Though it’s been over 800 years since the last time a new Benedictine monastery opened in the Rostrevor area of Northern Ireland, the monks of Holy Cross Monastery are not complete strangers to the region.

In the long Benedictine tradition of monasteries sending members of existing communities to found new monasteries, the first monks came to this corner of Ireland in 1183 from a monastery in Chester which in turn had been founded by monks from the Abbey of Bec in northern France. In 1983 another group of Benedictine monks came to Ireland—who also belonged to the Abbey of Bec. They formed a cella—a small presence of monks, living a hidden life of prayer, interceding for peace and the unity of Christians. The then Abbot of Bec, Dom Paul Grammont, spoke of their presence “as a gesture of communion with the suffering Church in Ireland.”

HOLY CROSS Monastery.

This group ended its activities in 1987 and withdrew from Ireland but held on to the hope that one day they would be able to return and set up a permanent foundation. They did return in 1998, first as guests in the former retreat center of the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles a few miles away before building the new monastery, which they moved into the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2004. Their construction of a retreat center of their own is, says Dom Mark-Ephrem, superior of the monastery, “particularly significant; it manifests the community’s desire to build our monastery with and for the people. We hope that many will come to the Holy Cross Monastery to experience peace, healing, and reconciliation.”

Visit the Benedictine Monks Rostrevor on Facebook or at their website.

FIRST Religious and third pope named TIME's Person of the Year.

Pope Francis, TIME's 2013 Person of the Year, is the first member of the Jesuits and the first member of a religious community to receive this award. TIME previously gave the honor to Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1994 and to Blessed Pope John XXIII in 1963.

"What makes this Pope so important is the speed with which he has captured the imaginations of millions who had given up on hoping for the church at all," TIME said in its cover story.

"In a matter of months, Francis has elevated the healing mission of the church—the church as servant and comforter of hurting people in an often harsh world — above the doctrinal police work so important to his recent predecessors" (Reuters reports).

Searching the TIME Person of the Year list and cover archives, I stumbled upon a few other Catholic priests and sisters who have made the cover but not the prestigious Person of the Year issue.

POPES John XXIII and John Paul II
Person of the Year covers from 1963 and 1994.

Left top: Maryknoll's Mother Mary Columba, Mother General at a critical time of growth and expansion; Below: 1975 Mother Teresa of Calcutta, bringer of an "extraordinary message of love and hope."	Right top: 1971 Antiwar protestor priests Father Philip Berrigan, a Josephite, and his Jesuit brother Daniel; Right bottom: Sister Ada, 91, of the convent on Good Counsel Hill in Minnesota participates in medical study for Alzheimers in 2001 issue.

If you had say or sway with TIME, which Catholic sister, brother, or priest in your lifetime would you have advocated for Person of the Year?

WHO WAS SEEN on the big screen and who was a bouncer?

You've heard about Pope Francis' prior work sweeping floors and as a bouncer right? If not, you can read the Catholic News Service report here.

Surely, you've seen the Huff Post article of the Pope joining his Almoner at night giving alms to the poor of Rome no doubt, correct? Read more on this rumor that is "probably true" from "a knowledgeable source in Rome [that] told The Huffington Post that "Swiss guards confirmed that the pope has ventured out at night, dressed as a regular priest, to meet with homeless men and women,"" here.

Perhaps you haven't heard of Mother Dolores Hart, OSB who before becoming a cloistered nun, played opposite to Elvis Presley in "Loving You." Relish in Mother Dolores Hart's journey toward her true vocation as she reflects that "The extravagance of my Hollywood career only mirrored the extravagance of God’s creative love expressed through His Son." Read the full USCCB blog here.

 Discover more about the Benedictine communities here.

#popefrancis #hollywoodtoholyvows

BRUCE LEE: Vocation promoter.

It was a quote from action-movie star Bruce Lee which helped inspire Philippine Archbishop Socrates Villegas to enter the priesthood.

A life-long fan of the Hong Kong martial artist and actor, Villegas, the newly-installed president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, remembers coming across these words from Lee: “He said: ‘The cup realizes itself only by being empty.’ For me,” Villegas said, “it’s a call for sacrifice or for something greater than what I have been doing.”

Source: Sun.Star (Philippines)

AUGUSTINIAN Father Charlie Orobia blesses bodies waiting to be buried after a storm surge from Super Typhoon Haiyan. Photo: NCR

Ten days after the devastating Typhoon Haiyan killed thousands of people, the relief efforts continue to pour in to care for those displaced near Tacloban City, eastern Leyte, and Samar Island. National Catholic Reporter details the stories of endurance and aid provided by religious communities, including the Carmelites of Cebu and Ormoc, a Claretian novitiate compound, and the Religious of the Sacred Heart. Read the full article here.
#aidforthephilippines

Remembering women who dedicated their lives to bring about God's reign:
Elizabeth Ann Seton, Catherine of Siena, Hildegard of Bingen, and more to come this month on the VISION Vocation Network Facebook page.

CORITA KENT

The first full-scale survey of Corita Kent's work as an artist, Someday Is Now: The Art of Corita Kent, captures Sr. Corita Kent's career as a Catholic, an artist, an activist, and an inspiring art teacher at Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood, CA. This new book features her famous pieces and passion for the anti-war and civil rights movements. According to Gizmodo's article How a Screenprinting Nun Changed the Course of Modern Art: "Kent's work, was unapologetically positive, drawing inspiration from scripture, advertising and the streets of Los Angeles. Her prints featured phrases and graphic patterns that cribbed from cultural references and juxtaposed high and low, techniques seen in the work of contemporary artists from Andy Warhol to Shepard Fairey." (See VISION's Women of Spirit article for more on Corita Kent and the contributions of other American women religious.)

Speaking of creative ways to engage students' interest, Kent's work reminds me on a smaller scale of the stories my grandmother would tell me of her and her sisters' time as students of Immaculate Heart College in the 1920s—now Immaculate Heart High School—especially the memories of my great aunt, Sister Margaret Irene, also a former Immaculate Heart nun, teaching with castanets borrowed from her flamenco lessons as a young girl.

What other "hats" have you seen religious women wear besides the obvious "religious service to others and God" hat?

#srcoritakent #religiouswomenartists #manyhats

CORITA KENT on the cover of NEWSWEEK in 1967 and her 1985 USPS Love stamp design.

America Ferrera, Emmy-award winning star of "Ugly Betty," is set to play a nun-lawyer who practices on behalf of the least fortunate in a new CBS TV series, according to Deadline.

The plot for "Damascus" may seem a bit unconventional for primetime, but it actually sparked a bidding war between networks.

Woo-hoo! Let's hope it is not too cliche-ridden and actually captures the great work Catholic sisters do on behalf of the poor, including representing them in court.

THIS SUNDAY celebrates those called to serve the gospel in different parts of the world.

On the third Sunday of October we observe World Mission Sunday, an occasion to and renew our commitment to missions and missonaries around the world.

