sprauer, O.S.B. is a junior monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana.

He is pursuing graduate studies at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and works part-time as media coordinator in its vocations office.

William Sprauer became a Catholic in his 20s. As his prayer life deepened, much to his own surprise, he found himself drawn to a monastery in rural Indiana.

S

IX YEARS AGO, I never would have expected to be wearing the Benedictine habit, and yet here I am, wearing a black dress and praying five times a day in the middle of nowhere (a.k.a., rural Indiana).

Growing up, I spent very little time in church; it just wasn’t a big part of my life. Sure, I spent some time with the youth group at a local Methodist church, but that was mostly a social opportunity for me. It wasn’t until my “super-senior” year of college that I really became invested in an active faith life.

Most of my college friends had graduated, including my then-girlfriend, and it was at this time that I experienced an intense loneliness, which I began to remedy by reading Holy Scripture. Coincidentally, it was also at this time that I

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“

When I prayed with the monks that first time, it was like the Divine Office suddenly came to life.

follow suit and become Catholic as well.

Conversion to Catholicism

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Contact us today.

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had my first glimpse into the monastic life.

In the fall of 2006, The Learning Channel (TLC) began airing a documentary titled The Monastery, which followed the daily lives of the monks of Christ in the Desert.

I was so enthralled by these monks’ lives, and the simplicity with which they lived, that I went to the local bookstore and bought a copy of the Rule of St. Benedict.

As I read through the Holy Rule for the first time, I was amazed at the amount of detail with which Saint Benedict described his guidelines for monastic living, even down to the proper amount of daily food and drink!

Realizing that these monks were Catholic, combined with the fact that my then-girlfriend was Catholic, I thought perhaps I would

Shortly after graduating from college and landing a job as a software developer in Dayton, Ohio, I sought out a parish church in which to cultivate my newfound interest. I can honestly say it was a somewhat willy-nilly decision at the time, but as I progressed through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), I began to increasingly identify with the Catholic faith.

The community at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Centerville, Ohio, was exceptionally welcoming and hospitable during the entire RCIA process. The Benedictine spirit of hospitality was (and still is!) certainly alive there at my home parish.

Once I was received into the church and confirmed in 2008 at the age of 24, my then-girlfriend and I parted ways. It had become difficult to maintain the relationship because I was in Dayton and she was in West Virginia at medical school. To this day, I am deeply grateful to her for sharing her faith with me even though I wanted nothing to do with it at first.

Even during RCIA, I thought perhaps I had a call to religious life, but I wasn’t sure what exactly I should do about it, if anything. At the suggestion of my spiritual direc-

SPRAUER (center) professes temporary vows in August 2013 along with Brother James Jensen, O.S.B.

tor, I made my first retreat to Saint Meinrad Archabbey, a Benedictine monastery in rural southern Indiana, in 2009.

I will never forget the experience of praying Vespers with the monks for the first time! Up to that point, I had been praying the Liturgy of the Hours completely solo, but when I prayed with the monks, it was like the Divine Office suddenly came to

life. I was hooked. I had to make another trip back.

Community life of prayer I guess you could say I became a regular at the monastery. I visited several times over the years and finally began the formal process of applying in 2011. Having visited with other religious communities (Franciscans,

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Marianists), monastic life seemed to be the best fit for me.

I knew I wanted to live in a community, and particularly a community ordered to a structured life of prayer.

I wasn’t particularly interested in becoming a priest, and non-ordained religious life as a monk had a certain appeal to me. (Other men who are drawn to communal life, prayer, and ministry pursue brotherhood in different types of communities. Not all Catholic brothers are monks, that is, men who live a monastic vocation.)

I think God speaks to us through our wants and wishes, and as I realized over several visits to Saint Meinrad, I wanted and wished to become a monk. And by the grace of God, I became one!

After a three-month candidacy and a year-long novitiate, I took my temporary vows in August 2013, which will last for three years. FollowEnter #206 at VocationMatch.com 146 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

I think God speaks to us through our wants and wishes.

ing this trial period, the monastic community may invite me to make solemn vows, which is a lifelong commitment to the vows of obedience, stability, and fidelity to the monastic life, which includes celibacy and poverty.

One of the most common questions I get asked as a monk is: “What do you do all day? Do you pray all day?” While prayer is, indeed, a big part of our life, it is certainly not all we do each day. Our life is marked by a balance of prayer and work, study and leisure. We pray together as a community five times a day in the archabbey church, and we have morning and afternoon work periods.

As a part-time philosophy student, my mornings are reserved for class and study, while in the afternoons I work as the media coordinator in the vocations office. It is a busy life; balancing prayer and work can certainly be difficult at times, but it is a balance that all of us are called to as Christians.

An interior journey Michael Casey, in his book An Unexciting Life, writes, “Exterior dullness is a condition for inner excitement.”

As monastics, we intentionally live a highly structured and “boring” life (by today’s standards) so that something within us has to change.

We cannot expect the things around us to change. We cannot expect to change the exteriors of our way of life. We must be what changes.

This is the wisdom behind the Benedictine vow of stability—namely, that I bind myself to this monas-

SPRAUER and Brother André DeDecker, O.S.B. help prepare food to be donated to people in need.

tery, to these people, and I do not expect them to change, but I must be the one who does. We renounce exterior freedoms in order to pursue an interior freedom.

By staying stationary, we work to “clean the inside of the cup,” as Christ calls us to do. And so, monastic living becomes primarily an interior journey, a journey that we make alone with God, but also together with our brother monks, who are on their own interior journeys.

