Comments on: The Discernment Chart http://anunslife.org/2009/02/13/the-discernment-chart/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:24:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Madeleine http://anunslife.org/2009/02/13/the-discernment-chart/#comment-51687 Madeleine Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:03:58 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1883#comment-51687 Computers are not my forte, so I'll try again . . . I have always loved nuns and often thought this would be the life for me. My atheist father and agnostic mother who sent me to Lutheran Sunday school would laugh. I wasn't entirely joking. And neither was God. Working on a graduate degree in social work, I was quietly but firmly called to the Roman Catholic Church. I am very well versed in the language of science and arguments of logic over the supernatural. I was called. My parents, by the way, came from out of state to witness and support my confirmation. Suddenly, being a nun wasn't so out of the question. I think I'm more a retreat kind of person, after all. But have immense respect and admiration for the sisters I have known, finding them to be intelligent, creative, open and thoroughly devoted to God's work. I continue to work to connect my vocation (social work) with the peace I find in God. Sometimes, it is quite a struggle. The presence of sisters in this world reminds me why I chose this work (and it chose me). Please know that this less-than-Religious, cigarette smoking, coffee guzzling, aging hippie is grateful and supportive of everything you are and do. Amen (hope this posting sticks this time) Computers are not my forte, so I’ll try again . . .

I have always loved nuns and often thought this would be the life for me. My atheist father and agnostic mother who sent me to Lutheran Sunday school would laugh. I wasn’t entirely joking.

And neither was God. Working on a graduate degree in social work, I was quietly but firmly called to the Roman Catholic Church. I am very well versed in the language of science and arguments of logic over the supernatural. I was called. My parents, by the way, came from out of state to witness and support my confirmation. Suddenly, being a nun wasn’t so out of the question.

I think I’m more a retreat kind of person, after all. But have immense respect and admiration for the sisters I have known, finding them to be intelligent, creative, open and thoroughly devoted to God’s work.

I continue to work to connect my vocation (social work) with the peace I find in God. Sometimes, it is quite a struggle. The presence of sisters in this world reminds me why I chose this work (and it chose me). Please know that this less-than-Religious, cigarette smoking, coffee guzzling, aging hippie is grateful and supportive of everything you are and do. Amen (hope this posting sticks this time)

]]> By: Dita http://anunslife.org/2009/02/13/the-discernment-chart/#comment-24849 Dita Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:55:28 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1883#comment-24849 I just recently spent time with an order three days, it was a beautiful retreat... I felt very at home and very peaceful, while praying for two hours one night, I didn't want to leave! I have and still am discerning now my third year... I feel if I never try religious life.. i will always wonder if I would have been truly called? does this make any sense?? I am 21 years old and am graduating in one year. I would like to join an order once I am done with school. I just recently spent time with an order three days, it was a beautiful retreat… I felt very at home and very peaceful, while praying for two hours one night, I didn’t want to leave!
I have and still am discerning now my third year…
I feel if I never try religious life.. i will always wonder if I would have been truly called?
does this make any sense??
I am 21 years old and am graduating in one year.
I would like to join an order once I am done with school.

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/02/13/the-discernment-chart/#comment-24135 Sister Julie Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:14:52 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1883#comment-24135 Good observation, Lisa. You're absolutely right. Good observation, Lisa. You’re absolutely right.

]]> By: Lisa Burke http://anunslife.org/2009/02/13/the-discernment-chart/#comment-24131 Lisa Burke Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:20:10 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1883#comment-24131 My only caveat about a pro/con chart is to bear in mind that it is not the number of items on each list or the length of the list but the quality and value of the items on the list. In other words, I have found that I may only have two or three pros on a list and twice or three times as many cons but the value of the two pros so outweighs the cons that it is clear that I should do whatever it is I am discerning/evaluating. Peace, Lisa My only caveat about a pro/con chart is to bear in mind that it is not the number of items on each list or the length of the list but the quality and value of the items on the list. In other words, I have found that I may only have two or three pros on a list and twice or three times as many cons but the value of the two pros so outweighs the cons that it is clear that I should do whatever it is I am discerning/evaluating.

Peace,
Lisa

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/02/13/the-discernment-chart/#comment-24070 Sister Julie Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:22:04 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1883#comment-24070 Thanks, Sister Jill! I remember way back when I was discerning and Sister Mary told me about the chart. One of the best things I ever learned. I find it helpful in a variety of decision-making situations. Good questions, DL25. Will pass those along to Sister Mary. Thanks, Sister Jill! I remember way back when I was discerning and Sister Mary told me about the chart. One of the best things I ever learned. I find it helpful in a variety of decision-making situations.

Good questions, DL25. Will pass those along to Sister Mary.

]]> By: discerninglife25 http://anunslife.org/2009/02/13/the-discernment-chart/#comment-24065 discerninglife25 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:25:51 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1883#comment-24065 A few questions: 1) Why is there a Call? How do you know if it is valid? What are some characteristics of a Call? 2) What are some characteristics of a good discernment to religious life? 3) How do you know you will be happy in religious life? Thanks! Pax Tibi, Discerninglife25 A few questions:
1) Why is there a Call? How do you know if it is valid? What are some characteristics of a Call?
2) What are some characteristics of a good discernment to religious life?
3) How do you know you will be happy in religious life?
Thanks!

Pax Tibi,
Discerninglife25

]]> By: Jill, ihm http://anunslife.org/2009/02/13/the-discernment-chart/#comment-24013 Jill, ihm Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:38:38 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1883#comment-24013 This works. It really really works. Last summer, I was faced with two equally compelling opportunities, but it was impossible for me to do both---I couldn't be in Philadelphia and San Francisco on the same weekend!! So, at the suggestion of a good friend, I did a 'pro/con' chart like the one above. And seeing my reasons on paper really helped to make it clear where I needed to be for that weekend. It allowed me to own my decision, and to be certain that I was making the right choice for the right reasons. This works. It really really works. Last summer, I was faced with two equally compelling opportunities, but it was impossible for me to do both—I couldn’t be in Philadelphia and San Francisco on the same weekend!! So, at the suggestion of a good friend, I did a ‘pro/con’ chart like the one above. And seeing my reasons on paper really helped to make it clear where I needed to be for that weekend. It allowed me to own my decision, and to be certain that I was making the right choice for the right reasons.

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