Pope Francis says of this October 20th event: "I would like to encourage everyone to be a bearer of the good news of Christ and I am grateful especially to missionaries . . . men and women religious and lay faithful - more and more numerous—who by accepting the Lord's call, leave their homeland to serve the Gospel in different lands and cultures. But I would also like to emphasize that these same young Churches are engaging generously in sending missionaries to the Churches that are in difficulty—not infrequently Churches of ancient Christian tradition—and thus bring the freshness and enthusiasm with which they live the faith, a faith that renews life and gives hope." Read Pope Francis' full message here.

What can you proclaim today?

#godsword #worldmissionsunday #missionaries

THE LINDSIFARNE GOSPELS exhibit in Durham has far exceeded the 80,000 visitors organizers expected.

Over the summer months the Lindisfarne Gospels returned home to Durham in north-east England as the centerpiece of an exhibition held in Durham University’s Palace Green Library. This 1,300-year old manuscript, a copy of the four gospels of the New Testament produced around 715 A.D.in honor of Saint Cuthbert is, “commonly regarded as one of the greatest achievements of British medieval art.”

According to the BBC Religion and Ehtics article "Lindisfarne Gospels: Why is this book so special?"  Bishop Eadfrith is said to have copied and decorated the Gospels on his own.  The manuscript “contains the oldest surviving English version of the Gospels and escaped Viking raids and turmoil - required time, dedication, and the invention of new tools and materials." Read the full article above and view the exhibit link here.

Did any of our followers see this exhibit in Durham? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

#middleagesgift #lindisfarnegospels #sacredtexts

Sister Camille D’Arienzo celebrates 20 years of Cherish Life Circle at an anniversary event Sunday October 6th.

On October 6, 2013 at 3 p.m. at the Convent of Mercy in Brooklyn, N.Y. Sister of Mercy Camille D'Arienzo, R.S.M. and the Cherish Life Circle will be celebrating 20 years of "upholding the sacredness of all life." Joining them will be Sister Helen Prejean, S.S.J,. anti-death penalty activist and author of Dead Man Walking, as well as Kevin Doyle, New York State's last Capital Defender. The members of the Cherish Life Circle work to eliminate the death penalty, comfort those who have suffered the loss of murdered loved ones, and promote restorative justice for offenders.

Read Jim Dwyer's of New York Times feature, "Ministering on Death Row, and Feeling a New Confidence in Rome" and Sister D'Arienzo's award-winning essay for VISION magazine and the VISION Vocation Network, Called, and called again as well as about the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

THE CHERISH LIFE CIRCLE sells Christmas cards desgined by a death-row inmate to help raise funds for institutions which help children in a number of foreign countries as well as the U.S.

NOVICES! SHARE YOUR STORY with HGTV's new show new house, new life.

HGTV’s, latest series, new house, new life seeks fun, high-energy, people who have or are in the process of changing their current status for a lifelong passion. In particular, they are looking for novices preparing for religious life.

Casting applications are being accepted now and production will continue through the fall. Ideal candidates will be outgoing people who would love to share their life-changing vocational and discerning experience with HGTV’s audience, inspiring others to pursue their dreams of religious life or spiritual fulfillment and service.

For more information please contact: cbaggish@orionentertainment.com, 720-259-1546.

#callingallnovices #shareyourjourney #inspireothers

Have you ever wondered who is considering a vocation to consecrated life? Who is answering THE CALL? Well, you are in luck!

In the past year nearly 5,000 people completed a Vocation Match profile. How old are they? What kind of community interests them? Where do they live? Check out our cool new infographic below (click here for a larger version of the graphic).

Brother Nich Perez, CSC, at Holy Cross College in South Bend and his crew have an exciting new project: A full-length documentary on religious brothers or/and monks in the Catholic Church, from different parts of the world, living a life of chastity, poverty and obedience. Check out the official trailer for BRO Men WIth Hope To Bring, below that recognizes the tremendous work of these men on a mission.

BRO Men With Hope To Bring Official Trailer from Nich Perez CSC on Vimeo.

PARTICIPANTS at the Picnic with Mary, hosted by the Sisters of Bon Secours.

The Sisters of Bon Secours in Marriottsville, Maryland, hosted a picnic last Saturday as an opportunity to honor the Virgin Mary as well as a time to faith-share and break bread together with the sisters.

Bon Secours Sister Pat says on her blog, “Well, Mary inspired us to do the simplest of things – to break bread together and to share what was closest to her heart 2000 years ago (and today) and that is to simply to say “YES” to God. So, the idea of having a picnic in her honor and inviting young adults to come and share how God is acting in their lives was born.” Not to worr: The sisters will continue this tradition by hosting another opportunity in the spring as a hike and picnic to nearby waterfalls in Marriottsville.

The sisters asked those who attended to reflect on: “where God seems to be in our lives.” Not a bad question to ask ourselves today as well.

#picnicwithmary #whereisgodinourlives #sayyes

Discover more about The Sisters of Bon Secours in Marriottsville, Maryland and read more of Sister Pat’s blog about the picnic with Mary.

In what has been billed as the "world's largest flash mob” to welcome Pope Francis to World Youth Day, a host of bishops in attendance danced along with the 3.5 million young people gathered on Copacabana Beach in Rio. Writing in the National Catholic Reporter, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, C.C.V.I., a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word and a professor at the University of the Incarnatate Word, speculated: “Perhaps the bishops were displaying more than ever that they follow Jesus, the person who reached out to all in friendship, compassion and joy.”

BISHOPS REHEARSE a dance for the opening ceremony welcoming Pope Francis at World Youth Day Rio 2013.

Said Jessica Abejar, a New York performance artist and dancer: "I was there on Copacabana Beach! There & throughout the activities at World Youth Day, dance is much alive in the church! I saw it at morning catechesis with my Brazilian brothers & sisters, with the South Africans during offertory at our catechesis Mass, throughout all the main events, & even in the streets of Rio as young pilgrims from all over the world danced 'samba para Cristo!' The Catholic Church is alive! Dance is a part of the new evangelization! There is a song in our hearts and the Holy Spirit that moves us! I am glad to have been a part of this amazing experience! And I am glad that I was also able to share in the new evangelization as a performer in their youth festival -- one of the largest religious art festivals in the world! What a blessing!"

Others, however, were not as enthusiastic about this new rhythm in the church. According to Kirk, some bloggers are "angrily attacking the bishops who were dancing at World Youth Day as not displaying their position of power and solemnity."

What is your take on the dancing bishops?

#dancingbishops #worldyouthday #newevanglization

“AFTER 17 YEARS of being a priest, Sunday mornings still never get old for me,” says Father John Herman, C.S.C.

For this throwback Thursday I think it is fitting to throw a “Hail Mary” here and remember the true purpose of Sunday mornings. While we are in the second week of the NFL season, let’s set our fantasy football teams to the best combination of players we have and then leave it and head to Mass.

