Good Shepherd Sunday - Fr Will Homily

When I was young, my cousin and I used to play these imaginary Lord of the Rings sword-fighting games. In all honesty, we only stopped playing these games last year. But in all honesty, these games would eventually end up in arguments over who was going to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. But we both had this heroic, self-sacrificial complex that would express itself in our play. Hearing Jesus’ words today, in our Gospel, I am the Good Shepherd and the Good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, speaks to my being and to the child within, I hope in some way, it also appeals to you with the same vigour.

Today is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday, with a specific focus on priests, bishops, and the Pope, but today I want to extend that to all the baptised faithful, you, who are shepherds in your workplaces, in your family, at school or with the sporting club. Friends, put on the mind of the shepherd and take on the heart of the shepherd so that we might act like the Shepherd. Allow me to highlight three main points. Firstly, it is important to know God through prayer. Secondly, we should allow our hearts to fall in love with God and the flock, and finally, we should be led into self-sacrificial action. 

The most important thing to keep in mind as shepherds is that we all look to the Good Shepherd, who is none other than Jesus himself. Without Jesus, we’re just hired men and women, as we heard about in our Gospel today. And keep in mind, too, that the hired person gets paid, but the shepherd freely and generously gives.

Now, anyone can be a shepherd, but not everyone is a Good Shepherd. A Good Shepherd operates out of their need and reliance on God, who is the source of goodness. So, I think naturally, our first step, as shepherds of God’s people, is to return to God so that we can know God; how can we know God? Through prayer!

Woe to us if we do not pray to God and keep that connection alive in our lives, especially as Shepherds, we become just a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. To pray, then, is to raise the mind and heart to God, and if we learn to do this constantly, we take on what St. Paul talks about in his letter to the Thessalonians when he says, ‘pray without ceasing.’

Now, as a point of clarification, by knowledge of God, I don’t mean superficial knowledge, but the same kind of knowledge Jesus speaks of in our Gospel today between him and the Father. We know eternally that the Trinitarian God is the only love triangle in all of history that works. It puts complete shame on Twilight, Riverdale and Dawson’s Creek. This, friends, is an inseparable, active oneness to infinity and beyond. 

That’s the kind of knowledge of God we’re invited into as Shepherds.

Returning to God has multiple effects on our lives, and perhaps the principal effect is falling in love with God and God’s people, which is our second point. I want to approach this differently by providing us with a test instead. Here, I want to call to mind a wonderful character from the Gospel of Luke: the older brother of the parable of the Prodigal Son. 

I absolutely praise the Lord when I witness the wonders God has accomplished through them. However, as I watch God do amazing things, I couldn’t help but feel like the older brother of the Prodigal Son, of whom Shannon Noll basically wrote the song, ‘What about me? It isn’t fair!’ What we often miss in relating to the older brother of this parable is what the father says to him. The Father says, ‘Everything I have is yours.’ Now, here’s a good way to test if we’ve really taken on the mind and heart of the Good Shepherd. If something good happens for our neighbour, rather than feeling jealousy and envy, we rejoice and join the celebration the heavenly father is hosting – remembering what the Father says, ‘Everything I have is yours.’ I certainly have a long way to go, but I want to be part of the party, if you’re in the same boat then let’s give this disposition humbly God. 

Finally, the Good Shepherd, as we heard Jesus say, is the one who lays down their life for the Sheep. The greatest act that models the Good Shepherd is the sacrifice of Jesus, who even on the cross said, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ While this may not be the reality for us one day, the opportunity to lay down your life, in other ways, still presents itself to us. Whether we lay down our time for our neighbour, perhaps we might lay down our talent for the Church and the community. Whatever the case, may our hearts come alive to the opportunity that as we model the Good Shepherd, we might begin by returning to Jesus in prayer, allowing our hearts to blaze with the love of the Shepherd so that, as the opportunity arises, we might actively give ourselves freely to one another as Jesus gave it all for us. Amen.

Homily of Fr Will Iuliano for Good Shepherd Sunday, 21st of April 2024.

Fr Will is a mentor priest for men in the Canali Program, in addition to being the Parish Priest of the Dutton Park and St Mary’s South Brisbane, and Chaplain to the Emmanuel Community.

Women's Discernment Events 2023

Vocation Brisbane has recently run two women’s discernment events – Quo Vadis for Women and Archbishops Dinner for Women. These events were specifically designed to empower and uplift women in Brisbane who are discerning a call to religious life or single life.

Both events were a huge success, with attendees able to ask new questions in their vocation journeys. This post will delve deeper into both events, exploring the themes, speakers, and overall impact on participants.