WHAT IS CANDIDACY? Candidacy, also called postulancy, is a period of time during which the candidate, or postulant, lives with a religious community in order to explore its way of life more deeply. Candidacy generally lasts one to three years (although for the author it lasted three months). Being a candidate is part of a process of discernment

My venture into monasticism was quite unexpected, to say the least. I once thought that by now I would be married with children, yet God has presented me with an interior journey that is undoubtedly as full of joys and hardships as married life.

My hope is that I will be given the grace to make it through the rough patches and not cling too tightly to the periods of smooth sailing, but come to a comfortable and consistent happy medium. =

about whether religious life and a particular community is suitable for both the person and the community.

WHAT IS THE NOVITIATE? Novitiate is the next step in joining a religious community after candidacy. The person typically takes part in studies, ministry, and community living.

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BEING CATHOLIC

POPE FRANCIS asserted that social networks can foster unity among people and be a place of true encounter with God and our neighbors worldwide.

5 ways to share the faith on social networks

by Sister Maxine Kollasch, I.H.M.

The early church and social networks have a lot in common. Sharing the commonness of life is an opportunity to build community.

A

WHILE BACK, I signed on to Facebook and there it was: a smackdown. Someone posted a short remark about religion that someone else doesn’t like, and a fight was on. The remark wasn’t scandalous or mean, it was just a personal opinion. But the comments flew, pitting one side against another. It’s an experience that a friend describes as anti-social networking.

Sure, social networking is great when sharing inspirational memes and life achievements, but can it really hold the potential for good? In a message on World Communications Day 2014, Pope Francis asserted that social networking can foster unity among people. It can introduce us to viewpoints that are very different from our own, making us more expansive. Further,

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Sister Maxine Kollasch, I.H.M. is co-founder of A Nun’s Life Ministry, an online community of Catholic sisters and people worldwide in conversation about vocation, faith, and living life fully. Visit A Nun’s Life at aNunsLife. org and on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other social networking sites.

Please give the Vocation Director a call at 412-831-0302 Vocation Office: Congregation of the Holy Spirit Province of the United States, 6230 Brush Run Rd., Bethel Park, PA 15102 joinus@spiritans.org www.spiritans.org

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he noted, social networks can be a place of true encounter with God and our neighbors worldwide.

How can social networks become a place of Christian community? I turned, oddly enough, to the early church for answers to this modern question.

Intimate connections The early church had its fair share of good and bad days. Still reeling from the events of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection, believers remained committed to staying together and following Jesus. They used many images and symbols to speak of their nascent community, such as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).

One of my favorites comes from the book of Acts: koinonia, the Greek word for an intimately connected community. Koinonia describes the Enter #476 at VocationMatch.com VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2016 | 149

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On social networks, people share lots of ordinary stuff, which can open up to conversations of greater depth and meaning.

temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. …” (2:42-47)

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. . . be companions of Jesus whose lives reveal him to the world.

FCJ Constitutions

The passage describes community at its best! But we know community life even for the first disciples wasn’t perfect. In Saint Paul’s letters he responds to struggles that emerged between members and communities. What Acts offers is a compelling vision, one that inspires and motivates believers to keep striving for community even when the going gets tough.

As I considered more closely this vision of community, I began to find good advice for engaging online.

1. Transforming the ordinary . . . captivated by Jesus and his mission . . .

www.fcjsisters.org

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group of people who began to follow Jesus and gather as a new community. They were people who sought a deeper relationship with God and one another and took steps to draw closer.

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upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that the ordinary stuff of life can be transformative. In Acts, believers shared in everyday activities such as eating meals together. But in the context of faith, the meals took on greater significance. They provided spiritual as well as physical nourishment. The ordinary act of having a meal became transformative, deepening their relationship with God and strengthening the community.

On social networks, people share lots of ordinary stuff, too. Photos of a

walk in the park, cat videos, recipes, golf techniques. These things aren’t overtly religious, but they can open up to conversations of greater depth and meaning.

The Facebook remark about religion occurred in an otherwise ordinary conversation about daily life.

People were talking about how they manage stress. Although the conversation went downhill quickly after the religion remark, it would later be transformed by an act of kindness—a question—that would help people to understand why the remark was made and to respond with compassion.

2. Keeping the apostles at our side The early church was blessed to have many of the apostles and first disciples to walk with them. These mentors not only performed “many wonders and signs” but also showed by their lives how to follow Jesus.

These same kinds of mentors are in our online communities—women and men whose posts populate our newsfeeds and who engage with us through Pinterest images. They model koinonia behavior and inspire us to become online mentors, too.

3. Old-school crowdsourcing

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What an idealistic group those early church people were! Holding all things in common. Distributing all goods according to need. The early church community is in many ways a great example of crowdsourcing at its best. Today everything from the mundane to the extraordinary—from a Kickstarter for creative projects to campaigns to rebuild Haiti—can happen when Enter #193 at VocationMatch.com VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2016 | 151

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Sincerity isn’t always easy. Yet there’s great value in speaking out.

It’s a way to witness to our faith.

our faith. And what we say that day might be exactly what someone else is longing to hear!

When we’re our best selves, awesome things can happen, as was the case during the Facebook debacle.

As I was thinking about how to respond, I began to see other people step up. Instead of taking sides, they expressed their love of a faith tradition that’s big enough to hold many different perspectives. They talked about being united in God even in the midst of strong differences of opinion. By being their best selves in Christ, they became the face of Christ to us and called us to be our best selves, too.

5. Being neighbors

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the gifts of the community are brought together, from money to expertise to prayers.

4. Being our best selves in Christ Scripture remembers the early church members not only as being in community with one another but

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also still being themselves. Having “sincerity of heart” suggests that the members were able to call forth their best selves in Christ and encourage one another to do the same. Sincerity isn’t always easy. In a group, putting ourselves out there can be risky. We could be re-tweeted, or we could be criticized. Yet there’s great value in speaking out. It’s a way to witness to

The early church included women and men from many walks of life.

