tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post2625850277745642148..comments2023-09-22T06:56:46.508-05:00Comments on Adoro te Devote: Don't Just Give Lipservice - DO Something to Help!Adorohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-57720500530177629822007-08-11T09:25:00.000-05:002007-08-11T09:25:00.000-05:00I'm a little late to the party (I found out about ...I'm a little late to the party (I found out about these postings through a Google alert), but I thought the following may be of interest.<BR/><BR/>I'm the co-founder and President of the <I>Mater Ecclesiae</I> Fund for Vocations. The Fund issues grants that pay the student loans of men and women prevented from following their call to religious life or the diocesan priesthood. How we do this is detailed on the Programs page of our website: <A HREF="http://fundforvocations.org" REL="nofollow">fundforvocations.org</A><BR/><BR/>Those looking for a concrete way to assist with vocations may want to have a look at our website and consider making a donation. The need is much greater than our resources.<BR/><BR/>Those wishing to enter religious life who are prevented by their student loans may find grant application forms behind the Apply menu item. It's also important for you to read the Program pages to know how it all works. Our current open period for accepting grant applications ends September 30th.<BR/><BR/>I solicit everyone's prayers that the Fund may continue to succeed in enabling people to follow their vocations. Currently 21 men and women are in formation because a grant from the Fund made it possible.<BR/><BR/>Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-24847130652092458292007-07-29T14:37:00.000-05:002007-07-29T14:37:00.000-05:00brittany ~ Thanks for your comment! It so illustr...brittany ~ Thanks for your comment! It so illustrates my point! <BR/><BR/>How just having someone there to pick you up would have made all the difference in the world!Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-34459235467768515422007-07-28T10:30:00.000-05:002007-07-28T10:30:00.000-05:00Wow... what an AWESOME post. I have often felt lik...Wow... what an AWESOME post. I have often felt like "If only someone would PLEASE pick me up at the airport so I do not have to blow $65 on a cab home," it would have made it all a little less stressful. <BR/><BR/>When I came back from visiting the Order I am entering with, it was a huge deal getting home. I could not afford the cab, so I had to make sure that I came back on a weekday so that I could take a train home. I had to find the bus terminal at the airport, take the bus to the train station, get on the train and head north. I missed a train and had no cell phone (trying to save money for the convent), so I had to beg someone I did not know to please let me use theirs. If they had no done so I would have been in a pickle. <BR/><BR/>Hopefully through the internet we can help people to come to understand this whole discernment process and what it is like a little better.Sister Brittanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08382207464731911573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-27280928108129523062007-06-12T21:51:00.000-05:002007-06-12T21:51:00.000-05:00Is there anything I can do to help?Is there anything I can do to help?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-27205711651153783092007-06-11T19:20:00.000-05:002007-06-11T19:20:00.000-05:00beez ~ Thank you for your comments, and obviously...beez ~ Thank you for your comments, and obviously they come from experience! I'm not so young anymore...gonna be 33 (a bad year for Jesus, it was), and the debt and the stuff just gets hard and harder to deal with. Those fresh out of college have the huge college loans, but not the houses. <BR/><BR/>Of course, with all the "late vocations", the stuff is an obstacle for many. Pets, cars, more than student debt. <BR/><BR/>I still have a student loan I'm struggling to pay off. <BR/><BR/>With your car...can you sell it? Will you still need it in the seminary? <BR/><BR/>I know that if were to go into a religious order, I would have to get rid of my car. Thankfully I don't have negative equity in it, but selling a car is more irritating than buying one. <BR/><BR/>God bless! You're in my prayers, and in fact, being added to my OLPH intentions. :-)Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-6341601758370847192007-06-11T18:13:00.000-05:002007-06-11T18:13:00.000-05:00As someone who may be packing what little I have l...As someone who may be packing what little I have left in boxes to shoot off to seminary in the fall, I have to say that you have a point. That is, there are different levels of "commitment" to aiding vocations out there. <BR/><BR/>I think it's reasonable for people to say that they are praying for a discerner, but if they are going to <I>approach</I> someone who they think (or know) is discerning to be encouraging, I agree that they should be serious when they ask, "Is there anything I can do to help?"<BR/><BR/>I am fortunate in that I have a boss who has been encouraging me to enter seminary, and has cleared the obstacles at work to make it possible for me to attend retreats, go to interviews, etc. <BR/><BR/>Now, I have some debt to settle, but I have a retirement account that will deal with everything but my car and my student loan. The student loan I can defer, but the car will be a challenge.<BR/><BR/>For discerners, especially the younger ones, help with travel to communities, taking in the dogs, etc. are vital. Don't be afraid to help! God can only reward your gifts!beezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05185433444648099531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-66916796867599515592007-06-10T00:09:00.000-05:002007-06-10T00:09:00.000-05:00Cathy, Yes, but I didn't know you two years ago w...Cathy, <BR/><BR/>Yes, but I didn't know you two years ago when I was in active discernment and trying to hit a couple retreats I could never get to. <BR/><BR/>This post does not apply to you. <BR/><BR/>:-)Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-83303631536115119472007-06-09T19:54:00.000-05:002007-06-09T19:54:00.000-05:00Hey, wait a minute, I said I'd watch your dogs for...Hey, wait a minute, I said I'd watch your dogs for a weekend.