Quo Vadis for Women 2023

Quo Vadis for Women 2023, held on the 29th of April, there were 11 candidates discerning consecrated life gathered at the Santa Teresa Spirituality Center. It was a full-day retreat with times of personal prayer, adoration and sharing, enabling young women to ponder in the silence of their hearts where God might be calling them. Sr. Ursula O’Rourke journeyed with us throughout the day and shared on the Christian call, discernment, and consecrated life in today’s society with her personal journey as a Good Shepherd Sister.

We were also joined by Fr. Thomas McFadden who celebrated Mass and Reconciliation for us. It was inspirational in encouraging the retreatants not to be afraid to respond if God is calling them to religious life. Coincidentally, it was the feast day of St Catherine of Sienna, in which Fr Thomas highlighted her life and call of service to the Church.

During the day, we had the opportunity to visit the Carmelite monastery, meeting with 10 Carmelite Nuns from their community. They shared about their daily life, community, and prayer life, which was a surprise gift to most of these young women. They are so impressed with how they are so joyful and happy in their lives. The Sister sang a little prayer of “My Vocation is Love” like a heavenly choir for us to enjoy.

Everyone left the day desiring more in their lives, being excited to discern further with like-minded women, feeling like they were ‘in it together’ in a special unity of walking together.

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Archbishops Dinner for Women 2023

There are 12 women who are interested in discerning a religious vocation and joined Archbishop Mark Coleridge for an evening meal and informal discussion at Wynberg on Thursday, 1st June 2023.

It was a wonderful and exciting night hearing the archbishop sharing his journey of discernment to Priesthood and his vision on the call to Religious life in the Church. He encourages the women to take on the step to say “Yes” Try it out, and you will lose nothing

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If you are interested in coming to future women’s discernment events, please contact Sr Theresa Maria Dao at daot@bne.catholic.net.au for upcoming dates and more details.

FATHER FRANCIS FERNANDES

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF LETTING GOD SPEAK INTO YOUR LIFE

Would I Make a Good Priest?

I didn’t always want to be a priest. I had wanted to be a priest as a kid, but the desire faded away as I grew. By the time I was applying to university through QTAC in 2012, I definitely did not want to be a priest. I wanted to get married and work either as an engineer or industrial designer and recall being a little anxious that God might have other plans.

My time discerning between engineering and industrial design was a time of confusion and uncertainty. Many voices were offering conflicting advice, and they all seemed correct. Some people said, “Do what you love!” other more practical people said, “do what brings in the money!” Still, others said, “God wants what you want!” To cut a long story short, I gave one course a go and found neither of the two careers were realistic options for me. It was a time of dissatisfaction.

That dissatisfaction, however, opened me up to letting God speak his Good News into my life. I visited the vocations office and various discernment events and was surprised at how much priesthood resonated with me. The things I loved best about industrial design and engineering - that they brought joy and comfort into people’s lives – were things that I could do on a deeper level as a priest. God didn’t annihilate my passions; in fact, he deepened them.

I was fortunate to have chatted with a certain seminarian on one of my Quo Vadis weekends (he is now a priest in the Brisbane Archdiocese). I asked him if he was excited about getting ordained. He responded by saying that he didn’t see himself as being in the seminary to be ordained but to actively discern if God was calling him to the priesthood. Though I wasn’t afraid of stepping into the seminary, I do remember thinking then, “so I won’t be locked in if I give it a go!” Thus, to discern well and leave the seminary journey would have been as much a success as discerning to stay on. So I entered Canali House in 2014 and joined the seminary the following year.

I suppose a challenge I encountered during my time in the seminary was dealing with the question of whether I would make a good priest or not. It was not a crushing concern, but it crossed my mind on several occasions, especially when I became conscious of the areas in my life which still needed growth. The turning point came during my thirty-day retreat in my fifth year. In that time, I got to explore with Jesus all the underlying concerns, assumptions and baggage I was carrying in me. I saw myself more clearly, let go of a lot, and trusted God to continue leading me as I went out into ministry.

To you, the reader, I offer brotherly encouragement. Do not be afraid of letting God speak into your life. To paraphrase St. Augustine, God is closer to us than we are to ourselves. A good discernment begins with daily prayer. Also, remember not to discern alone! Find a priest or religious sister and journey together to explore what God and your own heart is saying to you. If even that is too much, I encourage you to at least pray for the desire to hear and heed God’s call.

SR MELISSA DWYER

DON’T WAIT TO BE PERFECT!

SEARCH FOR A SENSE OF PEACE

The Courage to Say “Yes”

One thing is certain, discerning God’s will for your life is not an easy task! There are so many great ways we can serve God, but discovering the vocational path that God calls us on, and having the courage to take the step to explore it, isn’t easy! God doesn’t send us a text message to tell us what to do, but I believe that the radical journey of becoming who God calls us to be is an exciting adventure.

