The Call to Vocation as a Source of Fear

It’s almost four years, now, that I have been doing vocation work for my Province.  I LOVE this work; it’s challenging, but very, very encouraging!  The young people who are looking into religious life are like the “cream of the crop” among young Roman Catholics in America.  They are the finest young people, who, in searching for God’s plans, and often after years of pushing the idea of religious life away, have come to accept this call. 

The one thing they don’t yet know, though, is that  much later on, they will realize that this Vocation they so adamantly avoided, was in fact a huge gift.  The very thing they feared will, in fact, be their greatest blessing!  Some may have an intuition even now, but at one point, they will realize the call they so avidly wanted to bury was indeed a precious pearl!

Just recently, one of these young people searching for God’s call, and finding that perhaps she has a home with the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, shared this poem she had written … it’s called VOCATION

It is not very quiet in her heart so full
There is this tug, this bit of a pull
Something calling to do a little more
Drawing her to see what is in store
Fear trembles from deep within
She has no idea where to begin
There was a visit to come and see
Leaving her now on bended knee
With all of this she is left to wander
Her friends give her much to ponder
In all the moments of her past
Maybe this is what will forever last

I’m sure you can only imagine the fear that inhabits every one of those words.  Mostly, this is a fear of the unknown.  So, I ask you, pray for them, that they can find the courage and faith to answer God with in the affirmative, and that they will one day know the joy of completely abandoning themselves to our God, who is Love.

What can YOU do?

 

more about “What can YOU do?“, posted with vodpod

 

Helplessness.  We’ve all been there before.  And yet, each of us individually has a great deal of power.  I once read the story, “How Much Does A Snowflake Weigh?”  (You can find it below.)  The simple moral of this children’s story?  We must each do our part!  You see, the great human temptation is to think we are insignificant…that there are so many people, and our voice is so small, that whether or not we speak up is indifferent. 

Sometimes, we use excuses for this indifference, and at other times, we’re not even that concerned.  We might say we’re tired, we’re overburdened or we’re burnt out.  In fact, it’s a lot easier on us and on our conscience to think that what we do or say makes no difference.  The truth, however, is just the opposite!  God needs us…He needs our small hands and hearts and wills to impact society, one person at a time.  God needs and uses us so that in the end, His handiwork will be evident.

So this Advent, I say, (to myself and others) – - - stand up, be ready … to answer God’s call, to make a difference, even to speak His Powerful Words in your small, pitiful voice!  He needs you and the world needs you!  Yes, you are a snowflake, but each one of us, (even if we are a bunch of flakes) is necessary for God to let a blizzard of His love fall on the earth!

How Much Does a Snowflake Weigh?

It was deep winter and the snow was falling steadily upon the hillside.

A tiny mouse crept out of its hole for a little break in its long winter sleep. Drowsily, the little mouse looked around and twitched its whiskers, and would have gone back to sleep inside its hole, had not a tiny voice echoed from somewhere out there in the white winter world: “Hello, little mouse. Can’t you sleep?”

The mouse looked around and caught sight of a tiny bird sitting, shivering, on a bare branch just overhead. “Hello, Jenny Wren,” said the mouse, pleased to find some company on this bleak day. “I just came up for a bit of air before I go back to sleep for the rest of the winter.”

But it was so good to find company that for a while, the mouse and the wren sat there together, huddled beneath the lowest branches of a pine tree, watching the snow falling and enjoying a little congenial conversation.

“How much do you think a snowflake weighs?” the mouse asked the wren suddenly.

“A snowflake weighs almost nothing,” the wren replied. “A snowflake is so insignificant, it carries almost no weight at all. How could you possibly weigh a snowflake?”

“Oh, I disagree,” said the mouse. “In fact, I can tell you that last winter, around this time, I woke up from my winter dreaming and came out here for a breath of fresh air, and because I had no companions and nothing better to do, I sat here counting the snowflakes as they fell. I watched them settling on these branches, and covering the pine needles with a blanket of whiteness. I got as far as two million, four hundred and ninety-two thousand, three hundred and fifty-nine. And then—when the very next snowflake fell and settled on the branch—the branch dropped right down to the ground and all the snow slid off it. So you see, just that one last snowflake weighed enough to make the branch sink down and all the snow slide off. So a snowflake does weigh something. It does make a difference!”

The wren, who was only a tiny, little bird herself and didn’t think she had much influence on the great, big world around her, pondered for a long time over the mouse’s story. “Perhaps,” she thought to herself, “it really is true that just one little voice can make a difference.”

