Vocations Newsletter

“And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age.”Matthew 28:20Jesus had one mission in mind for his apostles—and for us: Transform the world as you have been transformed.This is what we celebrate today on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity: our calling to go out into the world in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as the Father sent his Son to redeem the world, Jesus sent the Spirit to fortify us in proclaiming the Good News of salvation. With the gift of the Spirit—our personal Pentecost—we have all the tools we need to witness Christ’s compassion and God’s eternal love.At the same time, Jesus understood that the apostles would have moments of doubt. That’s why he reassured them—and now us—with words of comfort. He said he will be in our presence always, an endless reservoir of strength and good will.Matthew’s gospel reminds us that living our faith happens in relationships… how well we care for one another… how well we live our baptismal call to serve… and how well we teach others by modeling the Gospel. Acts of compassion beget more acts of compassion. That is the nature…
Read more >

The apostles needed to know more. Would their Risen Lord restore the kingdom to Israel? Would they finally be in control? Obviously, that was their idea of heaven—being in charge of their own fate at long last. That’s when Jesus told them they would receive another kind of power—from the Holy Spirit—“And you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” And with that Jesus was lifted up and a cloud took him from their sight.
Read more >

“When leaders live up to their solemn responsibilities and commitments, they can be the difference between light and darkness, hope and despair, life and death for the people whom they have the privilege of serving and protecting. In the final analysis, true leadership is forged in the vicarious crucible of crisis.”Through an examination of Pope Francis’s words and actions during the coronavirus pandemic, Fr. Orobator finds a model of leadership for a suffering world.
Read more >

“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you…”John 15:16Remembering and celebrating her on Mother’s Day… That’s how I will honor my mother today—remembering how kind she was and celebrating her many gifts, especially the faith she gave me.Some of us are fortunate to have our Moms with us today. Some of us have entrusted her to God and the saints. However you remember your mother today, I will pray for you both at Mass, asking our Blessed Mother in particular to hold you close.We all have special memories of Mother’s Day growing up and I certainly have mine. My mother is the one who first modeled prayer and the Sacraments. She taught me the virtues of respect and compassion, and also forgiveness. Later as an adult and young missioner in Bolivia, I learned new lessons about motherhood. When Bolivians observe Mother’s Day, the world might as well come to a complete stop. You just spend time with your mother—no excuses! Watching their joyous family celebrations, I learned something new. Central to the Bolivians’ understanding of a mother’s love is the connection to their other provider, the earth—a spirit they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. How extraordinary……
Read more >