The most important element of discernment is prayer. We need to ground ourselves in our personal relationship with God, and dare to ask God the question, “What do you want me to do for you?” Any vocational path, whether its married life, priesthood, religious life or single life, is about finding the ways we can fully express our love for God in daily life. The more we invest in growing in our love for God through giving time to prayer, the more clarity we discover around how we are called to live out this fullness of life in Christ.

It can be beneficial to have someone who is trusted and can help us to listen to what the Spirit is saying. This might be a Spiritual Director, a mentor or a trusted friend. It can often be wise to not talk to too many different people about your vocational discernment, as sometimes the more opinions we hear, the more confused we become!

Stepping out in faith is also important in our discernment journey. When I first considered Religious Life, I had no idea what it really meant to be a consecrated woman. In my journey of discernment, I was waiting for God to send me a sign. I’ve since discovered that God reveals Himself along the way. We don’t need to wait to have absolute 100% clarity before we begin to explore a possible vocational pathway, especially if it’s priesthood or religious life. We need the courage within to put out into the deep and trust that God is with us. Don’t wait to be perfect! Yet search for a sense of peace in the discernment space, for where you find peace is possibly where God is calling you.

Having God in your life, and seriously discerning God’s dream for you, is an ongoing process. When we say “yes” to God, it’s not only once. Living our vocation is about a daily response to God’s loving invitations in our lives. It helps me to remember that God doesn’t need our capacity, He needs our availability. The challenge is to trust God and have the courage to dare to be different.

At this moment in history, our Church and our world are so desperately in need of committed men and women who are willing to have God at the centre of their lives. Let us dare to be extraordinary in living out our love for God in daily life. And let us pray for the grace of open hearts to allow God to fulfil His dream for our lives – whatever that might look like!

TITTIT F. LEANO

“The LORD is my shepherd

I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

Psalm 23

LET GO...
LET GOD...

Coming to Australia was a big challenge, indeed, a leap of faith, so to speak, but “Let go and Let God” kept echoing in my mind. With so many questions unanswered and so many things to do, we left with much hesitation and uncertainty. With three young kids in tow, these doubts and uncertainties were made worse. But yes, just let go and let God, take that leap of faith was the best decision we have ever made, and there has been no looking back since.

We left for Australia in June 2001 whilst Rodel, my husband, arrived in February of the same year. He was employed to work in the Cardiovascular Research Group of the University of Queensland in South Brisbane. On his own for a few months, he was invited to attend a Christian Life Program conducted by Couples for Christ (CFC), a Catholic movement intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life. It was a much welcome invitation which he gladly accepted as he was homesick. Ironically, this community started in the Philippines, but Rodel and I never had an opportunity to join while we were back home. The Lord led us to “green pastures and still waters”, our adopted country, Australia, to be part of this beautiful community. Rodel’s faith journey had begun, and we, as a family, joined him as soon as we arrived. And the rest is history.

CFC is our extended family here. Our children started as part of our young family ministries. CFC is deemed a “Womb to Tomb” community where each member of the family has a place to be spiritually nourished. This is its unique aspect. Its vision… “Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth” and its mission ... To establish the church of the home and the church of the poor with family renewal as the heart of its mission. Although a Catholic movement, it remains open to non-Catholic Christians as members.

CFC has built within its ranks, priests and religious. One of our youth leaders joined the Sisters of Immaculata in Tasmania and two priests from Sydney and Canberra, to name a few. One is now at the Canali House discerning his vocation while one of our CFC leaders is undergoing the deacon formation program. Through God’s grace, the community has been SOMEHOW instrumental in their discernment. Our youth ministry has been actively participating in the Vocations Brisbane activities while some actively serve the parish as members of the pastoral council.

We have been in Australia for 20 years now. Our eldest son and the other young members who now have their own families have transitioned to CFC, bringing along their young families. This is what we are passionate about, passing on the baton to our younger generation, our future.

Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving to our God, who brought us here. The Lord has blessed us with this role to do His bidding, whatever and wherever it takes us, by sharing our time, talents and treasures that He alone has gifted us. As current Chapter Leaders of Couples for Christ Australia (Oceania Mission Ltd.), Rodel and I can joyfully acclaim, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

DEACON ADAM WALK

“ADAM, YOU AREN’T WORTHY, BUT THAT SHOULDN’T STOP YOU!”

Listen

This year’s Easter Vigil was the fifteenth anniversary of my entry into the Church. Receiving all of the sacraments of initiation was the first big milestone in a process of personal discernment that eventually led to my ordination as a deacon in November 2019.

