EVERYONE IS CALLED
I'm glad that you have decided to continue to receive INPUT. I hope that it will be helpful to you as you continue to examine the lifestyle where you are called to love your best. Basically, that is what discernment is all about discovering what life way is best for you.
This means that you must remain open to all the options you have before you. Every baptized person has a vocation. As an adult, you are deepening your baptismal commitment in the lifestyle you choose: marriage, single life, priesthood, sisterhood, or brotherhood.
As vocation director, my ministry is helping others to learn more about the religious life way, as well as teaching about my own community - the Pallottines. However, I must remain open in order to listen with you in seeing where you will be happy and love your best. Not everyone is called to be a Pallottine, nor Benedictine, nor any one of the many congregations that exist in this country alone.
With regards to finding the right community for you, there are questions you can ask yourself to help narrow down your options:
Think about this for awhile and see where your head, heart and guts go with these questions. Get in touch with your feelings that the questions may evoke. You may want to spend time writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.
You may want to explore these questions with a spiritual director or with a vocation director. I also want to invite your to write to me. I would be glad to assist you in your journey and to listen with you.
Again, I want to encourage you to visit various religious communities. contact the vocation director or one of the sisters and see if there is a time when you can visit - for a meal, weekend, for prayers. And know you are welcome to visit one of our houses. Just let me know in advance, so we can arrange a time.
If you are interested, I do have a booklet entitled, "How to Make a Live-In". Please let me know if you would like a copy of this resource.
NEXT ISSUE: Exploring community, prayer, and ministry deeper.
INPUT is a publication of the Pallottine Vocation Office
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