Grade School

High School

College Student

Post College and 2nd Career

Grade School Just as you have tools to do your school work---markers, ruler, a pair of scissors, glue---priests have tools too.  Tools of a Religious Brother or Sister                               GOTO TOP   High School Give these a try:  1.    Get involved in parish, school, or community service. You will hone your leadership skills and begin to experience the challenges of motivating and building group consensus.  2.   Get involved in forensics, debate, or drama. All of these activities can help you deal with stage fright and give you confidence in thinking on your feet.  3.   Get involved in your parish as an acolyte, lector, eucharistic minister, parish council member, choir member, youth group member or religious education teacher.  4.   Pray daily. Ask God what he needs you to do with your life.  5.   Attend a vocation function and meet      other high school students interested      in learning more about religious life.      Call  or email Sister Rosemary Ann      Cuneo, C.R.( at 518-674-3818 or      rosemary.cuneo@rcda.org) to find out      what events are scheduled. GOTO TOP   College Student Keeping Doors Open:  1.   Take full advantage of career advisement, career fairs and other services offered by your college or university. A decision to say "yes" to religious life must be a free and informed choice.  2.   Keep a journal. Writing is an excellent way to see what ideas come up repeatedly, to identify areas of progress and to surface topics for discussion with someone you trust.  3.   Investigate the academic requirements of religious life. You may be able to major in a field that will help you in your future ministry as a religious brother or sister.   For information, contact Sister Rosemary Ann Cuneo, C.R. at rosemary.cuneo@rcda.org or 518-674-3818.   4.   Get involved in campus ministry. Find out firsthand if you have the ability to take a stand and to be of service while interacting with people at various places in their faith journeys. Being a peer leader, Bible study facilitator, music minister or liturgical reader will offer you the opportunity to start to "go public" in ministry.  5.   Get involved in your Newman Club, campus ministry or local parish. Attend Mass weekly and perhaps occasionally during the week. Continue to pray asking what God is calling you to do with your life.  GOTO TOP   Post-College and Second Career Women and Men Seven Steps: 1.   Explore your options. Does religious life keep coming to mind?  2.   Gather information. What appeals to you about religious life? Do you have a realistic idea of what a religious brother or sister does, i.e., the rewards and sacrifices?  3.   Talk to someone you trust. Listen for affirmation of your strengths and feedback about areas in which you would like to experience growth.   4.   Get involved. Religious life is foremost a life of service. Get a feel for service by volunteering in your parish or a community outreach program.  5.   Have people told you that you'd be a good religious brother or sister? What types of activities give you real meaning? God uses these people and events in our life. What is God telling you?  6.   Pray. It is God who calls people to religious life. Every step along the way involves an invitation from God and your response.  7.   Contact the Vocation Office. This is not a sign-on-the-dotted-line move. The Vocation Office can supply you with information on each of the above steps. Only when you are ready, the Vocations Office will guide you through the admissions process.    GOTO TOP

Questions and Answers Why should I think about becoming  a religious? Because Jesus and our faithful people need good religious!   What do religious do all day? They do God’s work here on earth.  Religious pray, help people teach, work with the poor, and do many other life-giving things!  Are most religious happy? Yes, most religious are very happy and find their lives rewarding.  Is it easy to become a religious brother or sister? It takes time and hard work to become a good baseball player or piano player.  It’s the same with becoming a good religious sister or brother.  But don’t let that discourage you!  Anything worthwhile takes time and hard work.     What’s a convent or monastery? A place is a school where religious women (convent) or religious men (monastery) live.                        What should I do if I think I may want to become a religious brother or sister someday? Get involved in your parish as an altar server or maybe as a reader. Talk to your parish priest or religious in school or in your parish and, most importantly, keep saying your prayers and going to Church. You may also want to look at http://www.visionguide.info/. New Information, Click Here!     You have talents and abilities that set you apart. As you make plans for college, consider the advantages of a Catholic institution.   If you are thinking about religious life, it would be good to find out what ministries the Religious Communities which you are drawn to, engage in.   As you explore the various academic majors open to you, keep this in mind.  Would teaching or health care be your focus?  Would counseling?  Adding Theology and Philosophy to your course load might also be beneficial. The Vocation Office or individual Vocation Directors (every Community has a person who serves in this capacity), could help you in this regard. Frequently Asked Questions Interested in a Retreat  New Information, Click Here!         Women’s Discernment Group Are you looking for fellowship, support and feedback as you discern your vocation?   Consider joining our discernment group for women:  college age and older. We meet 3 - 4 times a semester. You are welcome to attend as many gatherings as your schedule permits.  Is there a commitment to attend the discernment group?   No. But, the women who attend are serious about trying to figure out God's will in their lives.  Will I experience pressure of the "hard sell"?   No.  This is an opportunity to help you to clarify your options, to better recognize God speaking in everyday life and to grow in self knowledge.  Can I be dating and attend the discernment group meetings?   Yes. One can discern religious life and marriage concurrently for a while. Eventually, one must give all their energies to discerning one call or the other. Frequently Asked Questions Interested in a Retreat  New Information, Click Here!         Women and Men’s Discernment Group Are you looking for fellowship, support and feedback as you discern your vocation? Consider joining our discernment group for women and men:   college-age and older. We meet 3 - 4 times a semester. You are welcome to attend as many gatherings as your schedule permits.  Is there a commitment to attend the discernment group? No. But, the people who attend are serious about trying to figure out God's will in their lives.  Will I experience pressure of the "hard sell"?    Can I be dating and attend the discernment group meetings?   Yes. One can discern religious life and marriage concurrently for a while. Eventually, one must give all their energies to discerning one call or the other.  Frequently Asked Questions Interested in a Retreat  New Information, Click Here!