Reflections on call
It is our life's work as Catholics to find beliefs, practices and people that are truly rooted in love, and to grow them within ourselves. All Catholic vocations, whether single, married or religious, can serve this purpose, but only one of them is meant for each of us to pursue. A vocation, in its broadest sense, is the catalyst for God’s work within us. As a single person, I am asked to look around, fill myself with observations about my personality and patterns of behavior, and better align myself with the will of God.
It was the middle of the afternoon on June 3rd when I arrived at the Catholic Theological Union both nervous and excited about what would happen the next couple of days. When I walked through the doors of where I would be staying, I was greeted with smiles and a warm welcome. After I settled into my room, I walked downstairs to the Student Lounge to pick up my program materials for the weekend and I began to meet some of the other participants from all over the United States.
Arrianne Whittaker is currently a Postulant with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. A few months before her entrance Arrianne visited the Sisters of St. Agnes in Fond du Lac, WI mostly just for fun since she had never seen their motherhouse; but had been contact with the CSA order as part of her discernment process. At this visit S. Jean Hinderer, vocation director, requested that she interview Arrianne about her journey of discerning a call to religious life in hopes of providing insight to other women discerning their own vocation. Both Arrianne and Sr.
I met Ryan through a friend and there was an instant attraction. He was handsome, funny, and shared my sense of adventure. As we got to know each other I found in him a true gentleman who deeply respected and cared for me. We grew in like and in love and began to share our lives.
“As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them,'Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Then they abandoned their nets and followed him” (MK 1:14-20).
When we were children, waiting - for a birthday, for Christmas, perhaps for a new baby sister or brother - could seem interminable. Later in life, schedules can become so crowded that we can't easily to find the time to prepare adequately for some imminent event. But it's not only age that determines attitudes; it's often the way we understand time itself. For many, time has become just another commodity, and the language shows that very well: we waste, save, spend, gain or lose time, just like we do with money. When time is just another limited resource, we treat it economically.
“During Reagan’s war [the Contra War] 50,000 young people were killed. They were carried away from their families and off to the war in military trucks, stuffed full. They say Reagan died of cancer…he deserved it.”
My name is Sister Liz Sjoberg and I am a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, living in Emmitsburg, Maryland. I have had the pleasure of working for the Campus Ministry Office at Mount St. Mary’s University since completing novitiate in March 2009. My responsibilities include vocation formation opportunities, coordinating special events and retreats for high schoolers who come to campus, and participating in service projects, Music Ministry and Peer Ministry.