Father John Herman, C.S.C., touched upon the importance of Sundays Eucharist this last October (2012), in his blog piece: Nothing Better than Sunday Mornings. Heshares  his love and gratitude for God calling him to become a Holy Cross priest aswell as a glimpse into his life of blessings and challenges as pastor of La Luz Parish in México.

Fr. Herman says: “One of the things that helps me feel very grounded in celebrating the Eucharist here is the connection that I’m developing with the people after being here for a little more than a year. I see Imelda out there and know that she’s suffering greatly from the tragic and violent death of her daughter. I see Pablo and Carla who are expectantly awaiting the birth of their first child. I see Arturo and know how he and his family are struggling to keep their family business going. I see Edgar who is discerning a possible vocation to religious life and priesthood in Holy Cross.

“I love Sunday’s, not because it’s the day for NFL football. I love Sundays because we all get to come together for our celebration of the Eucharist. Does it get any better than this?”

Learn more about the Congregation of the Holy Cross.

#throwbackthursday #sundaymornings #celebration #eucharist

In an interview with PBS' Religion and Ethics Newsweekly on September 4, 2013, Sister Joan Chittister and Prioress Anne Wambach of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA talk about Saint Benedict’s “life of prayer and work, and stressed the importance of hospitality, humility, and community.”

PRIORESS ANNE Wambach, O.S.B.

“Benedict was trying to in his day show people that there was another way to go about life," said Sister Wambach. "Moderation in all things, balance in all things, certainly God at the center of all. We have been trying to make people aware that Benedictine spirituality is for all people, not just for religious women and men, and has been from the beginning. I think Joan does that very well.”

SISTER JOAN Chittister, O.S.B.

Sister Joan, who has sold over 1 million copies of 40 books on the spiritual life, says has “a disease called justice. I can spot injustice at a great distance and feel compelled to confront it.” The community's recent projects include The Grove, "an urban farm with 65 raised beds that will provide fresh produce for the poor, and serve as an outdoor classroom for teaching gardening techniques,” as well as Sister Joan’s "newest and most cherished project,” a virtual monastery called “The Monastery of the Heart” which gather people together on the internet in prayer and community.

In answer to interviewer Judy Valente's question, “Why do you stay in the Catholic Church?” Sister Chittister said: “Roman Catholicism is the storehouse, the treasure house of the Christian tradition. It’s this whole notion of the blend of wisdom, of commitment, of knowledge, of holiness. That’s the church for me. That’s the church I’m waiting for.”

Read the full interview transcript or watch the PBS interview here.

#benedictines #makingadifference #insipiringsisters

Here is an update from Vatican Radio regarding the vigil for peace in Syria:

"Pope Francis renewed his appeal for peace in Syria and throughout the world on Wednesday, once again inviting Christians of every denomination, believers of every religious tradition and all people of good will to take part in the worldwide fast and vigil of prayer and penance for peace, which he has called for September 7th, the vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, whom we venerate as Queen of Peace. First announced at the Sunday Angelus at the start of the week, many local churches have already organized their own initiatives to mark the day. The Holy Father especially urged the faithful of Rome and pilgrims to the city to participate in the prayer vigil to be held in St. Peter's Square starting at 7 p.m. Rome time and continuing until midnight. The Holy Father concluded, 'May a powerful cry for peace go up from every land!' "

From the pope's message: This coming Saturday we will live together a special day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world. I renew the invitation to the whole Church to live this day intensely, and even now I express gratitude to the other Christian brethren, to the brethren of other religions and to the men and women of good will who desire to join in this initiative, in places and ways of their own. I especially urge the Roman faithful and pilgrims to participate in the prayer vigil here in St. Peter's Square at 19.00, in order to ask the Lord for the great gift of peace. May a powerful cry for peace go up from every land!

#peace #popefrancis #queenofpeace

Near the birth place of Saint Benedict in Italy is the Monastero di San Benedetto just outside of Rome in the Umbrian town of Norcia, where the Benedictine monks have been hard at work successfully brewing beer for a year.

Birra Nursia’s name has a history, according to their website: “The footsteps of our monastic ancestors, we sought to reinforce this ancient method of collaboration. In gratitude to the town’s patron, Saint Benedict and to the town’s inhabitants who so graciously welcomed us in the year 2000 when we returned to the ancient monastery at his birthplace, we have named our beer Nursia.”

The brew serves as a “a spiritual gain for them [visitors], even though they are not looking for it,” said the director of Birra Nursia, Father Benedict Nivakoff, O.S.B., in the YouTube video from Catholic News Service.

Cheers to the work of the Benedictine monks!

“In the short amount of time that I have been with the PIME Missionaries, one lesson has been of paramount importance to me: more blessed than those of us who were born into a world of faith are those who don’t know of God or see His works, yet still hunger for the opportunity to know Him. That is to say, the blessed are those who live in areas of great hardship where tragedy has become a routine activity and where religion is kept from them because it is different than the country’s tradition: despite all this, they still hunger for God. It really makes you think about how important the work of the missionary is in the grand scheme of things. The missionary takes on not only bringing the Word of God to those who haven’t heart it, but also to then serve as an example of His love and kindness.”

From "Faith" by Patrick Carroll in the July/August 2013 issue of PIME World (p.18). More about the PIME Missionaries (the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions).

"THERE ARE a handful of young people across the country who have interpreted 'calling' in perhaps the most literal way possible."

A couple of articles in the news this past week have addressed this question of calling, purpose, and vocation.

First, Emma Green of The Atlantic shares her thoughts on this in the context of the millennial generation in her article Why Would a Millennial Become a Priest or Nun? The highlights that struck me come at the beginning of the article:

"There are a handful of young people across the country who have interpreted 'calling' in perhaps the most literal way possible: By devoting their lives to the Church. The decision seems radical in the context of common stereotypes about millennials, a generation often accused of lack of discipline, skepticism bordering on snark, preference for a hook-up culture, and only the vaguest spiritual impulses. These millennials defy those clichés, taking lifelong vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to God—and to the Catholic Church, which, especially in their lifetimes, has been regularly plagued by scandal.

Sister Colleen Gibson, a 27-year-old in the second year of her formal training with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, took the quiz on a website during college to determine what the best path might be for her. "It's like Match.com, but for religious communities," she explained. After identifying some of the aspects of religious life that appealed to her, she clicked a box to send her answers to various orders that might be a fit. "The next morning when I woke up and opened up my inbox, there were 40 emails—it scared me to death. It's like throwing red meat into a lion's den." In time, obviously, Sister Colleen found the community with the best fit, and her may options gave her the chance to look at different kinds of communities.

The website Sister Colleen searched is the VISION Vocation Network's very own Vocation Match survey!

Second, on the Huffington Post Agapi Stassinopouslos posted a blog item regarding the topic of "purpose" and "calling" in her piece "5 Essential Questions to Lead You to Your Calling."

", , , When we connect to our heart's calling," Stassinopouslos says, "everything starts to have meaning. So I have come up with five questions that as you answer can bring your calling closer to you.

"What am I here to learn?

What am I here to teach?

