Opportunity knocks....

The 25th of February 2007 saw a historic occasion take place at Croke Park, headquarters of the GAA, the native Irish sports of football and hurling. Landsowne Road, where rugby and soccer matches are normally played was being renovated. Consequently Ireland played England in rugby at Croke Park and Ireland actually won, 43 points to 13!One week onward, same venue but a different ball game is being played as Croke Park plays host to Opportunites 2007.

Over the weekend over 90,000 people, predominantly secondary school goers, youth and young adults visited the 450 plus stands among which Vocations Ireland were also present together with the Dublin Diocese. Various religious congregations participated in being available at the stand both to talk to passersby about priesthood and religious life or to hand out leaflets. It was also a strong witness value in that religious life and priesthood must be offered as an option to the younger generations today.

The response received was very positive and the petition basket was overflowing as many stopped to write their requests and prayers which will be passed onto our enclosed sisters and other Congregations who carry out their prayer before the Blessed Sacrament including our own Congregation.

As this so-called JP2 generation has come of age, religious orders have begun to reach out again to young people--and to do so in the language that young people speak. Convents conduct e-mail correspondence with interested women, blogs written by sisters give a peek into the habited life and websites offer online personality questionnaires to test vocations. One site, Vocation-network.org frames the choice much like a dating service, with Christ as the ultimate match!

Over the past year or so, the more I come in contact with the younger generatations aswell as my peers, I realise that every means must be used to extend the precious invitation of religious life, to offer it as an option in a society that tries to 'hide it under a bushel'. However it was in the past few months that after some gentle persuasion that I did succumb to the idea of starting a blog. I act as moderator in an Italian chatroom for a Catholic website, just an hour a week, offering some contributions in the field of prayer, bible, liturgy etc.

However recently I see that there is a great hunger to discern the will of God, to see the route where He is bringing people. I now find myself carrying out 'virtual vocation work', helping these young people read the wonders and marvels God is doing in their lives and respond in generosity. It truly is an interesting experience because I can link them up them to our sisters there when they want to begin a more profound and meaningful discernment journey.

You too may have questions, a curiousity, ever wonder what exactly do sisters do but were afraid to ask, just let me know and I'll get back to you. In the meanwhile happy and holy browsing and come and visit again.