Responding to God’s Invitation: Vocations in Our Midst

This week the Church in the United States celebrated National Vocations Awareness Week (NVAW). Begun in 1976, NVAW is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. It is a wonderful opportunity for both the young and old to learn about vocations, as well as pray for and support those discerning a call to one of these vocations. 

I would like to focus this weekend on women’s consecrated life. Religious sisters are a vital part of the Church. They are powerhouses of prayer and service. Active sisters give of themselves to minister to the sick and the dying, serve the poor, educate children and adults, or guide the faithful on their faith journeys. Contemplative sisters offer themselves in prayer for the Church. Our parish has been very blessed to be lifted up in prayer by the Carmelite Sisters located in Hudson for over 62 years.  

It is my joy to share with you all that I have discerned a vocation to be a sister with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians - Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, generally known as the Salesian Sisters. The Salesian Sisters are primarily dedicated to serving the young, through education, youth and young adult ministry, summer camps, outreach programs for disadvantaged women and children, and more. 

Throughout my discernment journey, I have been blessed by our Saint Patrick Parish family in many ways. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to invite you all with me on this journey towards entering the next chapter of my life with Christ. As a next step towards formation, the Salesian Sisters and I have partnered with The Labouré Society, a Catholic non-profit 501(c)(3), to help overcome the obstacle of education expenses. 

I’m thankful for the support of Father John, Father Dan, and the parish staff in this work. I humbly ask my parish family here for prayers and support as my Labouré classmates and I work towards entering the next stage of formation. If you would like to know more about my vocation journey and my work with The Labouré Society, I would love to speak with you individually. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email: brigitta@rescuevocations.org.

I hope you will join me this weekend in praying for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life, as well as praying for all the men and women in active vocations as they strive to love the Lord and serve His Church. 

In Christ,
Brigitta Kaiser