God repays…

When I was a few years a Sister, I remember Fr. Ken Shaw, SDB, giving away the last turkey the Salesian priests had in their refrigerator to a woman who by all external appearances, was not really in need.  All the priests were fine with having something else for Thanksgiving, but I remember being shocked.  I asked him how and why he would do such a thing…  He told me we are never wrong to do what is charitable.  That thought has stayed with me for many years, and resurfaced when I received this lengthy, but well-worthwhile email.  A good friend of mine sent it to me…and it really made me think.  We never know the good that we do and how or when it will be returned to us.  In the end, though, the kindness we show often comes back to us.  We are never wrong to do what is charitable…

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.

“Leave me alone,” he growled… To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling — her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

“No,” he answered sarcastically. “I’ve just come from dining with the president. Now go away.”
The woman’s smile became even broader.

Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. “What are you doing, lady?” the man asked angrily. “I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. “Is there any problem, ma’am?” he asked..

“No problem here, officer,” the woman answered. “I’m just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?”

The officer scratched his head. “That’s old Jack. He’s been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?”

“See that cafeteria over there?” she asked. “I’m going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile.”

“Are you crazy, lady?” the homeless man resisted. “I don’t want to go in there!” Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.

“Let me go, officer. I didn’t do anything.”

“This is a good deal for you, Jack,” the officer answered. “Don’t blow it.”

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. “What’s going on here, officer?” he asked.”What is all this, is this man in trouble?”

“This lady brought this man in here to be fed,” the policeman answered.
“Not in here!” the manager replied angrily. “Having a person like that here is bad for business.”

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. “See, lady. I told you so. Now if you’ll let me go. I didn’t want to come here in the first place.”

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. “Sir, are you familiar with Eddy andAssociates, the banking firm down the street?”

“Of course I am,” the manager answered impatiently. “They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms.”

“And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?”

“What business is that of yours?”

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company.”

“Oh.”

The woman smiled again. “I thought that might make a difference.”

She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. “Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?”

“No thanks, ma’am,” the officer replied. “I’m on duty.”

“Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?”

“Yes, ma’am. That would be very nice.”

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. “I’ll get your coffee for you right away, officer.”

The officer watched him walk away. “You certainly put him in his place,” he said. “That was not my intent… Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this.”

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.

“Jack, do you remember me?” Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. “I think so — I mean you do look familiar.”

“I’m a little older perhaps,” she said. “Maybe I’ve even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry.”

“Ma’am?” the officer said questioningly. He couldn’t believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

“I was just out of college,” the woman began. “I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn’t find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat.”

Jack lit up with a smile. “Now I remember,” he said. “I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy.”

“I know,” the woman continued. “Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right.”

“So you started your own business?” Old Jack said.

“I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.” She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. “When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He’s the personnel director of my company. I’ll go talk to him now and I’m certain he’ll find something for you to do around the office.”

She smiled. “I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you.”

There were tears in the old man’s eyes. “How can I ever thank you?” he asked.

“Don’t thank me,” the woman answered. “To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus… He led me to you.”

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. “Thank you for all your help, officer,” she said.

“On the contrary, Ms. Eddy,” he answered. “Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And…And thank you for the coffee.”

If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.
If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.
But, if you have missed knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you have missed everything in the world.

So, today, do something for someone in need.  Reach out your hand and your heart to someone, and regardless of whether or not you understand how, know that God will adequately repay you!

Memorial Day

There are so many things in life for which we should be grateful, and so many gifts God showers on us in His goodness, that often, we have a great deal of confusion in choosing which of these gifts are of greatest value. 

One gift I often speak about is the gift of life – the gift that God gave us and our parents collaborated with to allow us to be  here.  So many take this gift for granted; so many abuse this gift, yet to us, it is freely given.  Perhaps this is why I feel so strongly about the pro-life cause.  Life is sacred.  It is given to us freely; I feel responsible to be grateful for my life and to speak out to protect the lives of those who are most vulnerable.

Another of the great gifts we have here in the US is freedom.  A precious commodity, since so many want to squash freedom in the name of living a life that is in conformity with God – but the very fact that we are free to love and serve God is a blessing, and one that has been given us at an incredible cost.

