Fall 2008 Discernment Retreat

The next discernment retreat will be held
November 7-9, 2008: You are God's building.

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he reminds
Christians that though they might worship in a
bulding of bricks or stones, they themselves are the
Church that Jesus loves. "You are God's building,"
Paul writes. "You are God's field."

In this discernment retreat, we will explore how we
are part of the foundation of the Church that God is
still calling us to build today. The retreat will
provide you with time to consider how the Lord may be calling you to the religious life as a priest or brother, to serve as a co-worker with God.

For more information or to register, please contact Fr. Tony Fortman, associate director of vocation ministry, at 937-228-9263 or vocation@cpps-preciousblood.org

One of the best ways to discern a religious vocation is to check it out for yourself. The Missionaries of the Precious Blood offer a variety of opportunities to check out religious life.

Contact with Missionaries: Taking the first step, initiating a conversation with a member of a religious community, can be the most difficult step, but it opens many possibilities for exploring a call to religious life. By e-mail, by phone or in person, Missionaries are available to help you reflect upon and talk about the stirring of the Lord within.

Discernment Weekends: Sometimes we think
better when we’re alone. But sometimes we
need the help of others to talk over all the
thoughts running through our minds.
Discernment weekends are held twice a year
for men who are considering religious life. On
these weekends, men gather with priests and
brothers for times of prayer and conversation.
All are encouraged to share stories about the
many ways God works in our lives and to compare notes with others who are also on the discernment journey. It is good to discover that you don’t have to be a lone ranger as you explore this holy path. The weekends are held on the campus of St. Charles Center, a peaceful rural setting that provides the quiet place you sometimes need to hear God’s voice. For more information about our upcoming discernment weekend, please click on the Discernment Weekend icon to the left for more information.

Open houses: Sometimes it helps to get a feel for life in formation or ministry. Our Houses of Formation welcome discerners to visit and experience life in community, to join us for prayer, ministry and to attend classes with our men in formation. Opportunities are also available to visit our members serving in a variety of ministry settings.

Talking with others: Conversations with your pastor or other priests or brothers may provide insights about the religious life and stories that resonate with your own journey. A spiritual advisor can also help you notice the movement of the Spirit in your life and respond with courage and faith. Friends and family may be another resource.

Reading Books: To read more on your own about the spiritual path you are considering, we recommend the following books:

Let Your Life Speak, by Parker J. Palmer

No One but You: Living Your Call in an Ever-Changing World, by Fr. Richard Gribble, CSC

Weeds among the Wheat, Discernment: Where Prayer and Action Meet, by Thomas Green, SJ

Discovering Your Personal Vocation, by Herbert Alphonso, SJ

The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality, by Ronald Rolheiser

Inquiry Formation: For those becoming more serious in discernment, inquiry formation provides a discernment journal and a variety of other Precious Blood resources to assist the discerner. Regular opportunities are available to meet with a vocation sponsor, the director of vocation ministry or local Precious Blood communities.

House of Discernment: This house in Dayton, Ohio, offers the opportunity to live among us for an extended period of time. Here discerners become an active part of the formation community, joining us for prayer, participating in all the activities of the formation community and engaging in ministry and theological education.

To explore these and other discernment opportunities, please contact us at vocation@cpps-preciousblood.org