My years of discernment have convinced me of several things, most importantly that God has a plan for every one of us, and that He gives us gifts and charisms to assist us in realising His plans. I have always marvelled at the diversity in the Church. People are called to serve God and His Church in such interesting ways, as a cursory look at the lives of the saints will confirm. Some combine a serious faith commitment with participation in secular professions. I have read of a Dominican sister who is a physician, a Jesuit brother who is an astronomer, and a Holy Cross priest who is a historian specialising in American presidents! Such examples helped me to accept that God might be calling me to be a deacon, while remaining committed to my marriage and my professional life.

I have never really had a problem trying new things, but I did struggle with a couple of aspects of discernment. First, was the sense of a lack of worthiness. Why on earth would God call me to anything, especially ordained ministry? As the Archbishop told me: “Adam, you aren’t worthy, but that shouldn’t stop you!” Second, I needed to learn to give up my normal preference for planning and being in control. Very early on, we were told that the Church discerns vocations, and it is clear to me there is a great deal of wisdom in this approach.

In the end, these struggles turned out to be positives in that they disposed me to the process of discernment and freed me to respond to God’s promptings without my plans and preferences drowning out the Holy Spirit. Now, I am left with a feeling of peace, knowing that I am, amidst my myriad inadequacies and occasional uncertainties, fulfilling God’s plan for my life. I trust that He will make up for whatever I lack.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome to our latest edition of Vocare for 2021, titled Good News.

This year has begun with Good News as Pope Francis announced it as the “Year of Saint Joseph”. I received this Good news, with a grateful heart. In his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde (A Father’s Heart) as well as in his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis offers us Saint Joseph as our patron and model, to inspire us to open again the doors to Christ and let him into our hearts. Saint Joseph’s example of daily leap into the dark with trust as he said Yes to God’s call, is a prophetic sign to us, that grace offers the single, steadfast, pathway through which we too can discern and respond to our individual vocations.

Everything is grace. A Yes to grace here and now in 2021 could be a Yes to a life of adventure with God. As we leap into the future with hope, the Yes of Saint Joseph inspires us to recreate our hearts to live our vocation as a gift for others. God looks on the heart (1 Sam 16: 7). One of the greatest legacies of Saint Joseph to Christian Vocations is the Cultivation of “This selfgiving, Yes-heart of the Father,” even in the face of the unknown.

As we stand before this dramatic turn in both vocations and human history, Saint Joseph gives us the courageous heart to leap into our own amazing joyful unknown of God. It is only those who joyfully enter into the uncharted vocational space of the unknown, with the God who also wants to be wrestled with, that will receive, celebrate, and announce this Good news.

When I was growing up, I was told that Australia was the end of the world. So naturally, I neither planned nor imagined that Australia would ever form part of my leap into the heart of God. If you are reading this vocare now, it is because you have also learned or are learning “to dream” and risk abandoning yourself and projects to grace.

Through the patronage of St Joseph your leap of Yes to God, as well as mine, becomes a fountain of living water for others, “like God’s living water flowing from the Temple”. Amazingly, our leap of Yes which becomes the Good-news is not the end of the journey.

It is only the beginning.

Saint Joseph, Pray for us.

Father Stanley Orji

SR MEL WILLIAMS

“THERE IS JOY WHEN THAT TRUTH IS FOUND.”

Abide in my Love
John 15:10

After sixty years of consecrated life as an Ursuline, there is a long way to look back but it is a look that brings great joy. Long before convent life the joy began with my parents, brother, sister and extended family. I believe that is where I learnt how God could love. Then boarding school with the Ursulines drew me into the world of intentional meditation as each morning before mass the sister in charge shared with us her contemplation of the day’s gospel. In class we were introduced to the Ignatian pattern of prayer as we assembled our own ‘little meditation books’ where we learnt to pray with the constant desire to ‘know, love and serve Him’.

I was drawn to the Ursulines because they were an attractive group of individual women and they were respectful and loving towards their students. To join a religious Order at this time was considered quite a wonderful thing to do because it was seen then as a valued way of life. In our more secular society today, I don’t think it is viewed the same way.

In the early years, I felt great fulfilment and satisfaction as a teacher of young women. Imparting knowledge is exciting but drawing out the individual possibilities and seeing how each young one can flourish is more so.

Much of my life has been in formation roles within the Order, firstly as directress in the Novitiate where young women came to see if they were called to religious consecration or not. Central to my role at this time was the close accompaniment of each one in order to help discern if this desire was from God. This close accompaniment demanded constant attentiveness, a deep respect for the person in formation, knowledge of the ways of God and among other things an ability to wait.

