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1.  Explaining “Vocation”

A Vocation:

"Each baptised person is called to be a disciple which is accompanied by a responsibility to share in the church's mission."
A vocation is God's unique invitation, addressed to individual persons in which a free response is expected. This response is not a single act, but a life-long process, a journey of faith. We do not "have" a vocation; we discover how we "are" our vocation as we journey through life led by the Spirit.
An individual discovers their vocation at various stages of life and in relationship with others:

As baptized Christians each of us is called to assist others to discover their vocation as we have been assisted on our faith journeys. Each of us is called to help make others aware of their personal richness, talents and human value, opening their eyes to the variety of lifestyles and then ministries within the Church.
We are to assist the young and the not so young in their search for who it is God wants them to be; to walk with them in faith, to pray with them, to guide them, to help them become aware of God's loving presence in their personal history in order that they might respond to the will/yearning of God in their own regard.

By whom am I called?
To whom must I ultimately submit my life? Who is this One who invites me into a loving relationship and calls me to be transformed in that love? What does this relationship mean for my life now and in the future? Or, put more simply, who is God and what place does God have in my life?

To what am I called?
What lifestyle and word best facilitate my vocation? What concrete circumstances in life should I choose - in so far as that it is reasonable and possible - to promote this loving relationship? To what extent does my current lifestyle reflect an awareness of vocation?

The Model

2.  Explaining the Various Vocations in the Church

Diocesan Priest

Upon hearing the word “priest”, we usually imagine a diocesan priest. All priests, whether diocesan or from a religious order, by the grace of their ordination, are able to make Jesus truly present in the Eucharist at Mass, give absolution for sins, baptize, and join a man and a woman in the sacrament of marriage. Not all priests do the same type of work, yet their mission or purpose is one: to bring the faithful through their everyday lives closer to Jesus Christ and to one another in him. At their ordination, all priests make a lifelong commitment to celibacy and obedience to their diocesan bishop.
The primary ministry of a diocesan priest comes from the Greek word, “to keep house”. The diocesan priesthood is one of being available and involved in the day-to-day lives of people, thus helping the local bishop to “keep house” in the family of God who struggle to live out the Paschal Mystery — the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. Diocesan priests are in reality the extension of the Bishop, who is the chief shepherd of the people of God in his diocese. Their primary responsibility is meeting the spiritual needs of the Catholics in their diocese. Generally, but not always, this means parish ministry. The word ‘parish’ is taken from the Greek, “a dwelling beside or near”. Parish priests are to live near the people they are serving.
As a pastor or an associate pastor, the diocesan priest spends his time and energy in ministry, such as visiting parishioners, school communities, administering the sacraments, and preparing homilies, along with parish administration. He may also be asked to undertake other ministries, such as teaching, campus ministry, being a chaplain at a hospital, military base, or a prison. Some are assigned to work in diocesan offices like the Marriage Tribunal, Vocations Office, Office of Communications, or Youth Ministry.
A central responsibility of a diocesan priest is to pray for his people and for the whole Church. As a pastor, a diocesan priest is the shepherd of his parish community, thus responsible for their spiritual growth and wellbeing as families, individuals, and as a faith community. It is of utmost importance that he takes time to pray for his own needs, chief of which is to grow ever closer in relationship with Christ, his friend and brother. The presence of a diocesan priest represents the presence of Christ and the Church — ever beside its members through the successes and failures, joys and sorrows of life.
Diocesan priests do not make a vow of poverty like that of religious priests, sisters, or brothers. Instead they are called by the Church to live simply and receive a salary from which they pay for their personal needs and save for future ones. A diocesan priest may live with one or two other priests in a rectory, but many times he lives alone. Diocesan priests therefore need to have healthy, supportive friendships with fellow priests among whom they can share their joys and burdens and take time together for relaxation and recreation.
In short, the Diocesan Priest is a mixture of collaborative leadership, making the richness of Scripture and Tradition available through preaching and teaching and compassionate pastoral care. In all these tasks, he is someone who bears the imprint of the Gospel on his life, and in his prayer and service in a world of very secular values.

