God Calling: Vocation Vibes

Episode #24 - Women and Men Entering Religious Life: The CARA Report

Sr. Thu T. Do, LHC, Ph.D., a research associate at CARA (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate), highlights the many hopeful and encouraging findings that emerge from the study “Women and Men Entering Religious Life: The Entrance Class of 2023,” of which she is a coauthor. She also shares implications for vocation directors, campus ministers, and all who serve young women and men, as well as for those in the larger Catholic community who desire to nurture and support vocations. Sr. Thu concludes with some very practical advice for young men and women themselves--for those who are discerning their vocation and for all who have yet to begin discerning their calling in life.
We Little Sisters of the Poor welcome your questions and comments online or at podcast@lsp-usa.org, and we encourage you to like, share, and follow our podcast, for the sake of vocations and of the Kingdom.
 

Episode #23 - Vocations on the College Campus

CAN YOU IMAGINE 182 PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS COMING FROM A SINGLE COLLEGE CAMPUS??? To what might we attribute this amazing work of the Holy Spirit? Check it out as Dani, Jenny, and David from the Catholic campus ministry and FOCUS team at Texas A&M University weigh in with their thoughts on this miracle of grace. Be sure not to miss these truly encouraging insights for young men and women who are in a season of vocational discernment and for those who serve them!
We Little Sisters of the Poor will be delighted if you’ll consider liking, sharing, and following our podcast--for the sake of vocations and of the Kingdom. We can be reached at lspusapodcast@gmail.com.
 
 

Episode 22 - Called and Sent: Reflections from our Missionary Little Sisters

GRATITUDE FOR HAVING BEEN CHOSEN AND SENT: That is the common sentiment in these reflections by missionary Little Sisters of the Poor Sr. Joseph Marie, Sr. Stephen, and Sr. Marie Cecilia. Each describes the beauty of missionary life, in which—even as one shares the Gospel with other peoples--one can go beyond oneself and be so greatly enriched by the cultural treasures that God has poured out on all. And what of the Cross in missionary life? Our Little Sisters assure us from their lived experience, “The sacrifices are always fruitful.”
Considering the missionary call in light of today’s young men and women, our Little Sisters relate their observations of the younger generation that resonate with the Sisters’ own experience of a deep desire for self-gift, for making a difference, and for creating the ‘better world’ to which the Gospel calls us all. Do these same desires resound in your own heart? Check it out!

Episode 21 - Care of Creation and the Vowed Life

DURING THIS “SEASON OF CREATION” celebrated by the Church each year, Mother Provincial Julie from the Little Sisters of the Poor shows us how the “evangelical counsels”, given by Christ and lived by vowed religious men and women and by many of the lay faithful, lend themselves ideally to care and respect for our common home and for all creation. And while these “counsels” of chastity, poverty, and obedience are strikingly countercultural, they truly resonate with the desires of so many of today’s young people, who are yearning for a life of simplicity, for the authenticity of right relationships, and for the freedom to love fully. We hope that you enjoy this thought-provoking episode—and that you will consider liking, sharing, and following our podcast!

Episode 20 - Discerning the Call

VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT is truly a burning topic today among young women and men who sense the possibility of a special call from God, but who do not know how to proceed in discerning the plan he might have for their lives—that plan which will ultimately lead to their greatest happiness and fulfillment. Sr. Maria Catherine from the Little Sisters of the Poor shares her story and gives a number of practical discernment tips grounded in her own lived experience and prayerful reflection, in available resources, and in conversations with other discerners whom she has walked with along the way. Please consider sharing this episode with discerners you know, and also liking and following our podcast so that it will reach and help more people in discovering and embracing God’s dream for their lives!

Episode 19 - My Call to Consecrated Hospitality

HOW IS IT THAT A YOUNG WOMAN who majored in education because she loves children found her greatest happiness in serving Jesus in the elderly poor? How is it that a vivacious and talented young lady who loved fun and friends was inspired to give her life totally to God, finding abundant joy and friendship as a consecrated hospitaller religious and using her gifts and talents in the service of His people? And what is this vow of "Hospitality" that Sr. Ellen Anne lives today as a Little Sister of the Poor? Click here to find out...

Episode #18 - Call to Charism

WHERE AM I CALLED? In discerning the consecrated religious life, people often assume that their vocation will be to a certain work or ministry, but—as awesome and as greatly needed as the “works of our hands” might be—the call is ultimately to an even broader, deeper, and more all-encompassing reality!
In drawing an individual to a religious community, God personally invites the person to enter into a certain charism, a rich new spirit and a whole new way of being and living that not only encompasses the specific ministry of the community but is also a radiant gift and witness to the Church and to the world. Find out more as Mother Mary Richard of the Little Sisters of the Poor tells us about this exciting and beautiful aspect of vocational discernment. Enriched with these insights, you’ll be better prepared to seek the charism that’s the best fit for your heart!
Please consider liking, sharing, and following our podcast! We Little Sisters of the Poor welcome your online comments and can be reached at lspusapodcast@gmail.com.
 

Episode #17 - Young Adults: The Power of Connection in Finding Your Path

As a young adult and a person of faith--however strong or weak that faith might be--do you sometimes feel confused by all of society’s pressures and expectations? Are you groping to find your way in life and to get a sense of who you were really created to be?
Peter Blute, Executive Director of Young Catholic Professionals, offers insights and advice from his wealth of relevant personal and professional experience: Discover the power of connection with other young adults of faith. Jesus Himself was young among the young; meet Him in those connections and He will show you the way!
Please consider liking, sharing, and following our podcast! We Little Sisters of the Poor welcome your online comments and can be reached at lspusapodcast@gmail.com.

Episode #16 - My Story: The Eucharist and the Rose

THE ROSE TELLS IT ALL! From the time when Sr. Therese Marie of the Eucharist received her First Holy Communion as a little girl to the moment she saw a Little Sister of the Poor on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) to the experience of deepening her love for Our Eucharistic Lord and also her vocational discernment while studying at Franciscan University of Steubenville, her path seemed clear…but then she fell in love with a really great young guy! What to do? The story of the rose will answer that question…and will bring a smile to your face. (And if it does, please consider liking/sharing/following our podcast!)

Episode #15 - A Vocations Perspective from the Wisdom of Our Elders

DON’T MISS THEIR CHARMING COMMENTS, ON-TARGET INSIGHTS, AND GREAT ADVICE! Avid enthusiasts for vocations and ardent prayer supporters of all young men and women who are discerning their God-given calling, the elderly residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor are represented by Marge, Brother Jeff, and Dot, who make their way to the studio to tell the good news about vocations as they see it.
 
For further information about the Little Sisters of the Poor, for vocation accompaniment, or to request the prayers of the elderly poor for your vocation discernment, please contact lspusapodcast@gmail.com. And for the sake of vocation awareness, kindly consider liking/sharing/subscribing/following our podcast; we’ll be so grateful!