Ordinarily they might not have associated with one another. But in faith, they were no longer strangers. They shared a deep bond that affected their attitudes and actions toward each other and the world.

The turning point in the Facebook situation occurred when a woman addressed the person who wrote the original remark. With kindness, she asked him what he meant.

He could have responded defensively, given the tone of comments he’d already received, but he didn’t. He explained that he used to be very into his faith but now had many hard-

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ships, and it didn’t seem like religion and God were helpful. He missed his church community, but was too angry to go back. That’s when the negative comments on Facebook stopped.

Several people apologized and offered prayerful support. Strangers turned into neighbors.

The Facebook ordeal wasn’t the last of its kind that I have encountered on social media. But it showed me that the light of faith can outshine the dimmer moments that we stumble into as humans. Our faith tradition gives us a vision of community so powerful that it has endured for centuries and can be employed today, in even small ways, when tweeting, pinning, chatting, and otherwise engaging online with God’s mission in mind. = Related article: vocationnetwork.org, Guide to growing your community in the digital age, VISION 2015.

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BEING CATHOLIC

THE CHURCH doesn’t see sexual relationships as a form of entertainment, a fashion statement, or an itch to casually scratch.

Love and sex are simply divine

by Sister Gemma Simmonds,

C.J.

It might be surprising to some, but the church has a lot of positive things to say about intimacy.

Sister Gemma Simmonds, C.J. is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus. She is on the faculty of England’s Heythrop College where she is also director of its Religious Life Institute.

I

T MAY SEEM COUNTERINTUITIVE for a nun to be writing about love and sex. I certainly don’t claim to be an expert. But anyone who has tried to live the celibate life with integrity for most of their adult life has had to face the reality of their own struggles for sexual maturity. They have faced the challenges of understanding the interface between desire, love, the need for intimacy, and the attitude to the human body engendered by the culture in which we live. To help us with these challenges is our knowledge of the Catholic Church’s stance on love and sex, which is something we can also impart to others.

Out there amid general public assumptions is the notion that the church thinks sex is wrong and sees sexuality primarily as a problem rather than as a gift. This could not be more mistaken. If anything, the church takes sex much more seriously than the media or popular culture does. The church doesn’t see sexual relationships as a form of entertainment, a fashion statement, or an itch to casually scratch. The church only sees sexuality within the context of human and divine relationships, and in that sense it affirms a very positive view of sex.

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Sexuality is a source of joy and pleasure,” and in Vatican II’s Gaudium et spes, the church declared, “The acts in marriage by which the intimate and chaste union of the spouses takes place are noble and honorable; the truly human performance of these acts fosters the self-giving they signify and enriches the spouses in joy and gratitude.”

What the church does warn against is acting on sexual drives that make us think about bodies—our own or those of others—in a disconnected and instrumental way. If we only focus on isolated parts of the human body as producing feelings and satisfaction, it’s as if there weren’t a whole person involved.

This is where the difference between love and lust lies.

Saint Augustine might be called the patron saint of desire. He was the one, after all, who prayed, “Lord, give me chastity, but not yet.” Some have accused him of peddling a miserable, sex-hating version of Christianity, but in a famous sermon, he also said, “The whole life of a good Christian is holy desire. What you desire you cannot see yet. But the desire gives you the capacity, so that when it does happen that you see, you may be fulfilled … this is our life, to be exercised by desire.”

Augustine sees all true desire as rooted in God, who is the source of all our human capacity to love, and the ultimate goal of all our loving.

He sees any type of vicious desire as a toxic and self-destructive forgetfulness of our authentic goal and purpose, which is to mirror, in the way we love ourselves and others, the way in which God loves us.

We get diverted from what is

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Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement We are diverse | We are united

J

OY is at the heart of our ATONEMENT vocation. In Franciscan simplicity and joy, we proclaim the Gospel “that all may be one” (John 17:21).

COME, share in our JOY!

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best by perceiving and treating lesser things as goods, as commodities to be grasped, owned, and exploited for gratification alone. When we take things out of their proper context, they become destructive. A proper context here means that our sexual desire stays linked to genuine love and intimacy. God’s love is not opposed to eros (sexual love) but includes it.

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of sexual gratification for its own sake is a pure taker. In this sense, lust is opposed to love, including erotic love.

In itself, eros is God’s gift to us. Grasping after the satisfactions of intimacy, amputated from its original goal, renders it sterile and meaningless.

Yes to a lust for life A brilliant illustration of this can be found in the 2011 British film Shame,

where the main character, Brandon, is a deeply unhappy sex addict. What comes across most forcefully in this bleak, powerful picture is the dreariness and banality of a life in thrall to lust. Endless repetition and variation of the sex act cannot bring him fulfillment. The core intimacy, the joy and the risk of mutual self-giving and receiving, are missing for him.

In the Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius has a few things to say about desire. As Ignatius sees it, love leads to a lust for life, a delight and relish in the gifts and graces of God (which would include our sexuality and our capacity for intimacy) in which we fully rejoice. Ignatius encouraged people to live life with passion and part of each exercise is to ask God for what we desire. Our problem, in his view, is not that we have too many desires but that we have too few, or at least that we often live at a low level of desiring that isn’t fully human.

The religious vow of chastity isn’t about suppressing desire in our life, but channeling it towards the source and goal of all human desiring—God. For some people this deep connecting with our desiring selves will lead to falling in love with someone and wanting a committed and intimate relationship with them, and that is a holy and God-given vocation. For others God will be the beginning and ending of their deepest desires. In this sense, what religious life requires of us is to be people of passion.

Love is bigger than sex Discussions about love often get monopolized by concentration on sexual love. While this is understandable, it isn’t the full story.

