Vocations Call for Women Considering the Religious Life
Adoration
We started Sunday morning with Jesus in adoration. This time we spent ten minutes in pure silence before the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration back at home will look more simple: not as much music, fewer lights, far fewer people, but Jesus is still there.
Discipleship Panel
From there we transitioned to a discipleship panel where each of the speakers from this weekend gave us practical advice that we can take with us as we return home.
Tim spoke of the need for community, a community that “will scream ‘Man overboard!’ when someone drifts away.” Christian community supports each other and then turns outward and goes on mission to serve in the world.
Fr. Rufino Corona, TOR reminded us that the Jesus we encountered in adoration is the same Jesus we consume at Mass in our home parishes; that the procession Jesus is the same Jesus that’s on the altar in the adoration chapel. Frequent the sacraments; they “are guaranteed grace”.
Sr. M. Karolyn discussed a personal prayer life. It’s wonderful to go on retreats, but the daily consistency of talking with the Lord will change our lives. “What if we operated less like motorboats that need to be refueled (only by retreats) and more like sailboats that open themselves up to God’s grace on a daily basis?”
Joel challenged us to go forth and serve those at home. Three places he specifically mentioned were our parish, our school or work community, and our families. Our families can be difficult places to serve at times, but it is so important to serve those closest to us.
Finally, Deacon Bob Rice elaborated on the concepts of consistency, starting small, and living in community. He encouraged us to love, even when it’s difficult and to commit to making prayer a consistent part of our lives.
Mass – Homily by Bishop Rice
Today’s Gospel is the story of Mary and Martha. Bishop Rice focused in on the conscious choice that each made and how we also have that choice in our own lives. “Mary consciously chose the better part, allowing herself to be consumed with the one who desired to be with her.” Jesus offers us fullness, abundance; He holds nothing back. “He desires to fill us fully with what’s best for us.” He challenged us to give Jesus our most valuable resource – our time – especially in silent adoration. Bishop Rice encouraged the youth ministers to “simply teach our young people that being in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist like Mary sitting at his feet, listening, praying with that heart, that’s enough.”
Baptism and Vocation Calls
In a tradition that started here at Steubenville Mid-America, Fr. Rufino called forward anyone discerning baptism and/or fully entering the Catholic Church. These young men and women will be connected with someone who will walk with them through the process of becoming Catholic in their home dioceses. Bishop Rice said a prayer specifically for them and gave them a blessing. Please pray for them!
Next, Sr. M. Karolyn invited any young women who feel called to discern religious life to come forward and receive a blessing from the Bishop. She explained that discernment of a religious vocation has to be more than something in your head. It needs to be in the context of a relationship with Jesus. A question to ask Jesus in your discernment: How have you created me to receive your love and give your love to the world?
Finally, Fr. Rufino called on the young men to come forward. He specifically asked those who might feel a bit nervous or afraid to lean into what God may be calling them to do. He reminded them that to discern the priesthood, you need to fall in love with the Lord and His Church. Discernment requires growth in prayer, understanding the way He speaks, the way He moves.
We have been so blessed this weekend and have truly been lavished by God’s abundant love. We’ll see you next year!