In August, one of the young women who will be entering as an Aspirant with us, God-willing, is a woman who has served in our armed forces for a number of years.  When she originally wrote asking about entering, my first words to her were words of thanks.  So today, as we honor our troops, and remember the great sacrifice that so many have made for us, let’s pray for them.  Let’s pray for the safety of our troops overseas.  Remember, although they didn’t know us personally, or know whether or not we are worthy of such a gift, they were still ready to offer this gift for our freedom – the gift of their own life.

The Simple Truths of Service Movie

 

Sometimes, we think service has a lot to do with performing great acts…it’s about working our tail off for others.  In reality, this is not exactly the case.  It’s much more about how we are able to reach the heart of another person by sharing our inner selves.  Of course, in our American pragmatic world, this can sometimes be uncomfortable for us, but it shows us how we are called to open ourselves to others and reach out in the simplest of ways to them.

The movie below is beautiful.  It shows how we are called to give to one another.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we are no longer servants, but friends. Let’s treat one another as friends, and as Jesus exhorts us, serve and love one another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

more about “The Simple Truths of Service Movie“, posted with vodpod

 

 

 

 

 

 

My New Hero: Ben Stein

I barely know Ben Stein.  In fact, I’ve seen him only a few times, and always on film (well, actually, probably digitally recorded).  He seems, however to be a man of great common sense.  Ben Stein has become my new hero…

The other night, I watched a film (thank you, Sussex County Public Library), called Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.  I was happy to see Ben Stein suggest Intelligent Design as a possible means to explain creation.  Beyond promoting Intelligent Design, Mr. Stein focuses on the need for freedom of thought.  Of course, I am in favor of both.  Incredibly, many scientists would much rather agree to the theory of cells forming ON chrystals, or worse, that aliens planted us here!  If this is what the “intelligencia” of America believes, we are in trouble!

If you have not seen the movie, it might be worth your while to see the trailer.  You can see it below:

Now that you have seen the preview, I would urge you to see the complete film.  Stein’s documentation of the defamation of scientists open to the Intelligent Design Theory is enlightening.  His common-sense approach to science and its conceivable relationship to religion are incredible.  His ability to draw Darwinism to its logical conclusion – the creation of a perfect race, not unlike what Hitler did in Nazi Germany, is shocking. 

Seeing that America has just elected a president who is more pro-abortion than even Bill Clinton was, I am preoccupied about where we are heading.  Does the average American think it is better to kill off the unborn who are not “fit” for survival? In our search to be pragmatic, to make sense and have things work, we have forgotten this:  Life comes from God.  It is a gift.  More than being priced or valued, life is to be cherished.

As Mother Theresa of Calcutta said,
It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.

Funerals, and why Don Bosco said, “A piece of heaven fixes everything.”

 There is something powerful about gathering as a family after a loss.  At a funeral mass today, as we walked by the coffin, there was no denying the death that had been undergone, the finality of the loss, or the silent suffering of a family that has said goodbye to a significant member.

At the funeral for my friend’s father, the words she spoke last night came to mind.  “He was a good and holy man, who lived a life that was faithful and true,” she said.  She told us Sisters how after his wife left him for someone else, he cared for the kids, and never even thought of remarrying.  His vows were for life.  What a beautiful example of fidelity in marriage.  And, she said, “He was also faithful to God,” bringing those children to weekly mass.  Apparently, this man worked three jobs, and returning after 2 a.m., he brought the kids to weekly Mass, just the same.

In our world which is so affected by a lack of fidelity – less that 20% of Catholics practice their religion, we are told, and in a time when divorce prevails – some 50% of those who are married today will be divorced – it is impressive to see someone who was so upright in remaining faithful to both human and divine commitments.  What a beautiful message to his children and grandchildren this man sent.  His silent refusal to go along and “move on” without fulfilling his first promise speaks loudly to me of what is meant when we say we will be “true to death”.  His witness of following the third Commandment, even though he could easily have excused himself for exhaustion, speaks of really putting God first!

One of my favorite sayings of Don Bosco is, “A piece of heaven fixes everything.”  I love that saying because in so many ways, it rings true in my life….it forces me to ask, “What is really important?”  “What really matters?”  “In the end, when I stand before God, will this truly be important?”  I wish I had known my friend’s dad personally.  I’d like to thank him for making this all so real, for making me realize how little things are irrelevant when we think of our eternity with God.

A friend of mine teases me, saying I often reply, “Whatever.”  I guess that is because in my childhood, my parents always reminded us that what most preterbs us is frequently of little or no consequence.  So, Don Bosco and Joe and RoseMary Clair had a lot in common.   They all looked much more at the big picture and the eternal importance of so many very little things.