Sexual love is one dimension, one expression, of the love that is meant to be at the heart of our lives. The

“

Sexual love is one dimension, one expression, of the love that is meant to be at the heart of our lives.

key to a successful life is to love God through loving people.

When someone tells me they are considering becoming a religious, I think, do they have experience of loving and stable relationships? Are they open to loving and committed relationships with all kinds of people, including those in need? You need to have a very big heart to be a religious.

The truth is we need a big heart to be a Christian of any kind. We relate authentically to God only insofar as that relationship bears fruit in love of “the other.” Loving God carries within itself moral imperatives.

Both Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis of Assisi spent much of their young life fantasizing about romantic love. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was brought up to be spoilt and self-seeking. For each of them, falling in love with God meant being set free to love in a deeper and wider way than they had ever dreamed of.

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Faithfulness over the long haul People yearn for intimacy. It’s part of being human. I have met many desperately lonely people who aren’t wanting for sexual partners. They have sex, but they don’t have the closeness of friendship or real intimacy. One way to honor our need for intimacy is to treat all of our relationships, romantic and non-romantic alike, as long-term ones. Living in a religious community has taught me the immense value of being faithful to friendships, including those I’ve had to work hard at. Knowing someone

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for many years, serving them daily in little ways and holding their hand as they are dying—that is true intimacy.

We don’t have one source of energy for sex and a totally separate one for the spiritual life. Our capacity for love is what drives all our deepest yearnings. As Jesuit Pedro Arrupe wrote, “Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your

imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.” = Related article: vocationnetwork.org, Does chastity matter?, VISION 2009.

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BEING CATHOLIC POPE FRANCIS does not hide his own joy, and he encourages Christians to renew their encounter with Jesus, our source of joy.

6 Carol Schuck Scheiber is the content editor of VISION V oc ation G uide and editor of HORIZON, the journal of the National Religious Vocation Conference.

SHUTTERSTOCK

things Pope Francis wants you to know

by Carol Schuck Scheiber

Pope Francis wrote Evangelii Gaudium to the global church to encourage and guide us in our efforts to live the gospel and share it with others. What can we learn from it?

P

OPE FRANCIS ISSUED his first apostolic exhortation in 2013, a booklength message called Evangelii Gaudium, which translates into English as “The Joy of the Gospel.” It begins “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus” and expounds in simple, accessible language on how to realize that joy here and now.

From the moment he was elected, Pope Francis has in word and deed stressed themes of mercy, joy, service, simplicity, and closeness with Christ. Evangelii Gaudium emphasizes many of those same themes as it seeks to encourage the

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“ 2.

. Spiritual Support of Priests . Contemplative/Active Missionaries . Consecrated to Our Lady of Guadalupe . Vow to Uphold Human Dignity .

Christ’s message must truly penetrate and possess the preacher, not just intellectually but in his entire being.”

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faithful to share the Good News.

Following are six key messages, although there are many more. To explore it more deeply, Evangelii Gaudium is available in print and ebook and can be downloaded for free at vatican.va.

1.

Be joyful

Since it’s in the title and first sentence, living joyfully is obviously a major theme of the message. Pope Francis does not hide his own joy, and he encourages Christians to renew their encounter with Jesus, our source of joy. At the same time, the pope reminds us that joy does not mean a life free of distress, but rather a life rooted in the hope of the Resurrection.

160 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

With Christ joy is constantly born anew (Evangelii Gaudium, sec. 1).

The gospel joy which enlivens the community of disciples is a missionary joy (Evangelii, sec.

21).

Finally an evangelizing community is filled with joy; it knows how to rejoice always. It celebrates every small victory, every step forward in the work of evangelization (sec. 24).

Challenges exist to be overcome! Let us be realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hope-filled commitment. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary vigour! (sec. 109).

Be rooted in prayer

The Holy Father repeats many times that evangelization is a natural outgrowth of a person’s genuine close relationship with God. The ongoing transformation and growth into becoming a Christ-centered person takes place in prayer, which sustains and motivates us.

Christ’s message must truly penetrate and possess the preacher, not just intellectually but in his entire being (sec. 151).

Without prolonged moments of adoration, of prayerful encounter with the word, of sincere conversation with the Lord, our work easily becomes meaningless; we lose energy as a result of weariness and difficulties, and our fervor dies out. The church urgently needs the deep breath of prayer, and to my great joy groups devoted to prayer and intercession, the prayerful reading of God’s word and the perpetual adoration of the Eucharist are growing at every level of ecclesial life (sec. 262).

The primary reason for evangelizing is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him.

What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved, to point him out, to make him known?

The best incentive for sharing the gospel comes from contemplating it with love, lingering over its pages and reading it with the heart. If we approach it in this way, its beauty will amaze and constantly excite us. But if this is to come about, we need to recover a contemplative spirit which can help us to realize ever anew that we have been entrusted with a treasure which makes us more human and helps us to lead a new life (sec. 264).

3.

Be a listener

The pope encourages us to listen to God and to those to whom we offer the Christian message. Reading, study, and contemplation of scripture are important ways to listen to God. Listening to other people is the starting place for sharing the gospel with them.

There is one particular way of listening to what the Lord wishes to tell us in his word and of letting ourselves be transformed by the Spirit. It is what we call lectio divina. It consists of reading God’s word in a moment of prayer and allowing it to enlighten and renew us (sec. 152).

In the presence of God, during a recollected reading of the text, it is good to ask, for example: “Lord, what does this text say to me?” (sec. 153).

He simply asks that we sincere-

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ly look at our life and present ourselves honestly before him, and that we be willing to continue to grow, asking from him what we ourselves cannot as yet achieve (sec. 153).

We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur. Listening helps us to find the right gesture and word which shows that we are more than simply bystanders.