What am I here to overcome?

What am I here to complete?

What am I here to express?"

Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M., cofounder of A Nun’s Life Ministry wrote the following blog "about the Catholic sisters, nuns, and monks in Kentucky who have peacefully but firmly stated that they will not allow their land to be used for a natural-gas pipeline proposed by energy and pipeline companies." Read more in her "Religious taking a corporate stance" blog posting and the background of the story from The Courier-Journal.

The Abbey of Gethsemani in Nelson County, KY and the Sisters of Loretto in Marion County refuse access to their historic properties for proposed underground pipeline. (Peter Smith, The CourierJournal)

NOVICE BROTHER Andrew Dinegar, C.F.A., (left), and Novice Brother Paul Magner, C.F.A., unload bread and other bakery Goods during a delivery.

The Alexian Brothers (C.F.A.) in St. Louis are featured in The Alexians magazine for their work with their “Loaves and Fishes Ministry.” The year-old ministry is growing rapidly and serving many homeless and needy throughout the city of St. Louis.

Brother Thomas Klein, C.F.A. started the ministry in May 2011 after his barber asked him if he knew of anyone who could use some extra bread. When Brother Thomas was reassigned temporarily last summer to Signal Mountain, Tenn., Novice Brother Andrew Dinegar, C.F.A., along with Novice Brother Paul Magner, C.F.A., have helped develop, sustain, and network to provide for the continued success of the ministry.

“There’s such a great need out there,” Brother Andrew says. The ministry fits the Brothers’ mission and reflects their values “to a ‘T’ . . . . Going back 800 years to how the Alexian Brothers started by serving the poor . . . it’s coming full circle."

Learn more about the Alexian Brothers.

Of course, as mentioned below, we'd like you to follow VISION at World Youth Day, but there are lots of other ways to connect, including:

• WYD on Facebook

• Pope2You - Diary from Rio 2013: Young people of the world with Pope Francis

• Pope Francis on Twitter

• WYD on Pinterest

• WYD videos on YouTube

• The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops WYD page on Twitter

World Youth Day Madrid 2011 priest in prayer.

Father Leonardo Lopes, member of the Pastoral Preparation Sector and Head of the Vocations Fair for World Youth Day Rio2013 shares: “The goal of the Fair is to help all who attend to ask themselves what God expects of them.” 

From July 23 until the 26, from 8 in the morning until 8 at night at the Quinta da Boa Vista site of World Youth Day Rio2013, pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit confessionals specifically designed for WYD, along with a tent of 600 square meters for adoring the Most Holy Sacrament, participate in catechesis, eat at the food court and various restaurants, and even visit tents with DJs and finally Evangelization 180º, with extreme sports like climbing and zip-lining. Read further here.

Is there an upcoming Vocation Fair in your area? Share the information of date, time and location below.

Also, remember to follow our VISION staff at World Youth Day Rio2013 at https://www.facebook.com/VISION.Vocation.Guide

At the 2013 Giving Voice National Gathering in Belmont, Cal., Roman Catholic sisters aged 25 to 49 assembled to pray and reflect on the future of mission and ministry in church and society in the 21st century. Some of their comments from the gathering:

• Sister Jessi Beck, a 32-year-old member of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dubuque, Iowa: “Throughout our history, sisters have been called to work with people living on the margins of society. Today the needs are growing as the gap between the rich and the poor expands. Having the wisdom of my sisters in community and a support group of peer age sisters in Giving Voice helps me to respond to the needs of our day.”

• Sister Sarah Heger, 31, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondolet in St. Louis, Missouri: “Mission and ministry is both one of the most challenging and most rewarding parts of religious life. The opportunity to come together as young, excited, professional sisters, to share our stories, to buoy each other's dreams, to pray together about the ministries God would invite us to pursue into the future is a conversation aching to be lived.”

• Sister Jessica Taylor, a 41-year-old Sister of Providence from Seattle, Washington: “It is our mission to be the voice of the voiceless and to help those in need. In today’s society, the needs of the marginalized are being left out and services are being cut.”

• Sister Chero Chuma, 31, a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace: “As a caregiver, I am called to promote holistic care to individuals and families, relieving pain and suffering, and treating each person in a loving and caring way.”

• Sister Julia Walsh, a 31-year-old Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration living in La Crosse, Wisconsin: “I sense that the paradigms of religious life are shifting right around us and we have a unique and sacred role to play in building the reign of God. The world needs us to be prophetic mystics and spiritual social justice centered midwives and mentors to all of God's children as they give birth to many new forms of gospel living.”

Giving Voice is a peer-led grassroots national organization of Catholic sisters under the age of 50 which creates spaces for younger women religious to give voice to their hopes, dreams, and challenges in religious life. The July conference is the seventh national gathering of younger women religious organized since 1997 and the first to take place on the West Coast. Previous gatherings have taken place in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, and Milwaukee. Contact Sister Susan Francois at 425-233-7280 to arrange a phone interview with sisters in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

The Daughters of Charity are featured in an essay by Tony Magliano for National Catholic Reporter. Magliano recounts the sisters' courage and compassion ministering to fallen troups following the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest of the American Civil War:

Learn more about the Daughters of Charity.

On July 5^th Pope Francis released his first encyclical, “Lumen Fidei” (“The Light of Faith”). It is a celebration of Christian faith as the guiding light of a “successful and fruitful life”, inspiring social action as well as devotion to God, and illuminating “every aspect of human existence”, including philosophy and the natural sciences, as catholicherald.co.uk shares their overview here.

Our friends at the Huffington Post point out here the importance of both Popes contributions in the completion of the encyclical. As Pope Benedict had nearly completed the work before his resignation February 28^th, Francis took up the unfinished work, adding a “few contributions” to Benedict’s “fine work” and publishing it under his own name.

Finally, the National Catholic Register gives us a great concise outline of 14 major points about Pope Francis’ first encyclical here that can serve as a reference while reading the 82 page papal document. 

Pope Francis' homilies on video, talks and tweets, webcams from Rome, and activities and events--all on the Vatican's first official iOS and Android app, Missio, and it's free.

Follow our twitter @wydusa

As we are at the 35 day countdown to World Youth Day 2013, in Rio De Janeiro, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wants you to follow them on twitter @wydusa!

This is a great way to receive updates, links, and creative and/or inspirational messages whether you are a group leader, pilgrim or follower from home.  Let’s stay connected to the latest news, share and retweet in our own circles of influence in solidarity as our prayer for this upcoming World Youth Day. 

Pope Francis greeting the American crowd at St. Peter's Square. Photo credit: CNS photo/Paul Haring, March 27, 2013

Anti-nuclear peace protesters, Holy Child of Jesus Sister Megan Rice SHCJ, Greg Boertje-Obed, and Michael Walli, were originally charged with trespassing on federal property when they cut the fence at a nuclear plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and painted peace slogans on the nuclear silos. But after the government faced embarrassing questions about the lack of the security at the plant, the charges were changed dramatically. The three non-violent offenders, including the 83-year-old Sister Rice, have now been convicted of acts of terrorism and face a minimum of 10 years in prison. They are currently imprisoned in a federal jail in Knoxville awaiting sentencing on September 23, 2013. 

