exploreAway with Vocations Ireland

For those who are considering the possibility of a vocation to priesthood or religious life this coming Sunday something special is happening. As part of Vocations Ireland’s exciting new exploreAway programme for 2013 we are holding a taster afternoon for those who want to find out more about exploreAway, with no strings attached.

As a vocations director one of the biggest challenges in engaging with young people is there fear that I’ll bring a shot gun to our first meeting to make them join the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. While this ‘hard sell’ tactic to promote vocations is not without its merits my own approach is about respecting each person’s call from God. This may be to priesthood, religious life, single life or marriage. All are equally valued in the eyes of God. This Sunday is going to be an opportunity for people who may feel called to be sisters, priests or brothers to meet others who are on the same journey. It’s an afternoon of sharing, prayer and discussion around what it means to be called by God to serve the people of God.

exploreAway team, particpants and young religious

It is in anticipation of the full exploreAway programme starting on the first week of Advent this year. The programme involved four residential weekends once a month and concludes with a retreat. Each weekend we explore a topic that supports a person’s own discernment with the help of expert speakers. Last Sunday, on the feast of Pentecost we had the concluding retreat of the 2012 / 2013 programme. It was an excellent group and they grew considerably during their time together.

So if you feel that God might be inviting you to consider a different path you can join us on Sunday afternoon May 26 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm in St. Theresa’s Church, Clarendon St. ( Just off Grafton St. ). If you would like to know more you can call me on (086)7857955 or have a look at the exploreAway website www.exploreaway.net