pathways 3: VOCATIONS WEEK

pathways, August 2007

 

 

National Vocations Awareness Week (NVAW) provides an opportunity for the whole Australian Church to work towards a pervasive vocations culture, as the faithful are invited to reflect on Christian vocation and service which arise from a common Baptism.

 

Initiated by Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia (CVMA) in 1996 and approved by the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference to begin in 1997, NVAW is designed to heighten awareness of the meaning of the word 'vocation', and thereby to spread the good news that everybody has a vocation - a calling from God to seek and find fullness of life through discipleship - as a married or single person, a priest or religious.

 

The foci for parish liturgies/activities for the two Sundays of NVAW are:

 

 

 

Among the resources made available is a document containing several pages on ideas for Religious communities.

 

 

 

 

Sr Janet Palafox IBVM (pictured), 42, feels she has done just that by choosing a religious life with the Loreto Sisters. Janet feels that her gifts are being put to greatest use - she can make a difference to the lives of others while being close with God.

 

"I thought I'd seen hardship and battle for justice before. But the places I have been to as a Loreto Sister, the people I have met, the stories I have shared ... have enriched and changed my life forever."

 

Joining the Loreto Sisters has allowed her to pursue her passion for social justice. Her first role was Parish Pastoral Associate working with people mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds. She was humbled by their openness and trust.

 

"They allowed me to journey with them and share their experiences. Their trust and acceptance of me was gracious."

 

In her next role at Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services she worked on project that involved loaning money to people on low income. She was amazed at what the loans did for people's self worth.

 

"Paying back the loans made them feel empowered and have belief in themselves."

 

Janet is currently a member of the Loreto Sisters Justice Committee. "This is my passion," she says with a glimmer in her eye. She feels it is here that her gifts and talents can be put to the greatest use.

 

She has so much going on in her life right now that she says a challenge of religious life is not to get caught up with being too busy in life that you miss out on time with God and with person.

 

One of her greatest experiences is her recent trip to Africa to meet fellow Loreto Sisters and to attend the World Social Forum.

 

"I was energised by the vibrancy and commitment of our African sisters. I came back with this incredible sense of identity and belonging to a global family."

 

Janet entered the Loreto Sisters in 2002 and has this advice for others considering a religious life: "If the thought keeps coming back, just do it - follow your heart's call. The moment of absolute certainty might never come. There will be doubts but I feel that if this is not where God calls you to be, you or someone around you will know."

 

(article by Sophia Ljaskevic, Communications Officer for the Loreto Sisters Provincial Office ...  for a more detailed article on Sr Janet, visit  www.loreto.org.au)