Permanent Deacons
Permanent deacons are men who are ordained for a special role within the Church - service to the diocese and to its bishop. Permanent deacons focus on acts of charity, including ministry to people who are disadvantaged, imprisoned, bereaved or ill. They assist the bishop and priests in liturgical celebrations, and may conduct baptisms, witness marriages and preside at funerals.

Religious Life
Since all the baptized share a common relationship with God, all are called to be "religious" or holy in the broad sense of the word. Some men and women, however, choose to live a particular life-style called religious life.

These people join a community of people that follows a specific tradition or spirituality patterned after the life and teaching of the founder of that community. Many religious profess what is referred to as the Evangelical Vows; poverty, chastity and obedience. There are religious priests, brothers and sisters.

Religious Priest

The Religious Priest is a man who shares both the Sacrament of Holy Orders and profession into a religious community.
He chooses to live and work in a religious community of other priests and brothers. He vows poverty, chastity, and obedience, like those in consecrated life.
He celebrates the sacraments, like the diocesan priest, however he lives in community with others who share the same charism.
A man entering the religious life is professed in a religious community before being ordained to the priesthood.

Religious Brother

A Religious Brother is a man who dedicates his life to God in a special way. As a Brother he belongs to a particular Religious Community. He takes the three evangelical vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; performs a special ministry in the church; and lives a community (common) life.

There are several different types of Religious Communities in which Brothers live. The first is a community composed of just Brothers. These communities have a particular charism which has been handed down by the Founder of the Community. Some communities are dedicated to education, some to hospital ministry, some to mission work, some to working with the poor, as well as other special works in the Church. Some of these communities are the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers), the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Freres de la Charite, Hospitaliers de Sain-Jean-de-Dieu, the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd and the Marists Brothers. The second type of community is composed of Brothers and Priests. They live the same lifestyle and perform special ministries in the Church similar to the communities of Brothers but the membership of the community includes both Priests and Brothers. Some of these communities are the Augustinians, Dominicans, the many Franciscan Communities, Greymore Friars, Jesuits, Marianistes, Passionists, and the Salesians of Don Bosco. There is a third type of community which is composed of both Brothers and Priests and that is the Contemplative or Monastic orders. They live in a Monastery and their day is divided between prayer and work for the Monastery. Some of these communities are the Benedictines, and the Cistercians (Trappists).
Brothers in all of the different religious communities share their lives together with their confreres in community. The pray together, minister together, and share their daily lives together. All of them live in community that has a member as Superior who is responsible for the life of the community. The Brothers share in the Consecrated Life of the Church by publicly taking vows of Poverty (to live poorly and not to own anything as an individual), Chastity, (not to marry and to live a chaste life), and Obedience (to obey the rules of the Order and the legitimate authority within the Order).
Brothers minister in the Church as educators, medical personnel, social workers, counselors, workers with the poor and needy, missionaries, maintenance men, communication experts, and many other ministries that serve the Church and the People of God.

Religious Life As a Sister

Becoming a Sister is a process that you follow and it is essential to take each important step along the way.

If you are interested in exploring the possibility of religious life as a Sister you should contact the vocation director in a community of interest.

A community is also called a congregation. Different congregations have different missions and charisms. Every religious congregation claims a special charism for the good of the whole Church. This gift is what forms the identity and mission of congregations.

For example, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians have sense of education and caring for poor youth and women, particularly as their mission. Others Orders or Congregations focus on health care or social work.
During the initial stage of interest in religious life, women will:

Christian Marriage

Each Christian husband and wife is called to be a Sacrament of love through their union with each other, their caring for a family and living witness to others. The family is called to be the "domestic church."

Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness ... So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:26,27)

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Single Life

A Christian living a single life is called to be a generous disciple of Jesus where they live and work within the world, and among the people they share life with as friends, family and colleagues. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
Information on this page is adapted with permission from
www.hamiltondiocese.com
and www.vocationinfo.ca

A Salesian Brother
Just as there are different gifts and ministries in the Church, there are different paths of service within the Salesian Congregation. Some are called to fulfill their vocation as Priests, others as Brothers. Here is a description what a Salesian Brother is.