Today, I promise to recall what is really important, and to focus on that so as to grow closer to God.  After a few years – 80 or so – that is all that will truly matter!

O Holy Night (And Gifts that are Given)

A friend of mine sent this to me.  It is one of my favorite songs, and I especially love when Sr. Suzanne Dauwalter sings it.  Sr. Suzanne is our Provincial Economer, and her voice is simply God’s gift.  She has never been trained, but her voice has the character and quality of these women, who have had years of training, I’m sure.  Sr. Suzanne will often sing at our events in the province.  She is usually very nervous before singing, and often downplays the great gift that has been given to her…but her willingness to share it and to sing for us and to praise God is always there.

As we come to the end of Advent, and the beginning of the amazing season of Christmas, I cannot help but thank God for His many gifts.  He is lavish in what He has given to me, and in what He has shared with others.  During this time, I hope that you will be able to sit and recognize His gifts to you, and to think about how you can use these gifts to further His glory and to help those around you.

This Christmas, on this “Holy Night,” think about these talents, these gifts, and give them back.  Share them with the people around you – your loved ones, friends, and neighbors.  You may think little of what you have received, but I can guarantee that what you share will benefit those who are recipients.

“Twittering” at NCCYM…

Yep, it really happened…  No, I’m not kidding – I’m thinking of investing in one of these t-shirts.  Have you seen them?  Really, I have to thank my friend Alicia for introducing me to this phrase at all, but now, I can actually say, in my great humility…(*ahem…quit laughing those of  you who know me well)…that I’m feeling like, “I’m kind of a big deal!” 

Here’s the whole story:  The other day, I get an email asking if I know Anne Marie Cribbins.  Yes, I write back…thinking she is either very sick or in need of help, or some tragedy has befallen her or something.  Well, it turns out, Anne Marie suggested me for a project, one I’m thrilled to be part of.  Here’s the plan – and if  you love “techie” stuff, this is right up your alley…

I will be one of a few people “Twittering” about the National Conference of Catholic Youth Ministers (NCCYM) to take place in Cleveland in December.  Twitter is a cool site.  You can update what you are doing in just a few words - from your cell (yes, you can post to a blog from a cell!!!) or your computer.  It’s pretty incredible.  So as I experience the NCCYM, I can just give short feedback or impressions…share thoughts about talks, inspirations, etc. 

Now, here’s the cool part.  There is a whole set of people who will be Twittering about the NCCYM at this site:  http://www.nccymmicroblog.2smallcoins.org/  We’re giving our “two small coins” as input.  I hope the Lord realizes it’s all I have!

Happiness – the Road to Sanctity

One of the characteristics of Salesian holiness is happiness.  In fact, we know how often we see a child who has just received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and we know how happy they are as they leave, to be in a state of grace.  I know I have had this same sensation, and have heard others speak of it.

Smiling Saint

In his lifetime, St. John Bosco often encouraged the young people he worked with to be happy.  There is something simple and child-like about joy and Jesus told us to become like little children.  St. Dominic Savio, one of St. John Bosco’s pupils even began a group called, “The Society of Happiness.”  

Here we can see a picture of Don Bosco, taken in the 1800’s.  Go ahead and look at many other pictures from that era and you will see something different about “Johnny B” as some of the kids in our schools affectionately call him…yes, this Saint, this man of the 1800’s is there with a full smile on his face.  It’s amazing to see and evident that the joy he nurtured in his heart evidently spilled over!

Mother Mazzarello, the Co-Foundress of the Salesian Sisters, together with Don Bosco is seen in very few photos.  This is because she lived in a very rural and remote part of Italy, and unlike John Bosco, was not near the city.  In both pictures we have, Mother Mazzarello was very sick, so her face lacks the smile that is common in so many of Don Bosco’s pictures.  But what we do have are the words of our Mother.  “Happiness,” she said, “is a sign of a heart that loves the Lord very much.” 

Today, I would encourage all of us to think about and promote joy in ourselves and in others.  It’s All Saints’ Day!  Maybe we need to begin again; maybe it’s time to go to Confession, but God calls us to that immense joy that cannot be taken from us.  Let’s not only nurture joy in ourselves, but by our good deeds and great kindness, promote joy in others.

Below, I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite videos.  I’ve seen groups of adults crack up at little Ethan, and his happiness at the simplest things in life.  My wish for you: that you can live this child-like simplicity and be fully happy…it is a sure road to holiness and a sign that you are in God’s grace.