Vocation Awareness Week

Back we are into Ordinary Time (until Ash Wednesday, February 22), but this week we celebrate Vocation Awareness Week with the rest of the country. We have been presenting explanations of the different states of life to our students for several years and these have led to further discussions from our open minded students. It's like planting seeds. Someday, some of them will sprout. The soil seems much more receptive now than it did even years ago. As Vocation Director four four years, I was in contact with over a hundred young men who wanted to continue their relationship with the Marists that they had begun in high school. The summer service programs and week-long projects gave them a chance to experience community as well as the satisfaction of helping others in ways that far exceeded their expectations. Although none of these as yet has become a brother or priest, one told me to look at the good they are doing now as engaged and active lay people. So true.
Prayers, example, loving relationships...all will help to bring the harvest to fruition. Awareness means keeping an alert eye for the generous heart, the bold, willing and daring heart...and making the invitation. God's grace will do the rest.
Bro. Rene