The Salesian Brothers commit themselves to follow the call of Christ who welcomes the young and the poor in their midst. As a vowed member of the Salesian community, each Brother brings his own talents, gifts and personality to the service of the Church. He shares the Gospel message of hope and life with the young to whom he ministers. He joins other professed Salesian priests, brothers and sisters, in the vision and the meaning of life in a community setting. Living as members of the Salesian Family, they contribute responsibilities, talents and ministry experiences to help serve and educate the young of the world.

As a Salesian, the Brother is first and foremost an educator, dedicated by vow to the overall advancement of the young and working class people. Through ministry at church, in a school, or on a playground, the Brother reaches out and teaches the young through music and drama, art and technology, sports and education, counseling or the communications media. Though not ordained to Celebrate Holy Mass and administer the Sacraments, the list of what Brothers do is as limitless as their talents, so are the needs of the young they are called to serve.  As a member of the Salesian community, the brother receives his mission from the Church and from Don Bosco. In doing this, he lives out his baptismal calling.

The Salesian Brother brings the Gospel convincingly to places where priests might not go. In technical education, in crisis centers, in inner city playgrounds, and in guidance, the Salesian Brother easily identifies with the lives of the young, and is called to help them experience and respond to the love of Christ.
He is rooted in prayer. He lives Gospel values in the world but frees himself from its distractions.  He lives part of a community
As a witness of faith, a Salesian Brother is one who recognizes the goodness and the value of the young he is called to serve. He is a man acting as a sign of God's love for the young.

3.  The Art of Decision Making
by Sister Paula Mary Palasz, CSSF

Have you ever been on a journey where you reach a fork in the road and were unsure about which path to take? Decision making can be thought of being on this path and reaching that point where you are not sure of the next step. In fact, our lives are filled with these points which call us to make decisions every day.
Many decisions are small and not so significant, for example, which cereal to eat for breakfast or which video to watch tonight. Other decisions have more importance. Which friends do I choose, which college should I attend, or which nursing facility is best for grandma? Still other decisions call for a lifetime commitment. Who will I share the rest of my life with? How can I live a fulfilled adult life in the Church? Is Church ministry a value to me? What are my values? Is God calling me to the priesthood or religious life?
When answering these questions, that is, when looking at decisions of great significance, we come to a time on the

journey when we need to examine all the options, follow the lead of the Spirit and say "Yes" to making a decision.
There are several steps to making an important life decision. The first is the awareness that an important decision needs to be made. It’s essential to be alert to the prompting of the Spirit, especially in crucial times. Decision making is not always a crisis but is always a growth-filled process. As you consider your options, be attentive to the process and to your feelings throughout it.  Secondly, make a mental list or jot down the pros and cons of the various options involved in making this particular decision. This doesn’t have to be an extremely formal process, but is an important step, because it places all the options clearly before you.
Next ask yourself about possible consequences for each option or how each might fit into your life’s goals and plans. Then pray about the decision. Simply ask God for guidance. Asking for wisdom and the openness to do God’s will may allow your heart to be open to whatever may be encountered along the way. Fourthly, check it out with a mentor,

family member, trusted friend, or "wisdom" friend who has gone through a similar life experience. Although the decision is yours to make, running it past another listening ear and checking it out with someone who knows you well can be of great help. Know you are not alone, and take comfort in knowing that such a decision is not unique to you alone. A true friend or a good mentor will not make the decision for you, but will lovingly support you.
Next, comes the true test of all in decision making, taking action! Now, you’ve made the decision and are ready to "test the waters" and "walk the talk". Don’t be afraid of making a decision, because Jesus assures us "love casts out all fear". If one’s heart is in the right place and one is striving for attitudes like those of Jesus and Mary, who modeled for us decision making in their lives, then the best decision will have been made.
Finally, when the decision is made and acted upon, a sense of true peace will prevail over you. Peace is the ultimate gift of a good decision - a peace no one can take from you.
Decision Making

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Here are some simple steps to guide your decision-making.

Here are four simple steps to help you find direction.

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