Only through such respectful and compassionate listening can we enter on the paths of true growth and awaken a yearning for the Christian ideal: the desire to respond fully to God’s love and to bring to fruition

162 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

what he has sown in our lives (sec. 171).

4.

Move outward, beyond yourself

True faith, Pope Francis says, pushes us into the world to seek the common good and reach out to those on the margins of society. A complacent, inwardfocused person or parish is not being true to Jesus’ call. Evangelization, Pope Francis tells us, is not simply concerned with an individual’s inner convictions, but rather is concerned with the whole of society.

Consequently, no one can demand that religion should be relegated to the inner sanctum of personal life, without influence on societal and national

“

In all places and circumstances, Christians, with the help of their pastors, are called to hear the cry of the poor.”

life, without concern for the soundness of civil institutions, without a right to offer an opinion on events affecting society.

Who would claim to lock up in a church and silence the message of Saint Francis of Assisi or Blessed Teresa of Calcutta? They themselves would have found this unacceptable. An authentic faith—which is never comfortable or completely personal— always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better that we found it. We love this magnificent planet on which God has put us, and we love the human family which dwells here, with all its tragedies and struggles, its hopes and aspirations, its strengths and weaknesses (sec. 183).

5.

Be attentive to the poor and vulnerable

Being a disciple of Jesus means focusing on the people Jesus did: the poor and vulnerable. The Holy Father devotes a whole section of his exhortation to what he titles “The inclusion of the poor in society.”

Since his papacy began, Francis has emphasized that an essential part of

Christian discipleship is devoting attention to those who are weakest and most outcast. Christians are called to work for justice, human rights, and authentic human development for the poor.

Our faith in Christ, who became poor, and was always close to the poor and the outcast, is the basis of our concern for the integral development of society’s most neglected members (sec. 186).

Solidarity must be lived as the decision to restore to the poor what belongs to them (sec. 189).

In all places and circumstances, Christians, with the help of their pastors, are called to hear the cry of the poor (sec. 191).

6.

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Remember Mary’s by your side

Pope Francis ends his apostolic exhortation with a reminder that Mary is the “Mother of Evangelization.” She is our supportive companion in praying, striving to be faithful disciples, and proclaiming the Good News.

Jesus left us his mother to be our mother. Only after doing so did Jesus know that “all was now finished” (Jn 19:28). At the foot of the cross, at the supreme hour of the new creation, Christ led us to Mary. He brought us to her because he did not want us to journey without a mother, and our people read in this maternal image all the mysteries of the gospel. The Lord did not want to leave the church

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without this icon of womanhood. Mary, who brought him into the world with great faith, also accompanies “the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus” (Rev 12:17) (sec. 285).

Pope Francis’s final words in Evan-

gelii Gaudium are a prayer to Mary: Mother of the living gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us.

Amen. Alleluia! = Related article: vocationnetwork.org, The Papacy: Five reasons young adults love the pope, VISION 2015.

VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2016 | 163

ART OF DISCERNMENT

RETURN OF THE SON, SOICHI WATANABE

God awaits, always

by Patrice J. Tuohy

Patrice J. Tuohy is executive editor of VISION V oc ation G uide and publisher of TrueQuest Communications.

Y

OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY begins not when you first realize how much you love God but when you realize just how much God loves you. God has stored up an everlasting supply of tender mercy just for you. Accepting this abundant gift will give you the strength and hope you need to follow the right path toward wholeness and fulfillment.

You may then respond with confidence to the Christian call to “give consolation to every man and woman of our time,” as Pope Francis phrased it when he proclaimed 2016 to be a Holy Year of Mercy. All consolation is rooted in the warmth of God’s embrace.

164 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

mid-america

303.477.5436

www.capuchins.org vocations@capuchins.org

Midwest USA

773.475.6206

www.capuchinfranciscans.org vocation@capuchinfranciscans.org

NEW YORK/ NEW ENGLAND

845.642.1025

www.capuchin.org/vocations brotimjonesofmcap@gmail.com

Pennsylvania

888.263.6227

www.capuchin.com frtomcap@yahoo.com

western america

805.686.4127

www.beafriar.com peterbanksofmcap@yahoo.com

New Jersey/ Southeast USA 201.863.3871 www.capuchinfriars.org capuchinlife@aol.com

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INDEX

SEARCH COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

VocationNetwork.org

L

OG ONTO VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG to easily request information from any of the religious communities advertising in VISION Vocation Guide. Listings in Spanish and French also available online.

Men’s 141

Claretian Missionaries, p. 141

224

Columban Missionaries, p. 74

123

Comboni Missionaries, p. 170

207

Augustinian Friars, p. 57

095

020

Augustinian Monks of the Primitive Observance, p. 72

Congregation of Christian Brothers, pp. 125, 127

097

Congregation of Holy Cross, p. 9

328

Augustinians of the Assumption, p. 72

254

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334

Marianists, Province of Meribah, p. 22

145

Salvatorians (Society of the Divine Savior), p. 67

105

Marianists, Society of Mary, p. 29

159

Servants of Mary, Friars, p. 48

300

Servants of the Paraclete, p. 82

494

Mariannhill Missionaries, p. 79

298

Marist Brothers, p. 25

136

107

Marists Fathers and Brothers, p. 46

Society of African Missions, p. 155

107

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, p. 139

Society of Mary (See Marists Fathers and Brothers), p. 46

149

Society of St. Paul, p. 83

411

Congretation of St. Basil, p. 76

Barnabite Fathers and Brothers, p. 150

178

Congregation of the Mission, p. 49

199

365

Benedictine Monks, Mount Angel Abbey, p. 73

230

225

Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, p. 79

120

Somascan Fathers and Brothers, p. 144

217

Benedictine Monks, Mount Saviour Monastery, p. 72

Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, p. 83

129

Spiritans, p. 149

Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata, p. 76

Missionaries of the Holy Family, p. 144

164

046

415

108

Trappist Cistercian Monks, p. 83-84

Contemplatives of Saint Joseph, p. 152

Missionaries of the Precious Blood, p. 136

122

Trinitarians, p. 153

133

Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, p. 60

094

Viatorians, p. 65

178

284

Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, p. 23

Vincentian Priests and Brothers, p 49

137

Xaverian Missionaries, p. 36

182

INDEX

Alexian Brothers, p. 172

092

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Benedictine Monks, Newark Abbey, p. 20

