Vocations topic of meetings

"There is literally nothing I do that couldn't be done by other people, so it isn't the doing," she noted. "It's `this is who I'm called to be, and this is how I'm called to be' -- living in community with other women, living in celibacy, listening to God's call. If I were to stop all the `doing,' there'd still be my `being.'"

During the six-session program, set to begin in November, several topics will be covered, including: Is God calling me to religious life? What is community living? What do sisters do? What should I do if I feel this call?

In the past, said Sister Kitty, one-day "vocations discernment evenings" were held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany. But when attendance began to drop, the Vocations Team realized a series of meetings might be more appropriate.

"There is abundant information out there for someone who wants to get married, but less information available about religious life," Sister Kitty said. Since "a number of people don't even know what it is they want to ask," she added, much of the sessions will focus on teaching. But ample opportunity will be given for questions, as well.

Some common questions for those thinking about a vocation include age limits for joining a religious order, educational requirements and whether health problems are an obstacle. Sister Kitty added that parents have even come to past vocation meetings to ask questions about what their child's vocation means.

The upcoming sessions "are not a technique to try to get people to sign up and be sisters," she said. "But there are people out there saying, `I don't even know where to go to get my questions answered,' or operating under misconceptions."

"Women Searching" is a step forward in another way, she added: It's collaborative. While religious communities once competed for candidates, they now work together in helping those interested in a vocation find the religious community that most suits them.

("Women Searching" will be held one Sunday afternoon a month from November through April. There is no charge. Participants are not required to attend all six sessions. The Sisters of St. Joseph's Provincial House and the Little Sisters of the Poor's Our Lady of Hope Residence in Latham were chosen as sites to give participants an idea of how women religious live. If the program is continued, other religious communities will have a turn. For information, call 453-6670.)

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