An accompanier, as the word indicates, is not one of the main players. This business is between God and the person and it is the role of the one accompanying to walk beside the novice, instructing her in prayer and practices which develop closeness to God. And to help her interpret what is happening. The one accompanying also has to observe the signs in the life and actions of the one in formation to see if this is where she is happy and fulfilled. Discernment is seeking the truth and there is joy when that truth is found. Joy at one remaining who goes on to take vows and joy when one leaves. No way of life is greater than another. Just different.

In my role as formator it has been necessary at every stage to have my own spiritual director to see more clearly where God is in my life. Supervision was most important for me when I became director of our International Tertianship. This is a seven-month time in Rome for Ursulines from various countries and it takes place for them about ten years after first profession. With a multicultural group of women from different backgrounds, ministries and experiences I had to constantly stop and reflect on my practice with a qualified person as supervisor so as to enable the best outcomes for the sisters. Both spiritual direction and supervision keep us from deluding ourselves and help us to be true!

FINAL PROFESSIONS

Remain in My Love…

On the day of our baptism we are brought into the love of God that knows no limits. It is the call of every baptised person to discover and live love.

Recently, the Archdiocese of Brisbane has been blessed to witness the final profession of vows of four young women who have chosen to respond to God’s call, devoting their lives to love as consecrated religious. Whilst they have done this through embracing different charisms, they share a common desire to lay down their lives for the service of their brothers and sisters.

Whilst there are many ways that one can serve the Church, the life-commitment of Srs Monique Singh, Theresia Maria, Teresa Monica and Teresa Francis bears witness to the truth that Religious Life is still a viable option for young people. Through embracing vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, they have availed themselves to witness to the God who draws them to himself.

Let us continue to pray that young women and men throughout the Australian Church will listen deeply to the invitation of God, and be open to a vocation to Religious Life.

ISAAC FALZON

“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME”

(PHIL 4: 13).

keeping my focus on His face

Saint Ignatius of Loyola once said, “you wish to reform the world? Reform yourself [first].” My entire discernment journey started (and will continue) with the want/need to become a better person. If I can be a better person, then I can be a better disciple.

Life has not always been smooth sailing for me; however, I should not complain in comparison to many people’s lives. By the age of fifteen, things were not going so well. I searched for meaning, purpose, and happiness in other people and material goods. This led me down a dark path; I was in serious trouble with many different people and authorities. I had developed various illnesses, and I was unhappy with who I was and who I was becoming. I continued this way of life for 12 years until I had a re-conversion experience on a mission trip in Uganda. To cut a long story short, Uganda led me to serve with Net Ministries, and Net Ministries played a part in me joining the Seminary in 2017.

The biggest challenge that I faced in my discernment journey was myself. I had lived a full and colourful life, and when I looked at those priests and Seminarians, I knew they all seemed so perfect to me. I questioned my abilities and worthiness. I thought, why me? There were many other people who I thought would be better suited to the role. But God did not call them, He called me, and I had to act. If everyone left important things up to those they thought would be better at the job, nothing would get done. God does not call the equipped; He equips the called.

As I discerned the right decision two things stood out to me. Firstly, I felt God saying to me that “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4: 13). I just needed to step out onto the water and keep my focus on His face and not the storm around me. If I believed that I could do it, if it was the work of God, and I worked hard, I could do anything, and everything would fall into place. Secondly, it was a simple decision; it was either a yes or a no, and I thought it was either a yes or no to God, so I felt that I had better say yes.

Despite all that went through my mind during my initial discernment, I have enjoyed every moment of the formation process. I have noticed that the reasons I joined the Seminary have not been the reasons I stayed in the Seminary and will most likely not be the reasons I will (potentially) be ordained. Namely, as I grow and change and my relationship with God deepens throughout this formation process, my goals, desires and dreams have deepened and changed as well.

Presently, I find and experience God the most during praise and worship and traditional liturgies. I feel God in equal amounts through listening to the likes of Emmanuel worship (‘desire’ is my favourite song) and in singing Latin or Gregorian chants. I am deeply attracted by the immense diversity, beauty, and potential that our Church, the sleeping giant, holds. I am in love with our mother Church, and I desire nothing more than to see her and the entire faithful shake with life and joy. And finally, I am very excited about my (potential) future ministry as a priest and the future of our great Church.

LAWRENCE (UCHENNA) EZEDINMA

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

My first vocation!

A soul in need reaching for meaning to life – this led me from Nigeria to Australia. I am a young man trying to discern my vocation. The idea that a career change and an exchange of culture would give meaning to my life was questioned a year after I arrived.