484

204

Benedictine Monks, Saint Anselm’s Abbey, p. 72

468

Benedictine Monks, Saint Bede Abbey, p. 73

434

349

Benedictine Monks, Saint Gregory’s Abbey, p. 73

177

132

Benedictine Monks, Saint John’s Abbey, p. 16

228

The Dominican Friars, p. 39

408

Benedictine Monks, Saint Joseph Abbey, p. 73

102

Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, p. 15

088

Benedictine Monks, Saint Mary’s Abbey, p. 161

478

Franciscan Friars, p. 2

370

Franciscan Friars-Province of the Immaculate Conception, p. 77

485

099

Crosier Fathers and Brothers, p. 76 Discalced Carmelite Friars, p. 55 Divine Word Missionaries, p. 136

Benedictine Monks, Saint Mary’s Monastery, Petersham, MA, p. 64

283

Benedictine Monks, Saint Meinrad Archabbey, p. 145

233

465

Benedictine Monks, Saint Procopius Abbey, p. 73

Franciscan Friars-St. John the Baptist Province, p. 2

098

256

Benedictine Monks, Subiaco Abbey, p. 37

Franciscan Friars, Conventual, p. 78

295

342

Brothers of Charity, p. 74

Franciscan Friars, T.O.R., Immaculate Conception Province, p. 14

206

Brothers of Christian Instruction, p. 146

003

Brothers of the Christian Schools, p. 147

103

203

Brothers of the Sacred Heart, p. 138

344

091

Capuchin Franciscan Friars, p. 165

Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Province of the Good Shepherd, p. 55

104

Jesuits, p. 4

192

Josephite Priests and Brothers, p. 129

014

100

307

Carmelite Friars, St. Elias Province, p. 74

166 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

Franciscan Friars-Province of the Sacred Heart, p. 129

Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, p. 159 Glenmary Home Missioners, p. 22

289

Norbertine Fathers and Brothers, Daylesford Abbey, p. 17

110

Norbertine Fathers and Brothers, St. Norbert Abbey, p. 34

111

Oblates of the Virgin Mary, p. 81

093

Order of St. Camillus, p. 146

216

Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, p. 81

Missionaries 267

Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, p. 85

214

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, p. 138

203

Brothers of the Sacred Heart, p. 138

092

Claretian Missionaries, p. 141

224

Columban Missionaries, p. 74

123

Comboni Missionaries, p. 170

178

Congregation of the Mis sion, p. 49

440

Consolata Missionary Sisters, p. 88

168

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, p. 121

177

Divine Word Missionaries, p. 136

125

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, p. 92

271

Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary, p. 81

239

Pallottines, Immaculate Conception Province, p. 133

437

Pallottines, Mother of God Province, p. 124

113

Passionists, p. 82

114

The Paulist Fathers, p. 123

195

The Piarists, p. 82

134

PIME Missionaries, p. 143

138

116

Priests of the Sacred Heart, p. 124

Glenmary Home Mission Sisters of America, p. 93

103

Glenmary Home Missioners, p. 22

135

The Redemptorists, p. 135

127

117

Salesians of Don Bosco, p. 82

Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, p. 49

INDEX

SEARCH COMMUNITIES ONLINE AT VOCATIONNETWORK.ORG

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Women’s

214

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, p. 138

125

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, p. 92

001

Adorers of the Blood of Christ, p. 25

333

Carmel of Cristo Rey, p. 88

037

153

267

Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, p. 85

Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, p. 60

Franciscan Sisters at Springfield (Hospital Sisters of St. Francis), p. 93

013

Carmelites, Congregation of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, p. 157

193

Franciscan Sisters of Dubuque, IA, p. 151

354

Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist, p. 93

170

Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, p. 117

Missionaries (continued) 041

Little Sisters of the Poor, p. 140

494

Mariannhill Missionaries, p. 79

199

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, p. 139

479

Maryknoll Sisters, p. 14

042

Medical Mission Sisters, p. 137

299

Medical Missionaries of Mary, p. 95

225

Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, p. 79

129

Missionaries of the Holy Family, p. 144

108

Missionaries of the Precious Blood, p. 136 Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, p. 60

284

Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, p. 23

459

Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, p. 95

044

Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, p. 3

289

Norbertine Fathers and Brothers, Daylesford Abbey, p. 17

113

Passionists, p. 82

292

Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, p. 98

114

The Paulist Fathers, p. 123

134

PIME Missionaries, p. 143

135

Redemptorists, p. 135

466

Religious of the Assumption, p. 97

300

Servants of the Paraclete, p. 82

136

Society of African Missions, p. 155

222

Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph, p. 106

178

Vincential Priests and Brothers, p. 49

137

Xaverian Missionaries, p. 36

Augustinian Nuns, p. 119

482

Benedictine Nuns, St. Scholastica Priory, Petersham, MA, p. 65

004

221

282

353

069

341

152

175

157

143

008

Benedictine Sisters/A.B.F.C., p. 19 Benedictine Sisters, Crookston, MN, Mount St. Benedict Monastery, pp. 19, 109 Benedictine Sisters, Duluth, MN, St. Scholastica Monastery, pp. 19, 153 Benedictine Sisters, Elizabeth, NJ, St. Walburga Monastery, pp. 19, 30 Benedictine Sisters, Ferdinand, IN, Monastery Immaculate Conception, pp. 19, 161 Benedictine Sisters, Fort Smith, AR, St. Scholastica Monastery, pp. 19, 120 Benedictine Sisters, Rock Island, IL, St. Mary Monastery, pp. 19, 63 Benedictine Sisters, St. Joseph, MN, St. Benedict’s Monastery, pp. 19, 52 Benedictine Sisters, Watertown, SD, Mother of God Monastery, pp. 19, 113 Benedictine Sisters, Yankton, SD, Sacred Heart Monastery, pp. 19, 111 Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, p. 89

