| The Sisters of St. Basil the Great in Uniontown, Pa., are
sponsoring a “Retreat for Discernment” to enable women between the ages of
17 and 35 to explore the religious life as a member of their Community.
According to Vocation Directress Sister Jean Marie Cihota, OSBM,
participants in Life Quest will meet other young women eager to grow in
their relationship with God, and will have the opportunity to ask themselves
the deeper questions concerning the direction of their lives and to listen
for God’s response. |
LIFEQUEST |
“This weekend retreat is for all those young women who have felt an inner
calling of the Spirit to put the gifts God has given them, and their very
lives, into the service of His Church,” Sister Jean Marie said. “Sometimes
we feel our hearts being tugged but wonder how we can know with certainty
God’s plans for us. Often His voice is a soft whisper and we need to step
away from the high volume of our everyday lives to hear and to take the time
to really listen.”
Sister Jean Marie said she is genuinely enthused by what she sees as a
growing awareness of and willingness to consider a vocation to religious
life. Her contact list has grown to over 60 women from across the country
who personally have expressed a serious interest in contemplating a
commitment to life as a Sister of the Order of St. Basil the Great. Several
women already have responded to a recent mailing about the discernment
weekend and Sister Jean Marie hopes to hear from others as word about the
program spreads.
Posters promoting the Life Quest retreat and registration brochures have
been sent to every parish in the Metropolia, and individual Sisters are
making personal contacts as well.
There is no charge for the three-day discernment program that balances time
among formal presentations, guided reflections, group discussions and
private meditation. Meals and overnight accommodations will be provided.
Participants will share in the celebration of Divine Liturgy, Matins and
Vespers with the Community, as well as meals and social time.
It’s been a challenging time of transition for the Province, whose numbers
have declined over the past 40 years – from a height of 145 in the 1960s to
87 today – and as they’ve moved from a predominantly teaching apostolate to
wide-ranging ministries including prayer, social and pastoral work; youth
ministry and spiritual retreats; communications, cultural and heritage
studies, and translation and publication of liturgical books; religious
education, administrative work, and chancery, eparchial and seminary
ministries; health-related services; iconography, fine arts, and
ecclesiastical arts and sewing; and other province ministries. But, as a
member of the oldest monastic order in the world, Sister Jean Marie is
confident in God’s providence. “There is no doubt that the Holy Spirit is at
work in the Church,” she said. “All of us need to open our hearts to the
call. We all have an important part, a responsibility, in ensuring
vocations. If not as a priest or monastics ourselves, then as those who
invite, encourage, nurture and support the young men and women who are being
called.”
Women, 17 to 35, who want to explore that calling may obtain a registration
brochure from their parish priest or by writing to: Sister Jean Marie Cihota,
OSBM, 500 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 878, Uniontown, PA, 15401; or by phone
(724-438-8644) or email (srjeanmc@hotmail.com).
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