 

Sr. Mary Ann Buckley, head of the American Province of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus said in a statement after Sr. Rice's trial:  Sr. Rice believes, “with the Catholic Church,” that “nuclear weapons are incompatible with the peace so desperately needed throughout the world and therefore cannot be justified. . . . We intend to stand by Sister Megan and our Church’s clear teaching against nuclear proliferation as the current situation is resolved. In similar fashion, we will continue to provide the opportunities, skills and commitment that allow those in need to overcome obstacles and lead productive lives.”

Read more here and here. Sign the petition to Attorney General Eric Holder here.

 

Learn more about the mission and work of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

 
Father Kurt Hartrich, O.F.M., pastor of St. Peter's-in-the-Loop in downtown Chicago, operated by the Franciscans of the Sacred Heart Province, had the excellent idea of devoting part of his weekly church bulletin message for the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend to recall some memories of what had been previously on the Madison Street site prior to the erection of the beautiful Art Deco-style church in 1953.

The pastor tells a typically colorful Chicago tale full of crooked aldermen, mobsters, and other entertaining details:

Up until a few weeks ago, the only thing I knew about the property on which our church was built was that the LaSalle Theater had previously occupied this site and had closed several years before we bought the lot at 110 West Madison. But this property had a much longer and storied history than just a movie theater.

John J. Coughlin was the proprietor of a bathhouse in the basement of the Brevoort Hotel at 143 W. Madison (now 118 W. Madison) in the 1880s. Just a few years later in 1892, with powerful backing from Chicago gambling king Mike McDonald, “Bathhouse” John became Alderman for the richest single district in the world, Chicago’s First Ward, a position he held for 46 years until his death in 1938. During that time, he was not only the city’s most famous politician, but he presided over—and profited from—the greatest red light district in American history, the Chicago Levee.

Coughlin was born in 1860 in Connelly’s Patch, an Irish neighborhood on the West Side of downtown, between Madison and Adams Streets. With only a few mediocre years of schooling, he began working at the age of 11 as a rubber in a Turkish bathhouse, learning the trade and saving fastidiously. By 1887, he had earned enough to buy the bathhouse in the basement of the recently refurbished Brevoort House hotel on Madison Street. The Brevoort, one of Chicago’s oldest inns and always one of the best furnished (it was the first in Chicago to offer an elevator), was rebuilt after the Great Fire as an eight-story high premier European-style hotel and offered its visitors what was at the time considered a true luxury—the opportunity to take a bath.
 . . .

Together with Alderman Michael “Hinky Dink” Kenna, he ruled the First Ward, selling protection to the brothels, gambling houses, drug dens, white slave operations, and saloons of the Levee for over 40 years. He was part owner of Frieberg’s Dance Hall and employed his business partner, Ike Bloom, as the official collector of tribute. Later, Bloom’s position was taken by “Big Jim” Colosimo, the founder of the Chicago Outfit, which Al Capone would run later. Nearly every famous Chicago criminal of the early 20th century got their start working under Coughlin and Kenna.

In his later years, while he continued to sit on the city council, Coughlin largely became a doddering figure-head for the Torrio-Capone syndicate, a kindly old gentle-man who enjoyed telling stories about days gone past. Bathhouse John passed in November, 1938. Having lost tens of thousands of dollars on his racehorse hobby during the last decades of his life, Mr. Coughlin left only a meager $25,000 to his family in his will.

Who would have ever thought that the land on which our church now stands would have such a storied history? I’d like to think that, since 1953 when St. Peter’s opened, we have made quite a difference in the reputation of this part of the Loop!
 
Indeed!

Evangelizing is going viral with Catholic memes.

Pop culture and faith collide in these visually popping images with ironic and often funny concepts called “memes” that Catholics are also utilizing to spread the good news of the Gospel.  The National Catholic Register gives us some great tips on how to appropriately exercise our evangelization skills with the help of social media. #whatwouldjesusdo 

FATHER PHAM with his mother after his ordination in May of last year.

On May 5th 2012 Ducanh Pham was one of three Franciscan Friars from the Sacred Heart Province to be ordained to the priesthood. Happy one year anniversary, Father Pham, O.F.M.! Here is a look at the celebration of the ordinations at St. Peter’s Church in Chicago, IL. 

Perhaps you remember Father Duc Pham as Brother Duc Pham as VISION featured him in this article that described his journey to the Franciscans as being “tricked” into it by God.

Father Pham reflects on his ordination in 2012 by saYing, “As I begin my priestly ministry, my heart is joyous at the opportunity to return the blessing and kindness which I have received—to be an instrument of God’s grace, peace and reconciliation in the world following the examples of so many kindhearted people who have given of themselves to help others. May the God of mercy bless us all!”

“Principal Peggy Wertz and I worked alongside a great illustrator and saw Becoming Sister Mary Grace come alive,” said Father Kirby, vicar of vocations for the Diocese of Charleston, S.C. Wertz is principal of St. Mary Help of Christians School in Aiken, S.C., where illustrator Alice Judd is an art teacher.

The book is dedicated to the girls who were part of the St. Cecilia Vocation Club at Mary Help of Christians School when the book was begun. Those girls are now juniors and seniors in high school.

Natalie Gorensek, a junior, was really excited at the launch of the book and stated that, “Everyone knows about marriage and priests, but not everyone knows about nuns. So it’s important we have vocation clubs to get the word out that being a sister is interesting and cool. … Knowing other options (of vocations) is really helpful in spiritual development." 

To read more about the book Becoming Sister Mary Grace, check out the artilce published in the National Catholic Register and let us continue to pray and encourage vocations throughout the world. 

World Youth Day 2013 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil will be here before we know it! How are you preparing? How are you celebrating? Read how many pilgrims celebrated the 100 day countdown here.

50th anniversary; instituted by Pope Paul VI during the Second Vatican Council.

This past fourth Sunday of Easter (April 21^st), also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, marked the 50^th Anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Pope Francis’ celebration included the ordinations of 10 new priests in the Diocese of Rome.

Catholic News Service shares moving highlights of Pope Francis' homily. “The voice of Jesus is unique,” Pope Francis said. “If we learn to distinguish it, he will guide us on the path of life, a path that leads us even beyond the abyss of death.”

The USCCB encourages us to “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.” 

PART of the crowd at a Mercy Shrine festival. © 2013 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

Divine Mercy Sunday weekend festivities, April 6-7, at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, home of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass. Attend along with thousands of pilgrims. Volunteer.

Holy Thursday foot washing rite.

Holy Thursday marks the first of the three holiest days of the Triduum leading us to Easter. The events of the day now and in Jesus time keep true to an action packed celebration. Simply put, Holy Thursday remembers the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Apostles. Catholic New Agency beautifully reflects on this complex and profound celebration that also celebrates the institution of priesthood.

