Ongoing Discernment Approaches

Ferdinand Benedictine Religious
Program: The Companion Program
The primary task of the “Sister Companion” is to be available for regular contact with the interested woman as a support to her discernment.  The companion and companion sister set a focus for their discussions and times to meet.

• Women are given the opportunity to become acquainted with the Ferdinand Benedictines and their way of life
• The woman has had some regular contact with a Benedictine sister before attending this program

For more information contact:

Sr. Anita Louise Lowe
Sr. Agnes Marie Dauby
800-738-9999
Vocation@thedome.org

Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco
Program: A Taste of Salesian Life

• For one week you can experience the life and ministry of the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco
• An opportunity to serve the young
• A TASTE of prayer -- Daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Faith sharing, Spiritual Reading
• A TASTE of spirituality -- Serving in an atmosphere of joy, love for Jesus and Mary and friendship
• A TASTE of ministry -- See the sisters working side by side as they empower the young and experience the joy of self giving
• Topics include: My Unique Call, Don Bosco and M Mazzarello’s Unique Call, The Call and Theology of the Call, Discerning, Religious Life Charism and Mission, The Vows: Choices for Happiness, The Prayer Life of the FMA, The Mission of the FMA, Mary Mother Teacher and Guide, Salesian Spirituality, The Formation Program of the FMA,

For more information contact:

Sr. Colleen FMA
659 Belmont Ave
North Haledon, NJ 07508
201 790-6202
Fma24@cybernex.net
www.salesiansisters.org
fmavoc@aol.com

Dominican Sisters of Springfield Illinois
Program: Jesus in July

• A six day experience of living ministering and praying with the:
• Dominican sisters of Springfield, Ill
• Catholic Women Committed to Gospel Living
• The days include time for fun and relaxation—hiking and swimming
• Time provided to get to know more about the Dominican spirit and the mission

For more information contact:

Sr. Lori Kirchman, OP
Vocation Office
1237 West Monroe St.
Springfield, IL 62704
217-787-0481
www.springfieldop.org
SLoriK@spdom.org

Ferdinand Benedictine Religious
Program: Benedictine Life Week

• A seven day experience of Benedictine life
• The week includes Benedictine prayer, Discussions on the Benedictine way of life-Obedience, Stability, Conversatio as well as time for personal conferences with one of the sisters
• Service opportunities are available
• Visits to Benedictine convents

Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Program: COME  to the HEART of APOSTLE LIFE

• Talks with sisters on Discernment, Charism, Sacred Heart Devotion, Prayer, Formation
• Women of the Heart in PRAYER—Eucharistic Liturgy, Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio, Meditation
• Women of the Heart in SERVICE—Sites visited include-pastoral ministry, health care ministry, educational ministry, youth ministry and retreat ministry
• Women of the Heart in COMMUNITY—Discover the charism of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in community—Love of the Heart of Christ as seen in hospitality, joyfulness, generosity, compassion

Program: Pre Postulate

• Program for women who have made Discernment Retreats and would like to explore the Formation Program without a formal application process; precedes formal acceptance into the Postulate
• Three month program with a Spiritual, Human, Apostolic and Intellectual Dimensions
• Deepening relational skills—stressing openness, acceptance, service and mutual respect
• Studies Catholic Doctrine and reads spiritual works and studies -- The life of the Foundress, history of the Congregation, Charism and patrons of the Congregation
• Participate in meditation on the Word of God and community prayer, days of spirituality and retreat
• Provides an initial experience in community living, ie liturgical life and work of Congregation

Contact:

Sr. Susan Marie Krupp
Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
314-620-8847
ascjusvocations@yahoo.com
www.ascjus.org

Curious Catholics

This project was a project designed by the Young Adult Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago. A special initiative of evangelization with Young Adults the program begins by inviting Young Adults to participate in the Catholic Church in a deeper and more consistent way.
The materials for facilitating this program are included here.

• Parish set up
• Church bulletin inserts for Young Adult Events
• Sample letter to those inviters who are inviting Young Adults to attend
• Sample Bulletin announcement for Curious Catholics-Registration card
• Questions that participants asked
• Evaluation Form

For more information contact Sr.Christine Kiley

Sisters of the Good Shepherd
“One Week A Shepherd”

• Combines the apostolic and contemplative life of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd through service and prayer
• Service opportunities include: an alternative high school for students with special emotional needs, the National Advocacy Office for women and children, Handcrafting Justice generating crafts in developing countries, a multi-service family and community center. 

Sr. Debbie Drago
732-946-0515
srdebbie@optonline.net

Other Study

• Christopher West Theology of the Body Conferences/CD series
• www.christopherwest.com

Mentor Program

• Prospects are matched with religious in a consultative relationship during the process of their discernment

For more information contact:  Kyle Brandon kbrandon@glenmary.org

Associate Programs

• Quite popular among many congregations to form collaborative relationships with prospects who want to deepen their faith and perhaps discern religious life.

Email Newsletter

• A monthly electronic newsletter sent to prospects updating them on vocation activities and opportunities
• The goal is to keep consistent communication with discerners

For more information contact:  Kyle Brandon kbrandon@glenmary.org

Preachers Program

• Those in formation preach or offer reflections during January Vocation Awareness Week
• Concrete action steps are offered for those interested, i.e. Come and See Weekends

More information:  Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, op wisdomop@yahoo.com

“I’m Waiting to Be Asked”

• In the context of the homily, invite people in Church  to think of a person with the attributes for priesthood or religious life and then write that person’s name and contact information on a pre-provided index card. Religious and priests speak at all of the Masses about religious life and priesthood.

For more information contact:  Sr. Christine Kiley, ascj  ckileyascj@ascj.com

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
Monastic Observance Program

You're likely to have lots of questions about what monks do, howe they live and work, what they do for fun and how prayer shapes the rhythm of their days.

If you're curious about whether this particular vocation might be right for you, come and visit us. Roman Catholic men who are single and interested in learning more aout living the Benedictine commitment to prayer and work can experience the community life during a scheduled visit. A formal come-and-see-experience, "A Monastic Observance," is scheduled each year from December 26-January 1.

At other times during the year, it is also possible and encouraged to make a visit, staying in the Guest House and Retreat Center. During your visit, you will have an opportunity to witness and participate in monastic life, learning about day-to-day life and praying alongside the monks. You'll discover firsthand about Saint Meinrad's work and its long tradition of service to the Catholic Church.

Download a Monastic Observance PDF (56K) for information about the December visit program. http://www.saintmeinrad.edu/files/A Monastic Observance.pdf