One Sunday at Mass, I saw a priest celebrate the liturgy with great joy despite getting around with a cane, when a voice came to me, ‘What are you waiting for?’ Young, single, Catholic, I was unable to shrug off the constant questioning.

I spent some time in the Canali Discernment Program, hoping I could get the questioning off my mind. This period was captured succinctly by the ever-visible tagline, ‘Where are you going?’ Through spiritual talks and exercises, I began to formulate my response, but it was only during a recent online meeting that the book To Save a Thousand Souls turned my ideas around: HOLINESS IS MY FIRST VOCATION. Yes, I had been putting the cart before the horse. I thought that I would become holy when I became a priest. Without first finding rest (holiness) in God, my soul remained restless. 

Holiness provides the spiritual compass to navigate the Christian journey, to respond to the question ‘Where are you going?’ with some clarity. I am coming to see holiness as perseverance in a way of life, continuously refined in the sacrament of reconciliation, refuelled in the Eucharist, and sanctified by the Paraclete.

The joy of this first vocation (holiness) will enable me to live out my secondary vocation – single life or marriage, holy orders or religious life – not as a burden, but as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

For now, the practice of living my first vocation allows for the journey towards the second vocation to be clearer, more joyful and worthwhile.

DEACON PETER PELLICAAN: The Greatest Adventure

THE JOY OF A VOCATION IS THAT YOU’RE CALLED TO PLAY A PART IN THE ACTIVITY OF GOD!

Imagine for a moment that God is real. Imagine that God is the source of all life, the author of love, the cause of all that is good, true and beautiful. Imagine that every person is specifically designed by this all powerful and holy God and that the deepest desire of every human heart is to encounter God.

Imagine that this loving and creative God revealed himself to humanity by becoming a man, and that this man would give up his life so that humanity could be reconciled to God. Imagine that this God who became man was inviting you to be a part of this divine plan! Imagine that God would continue to impart grace through people like you and I!

The joy of having a vocation is that you’ve come to see that this whole ‘God-thing’ is not simply a product of the human imagination. It is reality. This Jesus, God made flesh, is in fact more real than anything. He is the way, the truth and the life. The joy of a vocation is that you’re called to play a part in the activity of God. You’re called to be a minister of God’s grace in order that God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and life would f low through you to those you minister to. What could be more exciting, challenging, exhilarating, and life giving! What could be more of an adventure!

For me personally, the encounter with Jesus began in baptism when I was only a week or so old, but this baptismal grace came to life for me anew when I encountered Jesus at about the age of 8. This was followed with another significant moment at 14 where I had the distinct sense that God was calling me to give my life in service of the Church. Though this calling has manifested itself in different ways in a variety of contexts, it has been a constant conviction and a great joy.

There is nothing more life giving for me personally then being involved in someone else’s encounter with God. It’s incredible to accompany people as they first discover the furious love, forgiveness, grace and mercy of God. It is such a joy to see people find healing, wholeness, purpose and identity as they encounter Jesus and surrender to him. This vocation thing – as the Archbishop likes to say – is like signing a blank cheque, and it will cost you your life – but in it you’ll find more life than you could ever give away!

SISTER CATHERINE ANN THÉRÈSE OF THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST OCD

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT FROM GOD

My vocation as a Carmelite Nun is a wonderful gift, in which God continues to reveal new depths and surprises. You may think a life in an enclosed contemplative Order would be dull and boring, but I can honestly say the last 13 years within the monastery have flown by.

I never imagined I would serve God in a life of prayer. I always thought I would be in an active or missionary Order, as I love helping people. In High School, I knew I wanted to be a religious, but when I shared my desire, I only encountered mockery and discouragement. As a young adult while working as a preschool teacher, I kept praying, waiting and looking. I was very involved in my parish and did courses to deepen my understanding of the Catholic faith.

When the relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux came to Australia, I went to pray and received a special grace: a stillness with an overwhelming sense that God was with me, my vocation was not lost, and that St. Thérèse was an important link on my journey. Through this grace I regained confidence in the search for my vocation. I read Saint Thérèse’s book: ‘Story of a Soul’, and I longed to have the same intensity of love for God as she had. I discovered she was a Carmelite. I had never heard of that Order, so I made contact with the Carmelite Sisters.

Over the next three years I went on retreats run by the Carmelite Friars, I joined the Young Carmelite Group and kept in contact with the Carmelite Sisters. Gradually something resonated in my heart and I fell in love with Carmelite spirituality and the Carmelite saints. I discovered that prayer was Apostolic and Missionary, reaching out in love, to help the whole world.

I have been a fully professed Carmelite Sister for six years. As I become more aware of the indwelling presence of God, I encounter a peace and joy the world cannot give. I love the contrast in our life of solitude, silence and prayer, but also time together with the sisters in community. I am privileged to be in a community of supportive, joyful sisters, who strive to be beacons of faith and hope, and “Love in the heart of the Church”.