188

Cenacle Sisters, p. 111

257

Congregation of Divine Providence, p. 88

012

Congregation of Notre Dame, p. 26

030

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, p. 93

058

Congregation of Sisters of Bon Secours, p. 23

056

Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth, p. 35

363

Congregation of the Humility of Mary, p. 53

211

Consolata Missionary Sisters, p. 88

Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, p. 156

033

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, p. 121

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, p. 95

138

Daughters of Divine Zeal, p. 89

Glenmary Home Mission Sisters of America, p. 93

183

498

Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, p. 89

Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, p. 91

127

263

Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, p. 115

Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, p. 49

210

015

Daughters of St. Paul, p. 89

Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, p. 94

150

Daughters of the Heart of Mary, p. 152

039

Little Company of Mary Sisters, p. 163

275

Daughters of Wisdom, p. 46

432

018

Dominican Sisters, p. 13

Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, p. 97

022

Dominican Sisters of Divine Providence, p. 27

361

Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, p. 17

351

Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of the Springs of Bridgeport, p. 92

041

Little Sisters of the Poor, p. 140

439

Faithful Companions of Jesus, p. 150

105

Marianist Sisters, p. 29

162

Marianites of Holy Cross, p. 19

479

Maryknoll Sisters, p. 14

042

Medical Mission Sisters, p. 137

440

168

236

025

306

Felician Franciscan Sisters, p. 5 Franciscan Daughters of Mary, p. 160

VocationNetwork.org | VISION 2016 | 167

INDEX

133

161

INDEX

Women’s

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055

Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary, p. 162

279

Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception, p. 31

187

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata, PA, p. 59

294

Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, p. 21

075

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA, p. 110

Sisters of St. John the Baptist, p. 157

024

Sisters of St. Joseph (Federation) p. 109

(continued) 299

459

044

Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, p. 95

083

Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, p. 3

059

Sisters of Charity (Federation) p. 98-99

024

340

Oblate Sisters of Providence, p. 95

Sisters of St. Joseph, Albany, NY, p. 109

060

Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida, p. 99

024

Sisters of St. Joseph, Rochester, NY, p. 109

196

Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, p. 31

296

Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, p. 99

227

Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, p. 32

271

Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary, p. 96

062

Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, p. 102

154

Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, p. 110

Pallottine Sisters, Immaculate Conception Province, p. 27

212

Sisters of Christian Charity, p. 112

163

Sisters of St. Rita, p. 103

076

Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, p. 103

315

Sisters of the Divine Savior, p. 47

077

Sisters of the Good Shepherd, p. 121

269

Sisters of the Holy Cross, p. 15

155

Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, p. 163

433

INDEX

Medical Missionaries of Mary, p. 95

292

Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, p. 98

047

Passionist Nuns, Ellisville, MO, p. 96

356

Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, p. 99

495

Sisters of Mercy, Ireland, p. 99

063

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, p. 48

065

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, p. 120

366

Poor Clares, Spokane, WA, p. 96

Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, p. 100

078

Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, p. 119

068

079

Poor Clares, Travelers Rest, SC, p. 96

Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN, p. 100

Sisters of the Holy Redeemer, p. 33

067

329

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, p. 96

Sisters of Providence, Seattle and Spokane, WA, p. 151

Sisters of the Humility of Mary, p. 156

181

274

Poor Servants of the Mother of God, p. 35

Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, p. 101

420

Sisters of Social Service, p. 100

Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, Corpus Christi,TX, p. 100

336

Redemptoristine Nuns, p. 97

171

Sisters of St. Agnes, p. 26

466

Religious of the Assumption, p. 97

071

Sisters of St. Casimir, p. 101

475

Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, IA, p. 45

287

Sisters of St. Francis, Tiffin, OH, p. 99

438

048

194

359

049

460

051

Poor Clares, Jamaica Plain, MA, p. 33 Poor Clares, Langhorne, PA, p. 52

Religious Teachers Filippini, p. 118

173

Sisters of the Living Word, p. 34

318

Sisters of the Precious Blood, p. 47

327

Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque, IA, p. 104

255

Salesian Sisters, p. 97

052

School Sisters of Notre Dame, p. 97

072

Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, p. 112

215

Sisters of the Resurrection, p. 20

053

School Sisters of St. Francis, Milwaukee, WI, p. 97

252

Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, p. 21

034

Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, p. 30

140

School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King, p. 113

139

Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, p. 101

081

Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, p. 105

054

Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, p.98

085

Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH, p. 45

367

Sisters of Transfiguration Hermitage, p. 105

168 | VISION 2016 | VocationNetwork.org

223

Society of Helpers, p. 105

172

Society of the Holy Child Jesus, p. 51

027

Society of the Sacred Heart, p. 105

415

Trappistine Cistercian Nuns, p. 105-106

311

Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, p. 106

265

Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, p. 106

222

Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph, p. 106

218

Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, p. 106

086

Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis, p. 106

087

Wheaton Franciscans, p. 106

Associate communities 049

Associate Community of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, p. 107

New communities of consecrated life 049

Fiat Spiritus Community, p. 107

Resources 476

Global Sisters Report, p. 149

493

National Catholic Reporter, p.58

Secular institutes 360

Don Bosco Volunteers, p. 107

337

Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ, p. 117

147

United States Conference of Secular Institutes, p. 107

Service organizations 483

Catholic Volunteer Network, p. 155

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

T

HE BEST WAY TO KNOW whether religious life is right for you is to meet men and women in vowed life. There are hundreds of ways to do that: Attend a lecture where a sister, brother, priest is speaking, spend time with a community on a discernment weekend or volunteer activity, or make a retreat hosted by a religious order. To find upcoming local or national events, make a habit of checking the VISION Calendar at VocationNetwork.org/opportunities. Below is a sampling of what you will find:

DISCERNMENT

Today’s Catholic Sisters: Who they are. Why we need them.