Britain’s Queen takes part in Maundy Thursday by giving Maundy coins to deserving senior citizens.

Pope Francis humbly serves the poorest of the poor by washing the feet of twelve juvenile inmates that mirrors Jesus’ washing of the twelve Apostles.

Finally, the USCCB instructs us that the washing of the feet serves, “as a sign of the new commandment that Christians should love one another.”

How will the actions of the events of the Last Supper come alive for you today? How will you live the new commandment to love one another?

Rome will be the destination for an international pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Peter, July 4-7 for novices, seminarians, and those on a vocational journey. Part of the Year of Faith activities, the event will include visits to Christian sites, prayer, celebration, worship, and vocational testimonials and will culminate with Mass led by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. Registration is required; find out more online.

From a story by Veronica Scarisbrick on Vatican Radio: Pope Francis has chosen the motto Miserando atque eligendo, meaning "lowly but chosen," which in Latin means "by having mercy, by choosing him."

The motto is one the pope had already chosen as a bishop. It is taken from the homilies of the Venerable Bede on Saint Matthew's gospel relating to his vocation: "Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an Apostle saying to him: Follow me."

This homily, which focuses on divine mercy and is reproduced in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Saint Matthew, has taken on special significance in the Pope's life and spiritual journey.

It was on the Feast of Saint Matthew in 1953 that a young 17 year-old Jorge Bergoglio was touched by the mercy of God and felt the call to religious life in the footsteps of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and entered the Jesuit order.

Beyond the motto, the coat of arms has a blue field and is surmounted by the mitre and the papal keys. On the crest itself at the centre is the symbol of the Jesuits, a flaming sun with the three letters recalling the name and the salvific mission of Jesus. Underneath we have two more symbols: to the right the star representing Mary and to the left the nard flower representing Joseph.

In being a member of a religious order and the first Jesuit elected pope, Pope Francis joins 33 other pontiffs who came from religious communities: Here is the list, thanks to a Wikipedia entry on popes:

• Benedictines (17):-
  • Gregory I, Boniface IV, Adeodatus II, Leo IV, John IX, Leo VII, Stephen IX, Gregory VII, Victor III, Urban II, Paschal II, Gelasius II, Celestine V, Clement VI, Urban V, Pius VII
• and including Camaldolese (1):-
  • Gregory XVI
• Augustinians (6):-
  • Eugene IV
• and including Canons Regular (5):-
  • Honorius II, Innocent II, Lucius II, Gregory VIII, Adrian IV
• Dominicans (4):-
  • Innocent V, Benedict XI, Pius V, Benedict XIII
• Franciscans (4):-
  • Nicholas IV, Sixtus IV
• and including Conventual Franciscans (2):-
  • Sixtus V, Clement XIV
• Cistercians (2):-
  • Eugene III, Benedict XII
• Jesuits (1):-
  • Francis I

  Learn more about these communities in VISION's Community Search.

With the papal election now underway, the news media are dredging any number of papal-election history tidbits, including one about the longest ever, in 1268, when it took almost three years to elect Pope Gregory X. From that one we get the term conclave - "with key": It was going on so long that local officials locked the electors in with minimal food, water, and amenities to encourage a decision. Times - and accomodations - have changed, and these days cardinals don't take long to elect a pope; no conclave since 1831 has lasted longer than five days (thanks you Fr. Tom Reese, S.J. for that fact).

CREDIT: CAGLE CARTOONS.

You can follow the Sistine Chapel chimney for the tell-tale smoke by live video and at @PapalSmokeStack or sign up for election alerts at Popealarm.com and at one of many apps, but don't expect any tweeting cardinals. They're all sworn, and I quote their oath, "not to break this secret in any way, either during or after the election of the new Pontiff, unless explicit authorization is granted by the same Pontiff."

Interested in how the cardinals vote? How about the conclave schedule?

Mother Mary Joseph in her office at the Sisters’ Motherhouse, Maryknoll, NY, 1941

 

The founder of the Maryknoll Sisters, Mother Mary Joseph Rogers, MM, has been named one of nine American women to be inducted in 2013 into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (NWHF).

Mother Mary Joseph, whose “extraordinary achievements were recognized and applauded” by all the judges, according to NWHF deputy director Amanda Bishop, will join the 247 eminent women who have been inducted into the Hall since its founding in 1969. Among others included in this year’s list were Betty Ford and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

“We are thrilled and honored by Mother Mary Joseph’s selection,” said Sister Janice McLaughlin, MM, president of Maryknoll Sisters, and happy for the recognition it gives to our founder who achieved so much, not only for women religious, but for all American women, at a time when possibilities for them were far more limited than they are today.

“Mary Josephine Rogers, as she was called prior to joining religious life, broke through the negative stereotypes about the role of American Catholic women in church and society at the beginning of the 20th century,” Sister Janice said. “As founder of the first American mission congregation of Catholic women, she proved that women were equal to the demands of life and ministry abroad, particularly in places where poverty, physical hardship and sometimes, even safety during wartime, were commonplace.”

Mother Mary Joseph drew from a lifetime of spiritual depth when she stressed the need for the sisters to be compassionate women, adaptable and willing to try new ways without fear of failure or censure, according to a release put out by Maryknoll. Above all, she emphasized the primacy of a holy life.

Today, Maryknoll Sisters serve in 26 nations around the world, ministering to all people in need. Their numbers include doctors and nurses; authors, artists and dancers; social workers, ecologists and peace activists; theologians and spokespersons to the United Nations.Learn more about the Maryknoll Sisters here.

Religion News Service has outdone itself with its "Sweet Sistine" March Madness Pontiff Picks brackets. Make your best guess for first round picks by March 1.

RNS March Madness, Sweet Sistine Bracket.  Who is your pick for the next Pope?

November is named Black Catholic History Month in the United States, but many parishes around the country are celebrating and remembering African Americans with Eucharistic celebrations and reflections in February as well.

Firstly, The National Black Catholic Congress newsletter this month features Robert Boxie’s vocation story and journey to Rome from Louisiana.

"We hold ourselves accountable to our baptismal commitment to witness and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ."	Robert Boxie pictured in Rome, Italy where he continues his seminary studies at the Pontifical North American College (NAC).

 

Secondly, the Archdiocese of Washington gives a great description of Black Catholic History Month along with a list of Catholic ancestors of African descent who have laid the foundation for our faith:

St. Augustine, St. Monica, Charles Lwanga, Lena Edwards Madison, Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, Dr. Thomas Wyatt Turner, Daniel Rudd, Pierre Toussaint, Sr. Thea Bowman, St. Benedict the Moor, Llewellyn Scott, Pope St. Victor, Pope St. Gelasius, St. Martin de Porres, St. Rose of Lima, Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas, Nathan Jones, Fr. Joseph Davis, St. Cyprian, St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Moses the Black, Fr. Charles Uncles, SSJ, Fr. Augustus Tolton, Dr. Katherine W. Cole, Robert L. Robinson, Mathias de Sousa, Bishop Carl Fisher, Archbishop James Lyke.