ARMANDO AND CLARICE, MARRIAGE: Two Imperfect People

THE SECRET TO KEEPING THE LOVE FIRE BURNING IS TO BEAR IN MIND TO MAKE A RECIPROCAL CALL AND MAKE OUR SPOUSE FEEL NUMBER ONE AND SPECIAL IN OUR RELATIONSHIP.

Prior to one’s wedding day, how many of us do any reading on marriages and relationships? Most of us embark on this sacramental journey with very little preparation, in fact, we think marriage, like parenthood becomes for us an ‘on the job’ learning situation.

As a society, we put so much emphasis into one day, which is our wedding day, and yet in a blink of an eye, the sun sets on that day and only faint memories remain.

Armando and I have been married for 46 years and sometimes we wonder how has this union, this relationship, lasted this long? We, certainly, have had many tricky moments when it has been difficult to ‘see’ the other spouse with a loving heart.

Faith, Hope, Love, the greatest of these is Love. 1Cor.13:13

Our Faith determines our decisions as it did many years ago during a beautiful nuptial mass when we became husband and wife. Our Faith has been our fortress against the ever-pressing secular pressures of the outside world. As a couple, we realized faith is best kept alive if it is nurtured, so our commitment to our church and our relationship with Jesus was paramount. God became the silent, third party in this relationship right from the ‘get go.’

If we are experiencing any differences between us, the Sign of Peace during mass has always been and still is our catalyst to move on, and to start afresh with a peaceful heart. We also find that receiving communion together as a couple and welcoming the prince of peace into our lives, we are open to reach out to each other in a more loving and peaceful way.

Hope is important to have in all areas of life but more so in a marriage as it gives us a driving force to continue to work in maintaining our beautiful relationships.

Everyday, we know we need to commit ourselves to our pledge to see each other through the eyes of Love. Love and respect are two key ingredients for a healthy, harmonious marital relationship. St Paul in his letter to the Corinthians was suggesting that the new Christians can show faith and hope in all their dealings with each other but without love for one another, their efforts would be futile. So too, in a marriage, if the foundation which is love is missing, the union of two people can become shaky and crumble. The secret to keeping the love fire burning is to bear in mind to make a reciprocal call and make our spouse feel number one and special in our relationship.

As a married, veteran couple, this relationship has taught us that there is no perfect relationship, but with a mutual commitment to work at it, a marital relationship can succeed and be life-giving to the couple and to others.

Over the years, we have learnt that marriage is about two imperfect people looking out for each other with Faith in God, Hope in our commitment, Love and respect as our common ground, and together with our silent partner, God, who is the Perfect Love.

FELICITY JONES, God's Timing is Perfect

IT WAS THROUGH THE BLESSING OF A PRIEST THAT I FIRST BEGAN TO ENCOUNTER GOD

When I reflect on my faith journey so far, I am incredibly moved by the unconditional love God has for me, and for the blessings he graced my life with to make me the person I am today. Four years ago I didn’t know this kind of love.

I could never feel God around me, encouraging me to pursue a path of holiness. It was through the blessing of a priest that I first began to encounter God and realise the plans he had for me. Fr Chukwudi Chinaka, and many priests, showed me what it was to be the hands and feet of Christ. Through their ministry, I saw the face of Christ and felt God beckoning me.

After a life-changing experience at World Youth Day Poland 2016, I couldn’t deny God’s call any longer and made the choice to always desire a life of faithfulness and to glorify God’s kingdom. I was then blessed to step into the role of Youth Coordinator of The Hive in the Ipswich Catholic Community, where we endeavour to provide opportunities for young people to encounter Christ. I also decided to study a Bachelor of Theology to deepen my understanding of the faith.

I was enjoying ministry and my faith when the question of my vocation was proposed to me: “Where do you think God is calling you?” Now that I had accepted Jesus into my life, and trusted in his will and plans for me, where was he actually calling me? Had I given God the chance to show me where he wants me to be? I decided to pursue some spiritual direction. I soon realised something: God’s timing is perfect. I didn’t need to decide then and there. I needed to be patient.

JO HAYES, An Inspiring Single Story

SMACK BANG IN THE MIDDLE OF GOD’S WILL

4KQ NEWS READER/CHANNEL 7 REPORTER

“I feel like I’m smack-bang in the middle of God’s will for my life”.

I’m a journalist, and I journal … and this was an entry in one of my prayer journals from nearly three years ago. I know I would not have written that a decade ago. In fact, probably not even five years ago …. despite being a committed catholic, and doing my best to seek God’s will for my life.