<BR/><BR/>DESpressed in St. PaulCathy_of_Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16795566831031491371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-39555681514239786092007-06-09T14:44:00.000-05:002007-06-09T14:44:00.000-05:00Jennifer F. ~ Yes, that's exactly it. Thank you. ...Jennifer F. ~ Yes, that's exactly it. Thank you. <BR/><BR/>Uncle Jim ~ Wow, that'd be a very long drive for me...can you move closer to MN? :-) But it's nice to know there's a place to stay out there should I ever find myself in Indiana! (I love being Catholic!)<BR/><BR/>Jeffrey ~ Which subject? Vocations in general or the fact that those discerning need practical help? <BR/><BR/>Glad you find my harping useful!Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-80595132693718245362007-06-09T12:19:00.000-05:002007-06-09T12:19:00.000-05:00Bravo! Keep harping on the subject. Everyone needs...Bravo! Keep harping on the subject. Everyone needs to hear it as much as possible.Jeffrey Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05227411938775535934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-26690909033695905932007-06-09T11:11:00.000-05:002007-06-09T11:11:00.000-05:00IF you should find an order to visit anywhere with...IF you should find an order to visit anywhere within your driving distance tolerance of East-Central IN, bring the dogs down, drop them off. On the way in and the way out, we have a couple of extra guest rooms that would accomodate you and a travel partner, if you have such a need.<BR/>AND you should consider, at least, having a travel partner as a partial response to the questions and issues you raise about women traveling alone.<BR/>We have guests [adults, children, pets] here often. Our rooms are at the service of whomever the Lord sends our way.<BR/>So, ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-91690953428829655012007-06-09T10:10:00.000-05:002007-06-09T10:10:00.000-05:00Jean - I see what you're saying, but I do think th...Jean - I see what you're saying, but I do think that Julie brings something important to light here: our culture is so totally unfamiliar with what's involved with entering religious life that I think may of us have a huge blindspot to the needs of those discerning. I think it is different than people in more common vocations like motherhood.<BR/><BR/>E.g. I'm practically bombarded with offers of help once my baby is born is September. People are always asking if they can help with the other kids, cook some meals, etc. because they know about motherhood and they know what my needs will be.<BR/><BR/>I think that Julie was just bringing to light the needs of those discerning religious vocations since many of us are unfamiliar with that.Jennifer @ Conversion Diaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11894992378619176830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-86422697493973567712007-06-09T07:15:00.000-05:002007-06-09T07:15:00.000-05:00Jean, It's not about sensitivity or lack of sensit...Jean, <BR/><BR/>It's not about sensitivity or lack of sensitivity. This is about common sense. <BR/><BR/>Take the other posts in context: Invite people to consider religious life/priesthood, but don't hound them to death about what you think they should be doing and when. It's fine to ask how it's going, but if you're asking that question of someone every day or everytime you speak with them (unless you rarely see each other!), don't expect "results". <BR/><BR/>This post is about offering to assist in some way, ie "If there's anything I can do, let me know...."<BR/><BR/>"Well, actually I DO need help with X task so I can take the next step..."<BR/><BR/>"Oh, excuse me, I'm busy that weekend. Good luck!"<BR/><BR/><BR/>Do you see the difference? This is just taking a look at this from the hands-on perspective. I'm afraid you might be reading into what I'm saying and completely missing the point. <BR/><BR/>Yes, DO say something to someone you feel may have a calling, DO offer to help, esp. when you see there is an obvious need, which may change as that person progresses through discernment. If there are some "results", such as a chosen community and your friend mentions, say, needing to find a ride to the airport, that's an "in". I'm not saying that people should fall all over themselves and rearrange their lives to assist, but if you know of a need and think someone you know can assist, it's a simple matter to simply offer to call friend X or something. <BR/><BR/>Do you see what I'm saying? <BR/><BR/>It's common sense. Especially, when, in the example I gave in dialogue, the backpeddaling is obvious.Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-25067331834021327162007-06-09T01:55:00.000-05:002007-06-09T01:55:00.000-05:00Hi Julie,I don't know if I can say what I want to ...Hi Julie,<BR/><BR/>I don't know if I can say what I want to say without it seeming confrontational, but I would like to try: on top of your earlier post about the "do's" and "don't's" of what to say and not to say to someone discerning a vocation, I'm left with the thought that it's probably best for us ordinary Joes to keep our mouths shut in this mine-field -- best not to encourage anyone, lest our stupidity and awkwardness tick them off! <BR/>Is that desirable?<BR/>I think that stupid though well-intentioned comments and lack of support are pretty well distributed across life, no matter what vocation one is called to--or so it's been my experience. It's just part of life, and you have to grant people their good intentions even if they lack sensitivity. I don't see why a vocation to the religious life is somehow going to grant would-be supporters with any more sensitivity than they would otherwise have (speaking as one who has little sense and sensibility in this regard).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-10958688311075266812007-06-08T22:49:00.000-05:002007-06-08T22:49:00.000-05:00No, Jennifer, thank YOU!No, Jennifer, thank YOU!Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170815.post-11626221850383767692007-06-08T22:38:00.000-05:002007-06-08T22:38:00.000-05:00Wow, this is such an eye-opening post to me. I'm d...Wow, this is such an eye-opening post to me. I'm definitely one of those people who's very earnest about wanting more people to consider vocations...yet I see it as having nothing to do with me in concrete terms. Since I converted after I was already married with children, I've never spent much time considering the logistics of discerning a vocation to religious life.<BR/><BR/>After reading this post I will definitely handle it differently next time I run into someone who says they may be considering religious life. Thank you!Jennifer @ Conversion Diaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11894992378619176830noreply@blogger.com