CSA OFFICE OF VOCATION DISCERNMENT

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1 CSA OFFICE OF VOCATION DISCERNMENT Paradoxically the more deeply inward we go and the more we live in deep awareness of our own sacred center and source, the more universal we become; the more we grow in awareness of our deep unity with all peoples. The joys and sufferings of the world s people are our joys and sufferings. We are part of one humanity. The struggles and hopes of the world s people are our struggles and hopes. Their loss is our loss. Their discovery and growth is our discovery and growth. (Patricia Mische, Whole Earth Papers #16, Global Education Associates) MU! set up of computers and TV s. On Friday, August 27, Marian University s new students arrived on campus. They moved in with couches, refrigerators, LCD HDTV s, stereos, mattresses, and of course, items for classes! Paul Osterholm (CSA Associate), Director of Common Grounds, coordinated the teams of movers along with Julie Gniewek and many other committee members. With lightning speed the movers and mentors unloaded the incoming vehicles, carried the items to the designated floors where all precious belongings were unloaded and the IT department was ready to assist in the Outside a variety of booths lined the walkways with friendly folks extending a welcome from Marian University to families, friends, and relatives as the graduating class of 2014 arrived. Thanks to Sisters Marie Scott of Campus Ministry and Cyndi Nienhaus of the Office of University Mission, a CSA Hospitality Booth was provided on the campus east of the Common Ground coffee house, offering free beverages and snacks along with CSA pens, lanyards, and pizza cutters.

2 CSA was also there to greet new students, families and friends. Other returning students, as well as Marian s reliable staff, were also available to help as mentors and move-in muscle to make the transition from car to dorm room almost hassle free. Thanks to Sisters Marie and Cyndi for all their planning and efforts to make this annual event a reality and to all the other CSAs that helped to staff the booth, Sisters: Emily Schug, Mary Louise Scheuerell, Jean Braun, Cecile Marie Kees, Mary Beth Wilhelm, Margaret Lorimer, Stella Marie Karls, Collean Walsh, Ruth Ann Baudry, Mary Rose Meis, Caryl Hartjes, Sue Seeby, and Jean Hinderer. Submitted by Sister Jean Hinderer Sisters Emily Schug and Marie Scott Sister Sue Seeby Sister Jean Braun and Mary Louise Scheuerell with Julie Gniewek, Director of Student Activities 2

3 Sisters Stella Marie Karls, Margaret Lorimer, and Marie Scott Sister Emily Schug Dr. Mary Polchert (School of Nursing), Sisters Colleen Walsh, Mary Rose Meis and Ruth Ann Baudry Sisters Cyndi Nienhaus and Mary Louise Scheuerell Sister Caryl Hartjes and Becky H. Sisters Emily Schug, Sue Seeby, and Caryl Hartjes with Kelsey B. Sisters Mary Beth Wilhelm, Cecile Marie Kees, and Emily Schug 3

4 Windows of Opportunity When Sister Jean and I sat down to discuss our hopes and dreams for our ministry in the coming year, the Woman and Spirit traveling exhibit was much on our minds. We realized that we too wanted to get the story of women religious (especially as we in CSA live it) out there into public awareness. We wanted to open up a window to the wonderful things that are happening in CSA and to invite as many people as possible to explore with us what journeying with CSA might mean to their lives and to us. So we planned a series of programs called Windows of Opportunity! Of course we have events specifically planned for women who wish to discern a call to vowed religious life, but we also are offering the following programs as a window into CSA: House Call an opportunity for anyone to come and participate in a tour of our motherhouse, to celebrate liturgy with the community, join us for lunch and learn about our ministries. Mission Movers individual days of reflection open to parish vocation teams, women s spirituality groups, social justice committees, Christian formation directors, campus ministers and others who desire to attend. The scheduled topics are Sisters in Alternative Healthcare, CSA Associates, Sisters in Education and Servant Leadership. Each day offers a different presenter with the opportunity to share her mission in CSA. The program Exploring Your Inner Space offers women ages 18 to 28 a chance to ask themselves Where is God my life? and to seek answers with other women on a similar journey. The Wisdom of the Windows! This day features reflections on the art of the windows of our chapel and invites participants to ponder the implications of that imagery in their lives. We are especially excited that in February we will be offering A Window for God s Sake! Dr. Bren Murphy of Loyola University, Chicago presents, Veiled Threats: The Image of Catholic Religious in Popular Culture along with her documentary A Change of Habit. Surely this presentation will be of interest to all of us in CSA as we explore what it means to be ecclesial women. In addition, this event at the Stayer Center at Marian University will be held in conjunction with a Fair that will provide interested men and women in attendance information about vowed religious life, volunteer opportunities, and Associate opportunities available in a number of men s and women s congregations. Hopefully, at this point you are saying to yourself that this information is not new to you! Those of us who attended CSA days received a copy of the Windows of Opportunity! brochure, and an reminder went out as well. We have posted it on our CSA website and mailed it out far and wide; however, the reality is we cannot have the kind of participation we hope for unless each of us reaches out and invites people to come. Slick brochures and online graphics are no substitute for face to face contact; it is as plain as that. I invite you to reflect on the following question, What can I do to make our Windows of Opportunity program a success? Please feel free to contact the vocation office for copies of our brochure or for anything else that will assist you in spreading the word about CSA; we have a lot of items available to help as you get the word out about us. Submitted by Sister Susan Seeby, CSA 4

5 CAVA and VMMA - More Than Alphabet Soup Fall is a time when there is a lot of energy for change around us. The leaves are taking on color, children are returning to school, and as the temperature drops, we in the north dig through the closet for sweaters. Fall is also the time when my role as Vocation Promoter kicks up a few notches. This year, in addition to our own CSA vocation discernment program, I am a member of the Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association (CAVA) and the Vocation Ministers of the Milwaukee Archdiocese (VMMA). I am proud to say that Jean Hinderer was elected co-president of VMMA this year, so we as CSA will be well represented at VMMA activities in the Milwaukee area. You may be wondering what these associations mean. CAVA and VMMA not only provide a support network for those of us ministering in vocation discernment, they also act as coordinating committees/clearing houses for events such as grade school visits, Busy Persons Retreats at the many public and private universities in Chicago and Milwaukee, and parish vocation fairs and discussion panels throughout both dioceses. My calendar is rapidly filling up with visits to grade schools in Chicago and Milwaukee and I am scheduled to participate in Busy Persons retreats both at the University of Chicago and Marian University. (The Marian BPR being arranged through CSA.) In addition to the opportunity to participate in various vocation activities, these associations promote CSA events on their websites, and they also provide a link to our CSA website as well. CAVA and VMMA - It is all about being and building community! Speaking of being and building community, as Vocation Promoter I am available to assist you with vocation teams, panels on religious life, Busy Persons Retreats, vocation fairs, presentations in parishes, schools, and other spiritual and informational settings. Wherever you are we rely on you to be the Vocation Promoter, but neither you nor I need to do this alone contact me at vocations@csasisters.org, and together we will spread the news about CSA. Submitted by Sister Susan Seeby, CSA 5