Finally, The Office for Black Catholics, Archdiocese of Chicago, newsletter The Drum, features , “Faces in Black History” and a “What’s Happening this Month” section with celebrations that honor and remember Black Catholics.

How are your parishes incorporating Black History Month? How will your parishes remember Black Catholic History Month in November?

 

We are one week into Lent and the VISION editors want to know how you are keeping up with your Lenten promises! 

Join our Lenten Check-in Photo Contest via our Facebook page and show us your Lenten practice in action. Or enter directly below.



http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/315585

We want pictures of those French Fries you aren't eating, or that church you’re making a visit to each morning! The more creative the better. 

Winner of this contest automatically becomes a contender for the “Best of VISION post" to be featured in the in the next addition of Vision Vocation Guide.

You have until March 23rd to submit your entry and will be notified on Holy Thursday if you are the lucky winner. 

Good luck and get posting! May the best photo win! 

"White Monks: A Life in Shadows" - Photographs of life within three Trappist monasteries in Spain by photographer Francesca Phillips.

PHOTO from "White Monks" exhibition. © 2013 Guardian News and Media.

Some samples. The exhibition can be seen at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, London until March 9.

We are excited to announce that our friends over at A Nun's Life Ministry have recently launched their newly refurbished website and it is incredible. 

A Nun's Life Ministry has been working hard to create a website that is accesible and functional for all its users. Today, the sisters will be hosting a LIVE website tour to show off their wonderful new site. The streaming audio and video tour will begin at 6 p.m. Central Time. The chat room will be open too, so you can interact with the sisters and with other folks during the tour.

Some of the new features include: 

• New designs by Ann Betts
• New Podcasts by the Sisters called "Random Nun Clips!"
• New videos that highlight the sisters and all they do
• Easier navigation features to help you find exactly what you are looking for

Make sure to check out the website and join the sisters tonight for their special podcast. Way to go sisters!! 

Our Lady of Socavon statue atop a 12,000-foot mountain south of La Paz, Bolivia, passes the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil by 22 feet to become the “world’s largest Marian statue.” The patroness of miners, Our Lady of Socavon’s original statue is found at a diocesan shrine in the city of Oruro.  

Rolando Rocha, the lead sculptor for the project, told the Catholic News Agency that more than simply “a work of engineering and art,” the monument “is an act of faith that strengthens our traditions.”

Our Lady of Socavon, Pray for Us.

A footnote to the discovery-of-the-bones-of-King-Richard-III story: He was buried by the Franciscan Grey Friars at their church in Leicester, 100 miles north of London. The church was closed and demolished after King Henry VIII dissolved English monasteries in 1538.

A nice reflection from a Sisters of Mercy candidate on "My Journey to Becoming a Sister of Mercy." "I wish my decision to pursue religious life was a single moment that I could describe to you but I grew into it, or maybe it would be more accurate to say it grew into me."

Click here to learn more about the Sisters of Mercy.

A short film inspires Mary to become a nun.

 

Have you ever been asked to consider religious life? Was there a period of time in your life where you thought about becoming a sister, nun, brother, or priest? Writer and director Teresa McGee recounts this period of time in her own life as the inspiration for a short film, The Mary Contest.

An 11-year-old, Mary Kelly, struggles to fit in and finds comfort in Sister Adelia, who invites her to join The Legion of Mary prayer group. It is in the prayer group where the contest to find the most names for the Virgin Mary ensues.

How many names can you think of for the Virgin Mary off the top of your head? What about Marian religious communities? With help from the VISION search tab, here's my "short" list of communities with Mary--or some form of Mary--in their name:

 

"When Jesus came to Nazareth, he 'went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day' and read from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah," writes Dan Grippo in the "Preaching the News" column for Prepare the Word. "But if Jesus were to speak in a synagogue, church, or mosque in the U.S. today, how many young people would be there to hear him?" asks Grippo. "Dramatically fewer than in previous generations, according to Pew Research Center."

According to results of the Pew study, “Nones” on the Rise, one-third of Americans under 30 say they have no religious affiliation, a dramatic increase over numbers from just a few decades ago. Many researchers believe the trend is tied to religion's association with socially conservative politics.

"I think the single most important reason for the rise of the unknowns is that combination of the younger people moving to the left on social issues and the most visible religious leaders moving to the right on that same issue,” says Harvard professor Robert Putman, in an NPR interview by Heidi Glenn.

For Father Mike Surufka, a Franciscan priest in Chicago, there are indeed issues that are fundamental to the church but what seems to really matter is more basic: that the parishioner's spiritual needs are being met. . . . Surufka says he is hopeful about the future of religions in America. "There was a theologian from the mid-1900s who  . . . described hope as an attitude toward the future that we cannot see, but we trust that somehow it's held by God and that there are possibilities beyond what we can even imagine."

And Putman points out that, "Even with these recent changes, the American religious commitments are incredibly stronger than in most other advanced countries in the world . . . we are a very religious country even today."

As we approach Catholic Schools Week, it is fitting to find in a survey report by the Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) that Catholic schools and colleges influence the choice to become a religious sister and brother. “New Sisters and Brothers Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life,” is a report on a survey that was commissioned by the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations www.usccb.org/consecratedlife on the major factors in choosing to enter a religious order of those Sisters and Brothers who professed perpetual vows in 2012.

The most notable major findings include the following:

Average Age-

·         The average age of those professing perpetual vows is 39 and the age range is 23-66 years for women and 25-62 years for men. Additionally, the average age of 20 is the consideration time for the newly professed while half were 18 or younger when they first considered religious life.

From the U.S. or Asia-

·         71% of the class of 2012 was born in the United States and Vietnam is the most mentioned country of those born outside the U.S. The Asian percentage is larger and the Hispanic/Latino percentage is much lower than previous years.

Catholic Schools and highly educated-

·         Regarding education, 43% of the class attended Catholic Elementary or Middle School, 36% attended Catholic High School and 33% attended Catholic Colleges. Additionally, 60% of the professed earned an under graduate or graduate degree before entering their religious institute and only 7% report educational debt delayed their application to the community.

Prior Work and Ministry experience-

·         82% of the professed reported prior work experience; 19% worked part time and 63% worked fulltime before entering a community.  Furthermore, 72 % of the class were active in parish life before entering and of that 45% participated in youth ministry or youth group, 25% participated in Catholic Campus Ministry or a Newman Center and 25% participated in World Youth Day. Finally, 88% of the professed shared that they had prior ministry experience most commonly with liturgical ministry.

Encouragement to consider a vocation-

·         82% report someone encouraged them to consider a vocation to religious life including parish priests, friends, and religious brothers and sisters. Alternatively, 74% discourage the professed from considering a vocation by one or more persons including parents and family.

Familiarity with the Religious Institute-

·         Responding religious knew the members of their religious institute 4 years before entering the institute and 20% were sponsored or worked with the institute prior to professing.

