Vocation Discernment Retreats/Events

 

"Dubuque's Got Sisters," a tour of four tri-state area motherhouses (in & near Dubuque, IA)

The dates for the autumn "Dubuque's Got Sisters" retreat will be announced soon.  This is an opportunity for women interested in vowed religious life to experience praying, dining, and storytelling at four motherhouses in the Dubuque area.  It is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Dubuque), the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Dubuque), the Dubuque Franciscan Sisters (Dubuque), and the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters (Sinsinawa, WI).  There is no fee to attend.  Contact: Sister Lou Anglin, BVM, at langlin@bvmcong.org or by phone at 563-588-2351.  The communities' websites:
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM): www.bvmcong.org
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM): www.dubuquepresentations.org
Dubuque Franciscan Sisters (OSF): www.osfdbq.org
Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters (OP): www.sinsinawa.org

 

Vocation Discernment Weekends at New Melleray Abbey, a Cistercian (Trappist) monks monastery (Peosta, IA)

New Melleray offers one of these per year.  The next one will be Friday, May 28 - Sunday, May 30, 2010 (supper on Friday evening through lunch on Sunday afternoon).  This weekend is for young, single men seeking to give themselves to Christ, looking for help in discernment, and attracted to monastic life.  Participants are invited to share in the community's celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours in the Abbey Church; listen to monks, who have consectrated their lives to Christ, talk about how they discerned their vocations and about their lives as monks; and talk about their own personal stories and share experiences, hopes, and concerns with others who are participating in the weekend.  In keeping with the monastic approach to contemplative life, those who wish to do so may stay Sunday afternoon and part of Monday to have personal time for quiet prayer or to talk with the vocation director for further discernment of a monastic vocation.  There is no charge for room or meals at this vocation discernment weekend.  Contact: Fr. Stephen Verbest, Vocation Director, at frsteve@newmelleray.org.  Website: www.newmelleray.org

 

Vocation Discernment Weekends at St. Mary Monastery, a Benedictine sisters monastery (Rock Island, IL)

Upcoming discernment weekends are scheduled for Friday, February 5 - Sunday, February 7, 2010 and Friday, April 16 - Sunday, May 18, 2010.  If these weekends are not convenient for your schedule, other times can be arranged for a visit to St. Mary Monastery.  Contact: Sister Roberta (Bobbi) Bussan, OSB, at rbussan@smmsisters.org or by phone at 309-283-2300.  Website: www.smmsisters.org

 

"Come and See" Weekends at Divine Word College, a Divine Word Missionaries seminary (Epworth, IA)

These weekends are scheduled on an individual basis.  They are for young men, ages 16-35, who are interested in the missionary priesthood or brotherhood.  The Divine Word Missionaries are an international, multicultural group of priests and brothers who work in over 70 countries around the world.  Divine Word College is the only Roman Catholic college seminary in the U.S. whose primary mission is the education of men for missionary service.  It is a liberal arts college which offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor's degree while participating in the seminary formation program, to answer the question "Is this what God is asking of me?" and discern God's call in their lives.  Contact: Mr. Len Uhal, VP for Recruitment and Admissions, Divine Word College, at luhal@dwci.edu or by phone at 800-553-3321.  Website: www.dwci.edu

 

"Come and See" Days/Weekends at Mount St. Francis, a Franciscan sisters motherhouse (Dubuque, IA)

These days/weekends are scheduled on an individual basis or when there is a small group of women, ages 20-45, interested in the Franciscan Charism.  The Dubuque Franciscans are a Catholic religious order of women who are guided by the Rule of St. Francis of Assisi, which is based on the Gospels and the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare.  Their shared life in community strengthens their commitment to God, each other, and the people of God with whom they serve.  Sisters live in groups of two to four or alone when engaged in ministry beyond the Mount St. Francis Center.  Interested women are invited to learn more about the Franciscan Charism by getting to know some of the Dubuque Franciscan sisters in the Cedar Falls-Waterloo area and/or by volunteering for a week, month, or year in their Common Venture Program.  Contacts: Sister Ginny Heldorfer, OSF, Vocation Director, at heldorferv@osfdbq.org or by phone/text at 952-457-5193, or Sister Mary Beth Goldsmith, UNI student, at goldsmithm@osfdbq.org.  Website: www.osfdbq.org

 

Vocation Discernment Weekends at St. Rose Convent, a convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (La Crosse, WI)

These weekend retreats offer time for prayer, discussions, liturgy, relaxation, and one-on-one conversations with Sisters.  Upcoming discernment weekends, which begin Friday evening and conclude at 11:00 AM on Sunday, are scheduled for:

• Friday, June 18 - Saturday, June 19, 2010
• Friday, October 22 - Sunday, October 24, 2010
• Friday, February 11 - Sunday, February 13, 2011
• Friday, June 10 - Sunday, June 12, 2011

If these weekends are not convenient for your schedule, other times can be arranged.  Contact: Sister Dorothy Dunbar, FSPA, at ddunbar@fspa.org or by phone at 1-888-683-FSPA (1-888-683-3772).  Website: www.fspa.org

 

"Come and See" Days/Weekends at Sinsinawa Mound, a Dominican sisters motherhouse (Sinsinawa, Wisconsin)

Want to spend some time with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and get to know them better?  You're invited to spend a day, a weekend, or some days to pray with them, eat with them, work with them, discern a possible call to religious life with them... at their home in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.  There you will witness the faithful living of vows, the beauty of their community and ministry, and the graced life of their interconnectedness.  Contact: Sister Jeri Cashman, OP, Vocation Director, at JeriCashman@gmail.com or by phone at 612-581-9291.  Website: www.osfdbq.org

 

"Project Andrew Dinners" (locations vary)

These dinners are an opportunity for young men considering priesthood to spend an evening with Archbishop Hanus and priests from the Dubuque archdiocese, to learn more and ask questions about the vocation of priesthood.  Priests are encouraged to invite and attend with interested young men who are members of their respective parish(es)/assignment(s).  Contact: Fr. David Schatz, Director of Vocation Awareness for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, at dbqcvo@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us or by phone at 563-556-2580, ext. 281.  Website (for the Archdiocese of Dubuque): www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us