Event Dates Sept. 12, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX Sept. 20, Dominican University, River Forest, IL Oct. 10, Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA Jan. 23, 2016, Mount St. Mary’s University, LA, CA Description These day-long seminars sponsored by NRVC feature the authors (Dr. Mary Gautier, and Sisters Mary Johnson, S.N.D.deN., and Patricia Wittberg, S.C.) of the acclaimed book New Generations of Catholic Sisters: The Challenge of Diversity. Free and open to the public.

Come and See Vocation Discernment Weekend Sponsors Sisters of Bon Secours Event Dates Oct. 16-18 Location 11525 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville, MD, 21104, US Description Join us for a weekend when single Catholic women come together to learn more about religious life from the women who live it! Meet and talk with Sisters of Bon Secours in a relaxed environment. You’ll be surprised at how much you will get to know about religious life and how much you will enjoy being with the sisters. Meet others exploring too. There is time for prayer, liturgy, group sharing, and relaxation. We begin Friday at 6 p.m. and end Sunday at 1 p.m.

Holy Year of Mercy Dates Dec. 8, 2015 until Nov. 20, 2016 Description Pope Francis proclaimed this Holy Year of Mercy to highlight the Catholic Church’s “mission to be a witness of mercy.” The biblical theme of the year will be “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” The yearlong extraordinary jubilee will include several individual jubilee days, such as for the Roman Curia, catechists, teenagers, and prisoners.

Vocations weekend for young women Sponsors Faithful Companions of Jesus, UK Event Dates Jan. 29-31, 2016 Location FCJ House St. Hughs, Wavertree, Liverpool, Mersey, United Kingdom Description A retreat opportunity with time for prayer, reflection, input. The retreat will provide space and time to meet with other young women who are discerning religious life. Contact: Sr. Lynne, FCJ at lynnefcj@hotmail.com.

World Day for Consecrated Life Event Dates Feb. 2, 2016 (celebrated in parishes Feb. 6-7) Description This day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast is also known as Candlemas Day, the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations Event Dates April 17, 2016, Fourth Sunday of Easter Description Also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday,” the

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Year of Consecrated Life Event Dates Began Nov. 29, 2014 Closing Prayer Vigil: Feb. 1, 2016 Closing Mass with Pope Francis: Feb. 2, 2016, World Day for Consecrated Life Location Rome Description A year-long celebration of the unique lives and witness of those in consecrated life, which includes renewal for men and women in consecrated life, thanksgiving among the faithful for the service of religious sisters, brothers, priests, nuns, and others in consecrated life, and invitation to young Catholics to consider a religious vocation.

National Vocation Awareness Week Event Dates Nov. 1-7 Description A week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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purpose of this day is to publically fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” and pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life, or secular institutes.

with the pope, celebrated every three years in a different country. WYD is open to all young people who want to take part in a festive encounter with their contemporaries centered on Jesus Christ. This event is an opportunity to share with the whole world the hope of many young people who want to commit themselves to Christ and others.

World Youth Day 2016 Event Dates July 25-31, 2016 Location Kraków, Poland Description World Youth Day is a worldwide encounter

SERVICE Service with immigrants, children and elderly Sponsors Ursuline Sisters - Roman Union Event Dates July 8-15 Location Ursuline Sisters, 136 Palencia Avenue, Laredo, TX, 78046-8525, US Description Women aged 18-30 are invited to join Ursuline Sisters for a week of service, community, prayer, and fun. Provide art activities for children and crafts and music for elderly at the diocesan-sponsored Senior Center. Some activities will be intergenerational. There will also be opportunity to learn about immigration and border issues. No cost except your transportation to New Orleans. Financial help is available.

ONLINE EVENTS Summer Online Discernment Retreat Daughters of Charity Sponsors Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Event Dates July 26-30 Description Attend this retreat from where you are via Skype, email, or phone.

This vocation discernment retreat is for women ages 18-40.

RETREATS

Fr. John Converset St. Lucy Church 118 7th Ave Newark, NJ 07104 (973) 744-8080 j44converset@gmail.com

Fr. Ruffino Ezama 1318 Nagel Road.

Cincinnati, OH 45255 (513) 474-4997 vocation@ combonimissionaries.org

Fr. Chris Aleti 1615 E. 31st St. LaGrange Park, IL 60526 (708) 354-1999 amadriga67@gmail.com

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Fr. Jose Pimentel 4705 S. Main St. LA, CA 90037 (323) 234-5984 joalpigu@msn.com

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Sponsors Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Event Dates First Monday of every month, now through February 2016, 4 to 6 p.m Location 701 Franciscan Way, La Crosse, WI, 54601, US Description Join us in our most sacred tradition, perpetual adoration. You’ll be ushered to our Adoration Chapel where you can pray for a few minutes or the full two hours. It is our hope that in this chapel you allow yourself to be overwhelmed by God’s sustaining love. Contact: communications@ fspa.org.

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