 

CARA “researchers surveyed religious who professed perpetual vows in 2012, reaching a total of 108 sisters and 24 brothers, a response rate of 85 percent of the 156 potential members of the Profession Class of 2012 identified to CARA by their religious superior.”

            In sum, the newly professed are now older, primarily educated in Catholic schools, encouraged to consider a vocation by priests and religious and familiar with the religious institute they consider before they enter. How will we continue to connect discerners with communities? 

The Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, who staff 40 parishes, colleges, soup kitchens, and food centers along the Eastern seaboard as well as supporting groups in Peru and Tokyo, are among a small but growing number of religious groups accepting text-message prayer requests, reports this week’s Preaching the News via an article by Patricia Reaney for Reuters.

TEXT the Franciscans: They'll pray for you.

Their “Text a Prayer Intention to a Franciscan Friar” initiative, described as “faith at your fingertips,” offers a novel way for Catholics to connect with those in religious life. “People are always saying to friars, ‘Can you say a prayer for me?’ or ‘can you remember my mother who has cancer?’ ” said Father David Convertino, the New York-based executive director of development for the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Name Province.

"A lot of people text everything now, even more than email, so why not have people have the ability to ask us to pray for them by texting," Convertino said. The intentions are received on a website and are included collectively in the friars' prayers twice a day and at Mass.

Most of the 325 friars, whose average age is about 60, are comfortable with the technology, said Convertino. "If the pope can tweet, friars can text. We have a friar who is 80 who was texting today.”

A number of communities accept prayer requests on their websites. Are there more out there who accept texted requests?

This week is National Vocation Awareness week and a lot of parishes are doing their part to encourage parishioners to pray for young men and women to consider becoming a priest, deacon and religious brother and sister.

SISTERS of the Visitation, Tyringham, Mass.

Actually, the USCCB are having guest blog posts by young priests and religious on their pursuit to the vocation and how they were prayed for and encouraged by God and others to live the consecrated life.

Additionally, the newest members of the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Tyringham, Massachusetts come from very different life experiences and are a variety of ages but have all been drawn to the life of a cloistered nun. Peggy Weber of Catholic News Service shares the thoughts of each of the four new members as well as the director of novices’ Sister Mary Emmanuel’s goal for the community. Sister Mary Emmanuel says, "We're looking for someone with enthusiasm, someone's who's very interested in the religious life, someone who is a deep, faithful Catholic. She said that anyone considering religious life has to be open, willing to take a risk, and be someone who dares to be different.”

Thankfully, in the spirit of vocations, the Congregation of Holy Cross in the United States is thriving! Deacon Greg Kandra shares on his blog The Deacon’s Bench, “with more than 50 men in formation,” their congregation, “is among the healthiest for Catholic religious orders in the United States.” The key to their success is shared by Vocations Director Holy Cross Father James T. Gallagher is simple: “We use social media as a way to make ourselves known to those young men discerning a call to religious life. But the personal interaction still comes first. Our social media outlets are just tools we use to help make Holy Cross known, share discernment tips and help deepen a man’s prayer life.”    

Let the beautiful words of Archbishop José H. Gomez be our prayer during this National Vocation Awareness week; "Every priest is a sacrament — a sign and instrument that brings men and women to the encounter with the living God. So in this Year of Faith, we need to refocus ourselves, especially in our families, on helping men to hear this beautiful and noble calling from Jesus.” (Shared from his November 2012 Tidings article).

“To love another person is to see the face of God” is one of the most powerful lyrics that resonate from watching the latest Les Misérables. Being a musical theatre lover all of my life, I was highly anticipating the release of Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.’s production filled with a star studded cast. Having seen the Broadway production ten years prior, one might say I was a fan already, but what happened to me during the 157 minutes in the movie theater made me very proud to be a Catholic where God’s unconditional forgiveness is infinite.

Victor Hugo’s masterpiece novel has successfully reached many audiences through his written work as well as many theatre and motion picture audiences. The musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer under the direction of Tom Hooper highlight many Catholic themes present in this historical French story.

The overwhelming theme of forgiveness and redemption I felt at this viewing of Les Misérables reminds me of the The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant found in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 18. “Then Peter approaching asked him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.’” (Mt 18:21-22). This is poignantly seen between the Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) character and the Bishop Bienvenu (Colm Wilkinson) who is the first person to show him kindness after his 19 years of prison. Even after this compassion, Valjean steals silver from the Bishop and is arrested, but again, the Bishop forgives and shows love and compassion for him and tells the authorities he gave Valjean the silver. This short scene between the Bishop and Valjean encapsulates this theme of forgiveness, love, compassion 7 times and 77 times over.

Other Catholic reviewers are split. Anita Crane of Catholic Lane said in her title that the movie experience “provokes mixed emotions in a Catholic viewer”  from the musical being “mediocre” to the film makers “exploiting characters” and yet later shares that “In my heart of hearts, I hope it [the movie] inspires people to love God and care for orphans.” Where Joseph McAleer of Catholic Review, promotes the film stating that, “this faithful adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel, which was transformed into a worldwide stage sensation by impresario Cameron Mackintosh, is a deeply moral story. Characters rise and fall calling on God for grace and mercy, seeking personal redemption while trying to better the lives of others.” Both very interesting and different Catholic perspectives on the film worth reading.

They and I agree it is not really appropriate to bring your children 13 and under due to the suggestive sexual content, violence and adult themes. However, what Catholic themes came to mind for you? What is your review of Les Misérables? Did you feel the “Fight,” the “Dream,” the “Hope,” or the “Love,” the movie poster suggests?

This film reminded me of how utterly blessed I am to be forgiven by God in spite of and despite my sins. With this gratitude, I too try to forgive like the Bishop forgives Valjean in his sin of desperation.

For her services creating the state-of-the-art St. George’s Park Retirement Village in Sussex, U.K., Augustinian Sister Mary Thomas was awarded an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth in her New Year’s Honor’s List, Zenit reports. Sister Thomas, a native of Ireland, accepted the award on behalf of her religious community, the Augustinian Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus, and those who provide care in the Augustinian homes: “I recognize that the award is given not just to myself but in recognition, too, of my own religious community and many other professionals who have worked with us over these years to assist the elderly and most vulnerable in our society.”

The Augustinian Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus order was founded by Canon Peter John Maes in 1842. The sisters were to offer assistance to him in his ministry to the mentally ill. Today the sisters run four care facilities throughout the U.K. Their most ambitious project was the St. George’s Park Retirement Village. The award-winning development includes senior apartments, community building, restaurant, bar, shop, hairdresser, library, gym, game rooms, treatment facility, and lush grounds with a lake and park.

Sr Mary Thomas trained as a general and psychiatric nurse and has spent all of her religious life caring for the sick and elderly. When she was appointed Superior of the Order in the 1990s, she began to realize the sisters’ dream of an innovative new assisted living and care community.

For more on the Augustinian Sisters, read their online listing in the VISION community directory.