But in 2017, something changed. I started a daily practice that literally (and almost immediately) transformed every area of my life: Lectio Divina. Reading and meditating on the Word of God.

I am convinced – through lived experience - that we cannot know God’s will for our lives, unless we are spending quality time with the Lord, in His Word, every single day. It’s like oxygen for my soul and spirit. I’m like a bulldog, guarding that precious 1 to 2 hours each day. Because I know that I won’t have the God-vision, wisdom, focus and power I need to fulfill my life purpose - my vocation - if I don’t make God and His Will, my first priority in life.

Jesus tells us, “Seek first the Kingdom of heaven, and ALL THESE THINGS will be added to you as well” - Matthew 6.33.

I believe ALL THESE THINGS means the satisfaction of our heart’s greatest dreams and desires. Including an abiding sense of “the six P’s”: peace, protection, provision, prosperity, power, purpose.

I believe that our heart’s greatest dreams and desires = our vocation. Not everyone sees their career as their vocation, but I certainly do. I know to the core of my being that God put me on this earth to be a journalist/broadcaster. I got ‘the call’ at the tender age of seven (I used to make my five siblings play ‘news bulletins’ with me!).

Not only was there a STRONG desire, but my natural gifts and talents were perfectly suited to broadcast journalism: I loved (like, really loved) public speaking, I was naturally curious and empathetic, and I loved asking people questions about their lives, giving them an opportunity to tell their story.

While I’ve enjoyed a great 10 year career in journalism, it has only been in the past 3 years, as I’ve “sought first the Kingdom” in a more diligent way, becoming more receptive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, that I have seen ALL THESE THINGS come to pass in my career/ vocation/life.

Amazing ‘only God’ favour, opportunities, promotion and platform. Doors opening I could NEVER open on my own. With a deep sense of peace, joy and fulfilment, knowing there is nothing else I should be doing right now. Nothing else I WANT to be doing. And without ‘striving’! I’ve found there is a ‘supernatural ease’ that comes on us, as we align ourselves with God’s Will.

Knowing and feeling that I am smack bang in the middle of God’s Will for my life … let me tell you, there ain’t a sweeter feeling in the world!

Gerard Lai, A Seminarian's Story

I REALISED THAT JESUS WAS THE REAL DEAL AND THAT I COULD HAVE A PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM, JUST LIKE A BEST FRIEND.

I was brought up in a Catholic family as the middle child between two sisters. My parents are both from Malaysia, and they met here in Australia. Faith at home was praying before meals, praying before bedtime and going to mass on the weekend. I had faith, I believed in God, but I did not quite understand what that meant. Growing up, I never really considered the Priesthood.

I was at a youth camp in year 10 when I had my first spiritual awakening. The most exciting part of the camp was experiencing the power and love of Jesus for the first time. This happened during a time of reflection we were invited to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At first, I told the priest the little things, but finally, I poured out my heart and told him everything. I looked up to see the priest’s reaction, he just looked at me, smiled very gently and warmly, said the prayer of absolution and wished me well.

As I walked back to my seat, I remember feeling a wave of peace come over me. It finally all made sense. I realised that Jesus was the real deal and that I could have a personal friendship with him, just like a best friend.

After high school, I completed two years of missionary work with NET Ministries Australia. I then continued pursuing my dream to become a scientist by studying a Bachelor of Science which I completed in 2016.

However, I felt like something was missing. My time on NET had really deepened my faith and made me realise that it was not automatic that you got married, had kids. There were other ways to serve. I wanted to find out what this whole priesthood thing was for myself. So I had a chat with the Vocations Office, and they recommended that I move into Canali House, a house of discernment of men thinking about the Priesthood. I spent two years in Canali house discerning God’s call for me.

I remember towards the end of my second year at Canali, I thought to myself: “Gerard, you can’t discern forever.” I remember still being torn between becoming a good dad and a good priest. So I said a sincere prayer asking God to show me which path I should take. I reflected on my life journey from high school until my current moment.

The fact that I was still considering Priesthood for two years in Canali House without any clear sign opposing it, made me sway in favour of the Priesthood. I still felt compelled to give Priesthood a go and knew that I would be discerning in the Seminary anyway so I went ahead with it.

I knew deep down that I would be running away from God and live in regret if I didn’t give the Seminary a go. So I gave it a go and here I am three years later, still on the journey and still discerning in the Seminary, but now I feel even more convicted that I’m supposed to be a priest.

In the Seminary, we do not pray 24/7, we do not know the bible back to front, nor do we have our lives in perfect order. Just like Jesus’ disciples, we are very ordinary people who have responded to the call of God in an extraordinary way.