Hope and Humor

Hope and Humor

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Hope in vocation ministry is not an oxymoron

There are those who believe that the very phrase, “hope in vocation ministry,” is an oxymoron. Vocation ministers know all too well what it is to be surrounded by those-including some in our own congregations-who think religious life is on its way out, based on their own attitudes and experience. Read more...

Creating a hopeful future for religious life

By John Klein F.M.S.

Several years ago former New York Mayor Ed Koch bemoaned that “…there are so few people who are fierce about anything.”1 Today we are challenged to be on fire, fierce, for the Mission of Christ, for that is our call as religious. Read more...

Let’s celebrate consecrated life

By Katherine Doyle R.S.M.

The author of this article presented these reflections in February 2002 during a celebration of Consecrated Life Day in the Diocese of Sacramento, Calif. Read more...

Fools for Christ: Promoting vocations in tumultuous times

This address was delivered at the opening of the September, 2002 Convocation of National Religious Vocation Conference. Read more...

Nurturing a hope rooted in Jesus

Nurturing a hope rooted in Jesus

By Br. Paul Bednarczyk C.S.C.

Let's look to our Savior, remember our heroes in faith, and keep a grateful heart. Read more...

Hope and security: new foundations

By David Couturier O.F.M., Cap.

Religious communities can tap into a rich source of hope by clinging to their faith foundations and consciously embracing a God of abundance—rejecting the culture’s philosophy of scarcity and competition. Read more...

How I stay healthy and hopeful as a vocation minister

By Renee Daigle M.S.C.

A threefold formula has helped this vocation minister to thrive for a decade: a mixture of healthy living, spiritual groundedness and an ability to focus on signs of new life. Read more...

Hope from the trenches

By Father Jim Kent, O.F.M. Conv.

A seasoned vocation minister tells how he has watered a wellspring of hope through 12 years of ministry. Read more...

Would life on this planet be any different without religious life?

By Annmarie Sanders I.H.M.

When a sister is asked to explain her life, she sees anew the value of living with a group whose main purpose is to be “the life of God in the world.” Read more...

Hope begins where hope begins

By Michael Downey

Hope is our driving force, our sign of faith, our source of comfort, our cure for despair. It is essential to life. Read more...

You are God’s unshakable hope

By Fr. Joseph Delargy O.C.S.O.

The ordinary calling of St. Aelred to religious life centuries ago offers nuggets of wisdom to modern-day vocation ministers. Read more...

Renew the glory of your vocation by clinging to the hand of God

By Br. Paul Bednarczyk C.S.C.

Why must something so beautiful—seeking God’s call—so frequently be difficult? The paradoxes of vocation ministry are resolved in surrendering to God, who bestows and sustains each person’s vocation. Read more...

Hope in an anxious age

By Sr. Doris Gottemoeller R.S.M.

Religious can find plenty of reasons to feel anxious today, but our Christian roots offer a balm. Read more...

Signs of vitality in religious life

Signs of vitality in religious life

By Sr. Gemma Simmonds CJ

Early results from a British study of vitality in religious life reveal signs of hope for the future. Read more...

11 reasons to keep building our future

11 reasons to keep building our future

By Fr. Bernhard Eckerstorfer O.S.B.

We need a fresh perspective on religious life and a new way of thinking about the present and future. Read more...

Reflection: God does more than we can ask or imagine

By Sr. Catherine Bertrand S.S.N.D.

We are also turned upside down—every time we are faced with change or choices, we are forced to see things in a whole new way. Again and again we encounter the God of surprises. Read more...

Taking ourselves lightly: a place for humor and play in discernment

Taking ourselves lightly: a place for humor and play in discernment

By Sister Michele Vincent Fisher C.S.F.N.

Laughter, creativity and play can help us grow spiritually. And these essential attributes can help those in vocation discernment relax enough to hear God’s call. Read more...

God has shouted, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Creating communities of hope

Hope is deeply rooted in the Christian vision. If religious communities are going to offer this virtue to the world, a closer look at its many dimensions can help. Read more...

What gives me hope

By Jennifer Gordon S.C.L. and Mary Catharine Perry OP

Youthfulness and hopefulness tend to go together. These three young religious point to a dozen reasons for optimism about religious life. Read more...

Feed your spirit: Spirit still alive in “shaky situations”

Feed your spirit: Spirit still alive in “shaky situations”

By Fr. Conall O’Cuinn S.J.

A parable about a postman reveals truths about following our own call and sparking a vocation in others. Read more...

Laughing with the saints

Joy, humor and laughter in the spiritual life

By Fr. James Martin S.J.

Humor, joy and laughter have been undervalued by the church for centuries. But it’s time to reclaim them, and vocation ministers may just want to lead the way. Read more...

Feed your spirit: The gates of hope

Feed your spirit: The gates of hope

By Victoria Safford

Our mission is to plant ourselves at the gates of hope. Read more...

Book notes: Reminder of God

Book notes: Reminder of God

By Sister Michele Lesher S.S.J.

It is precisely recognizing and claiming our brokenness and sinfulness that enable us to be amazed by God. Francis believes that this reception of God’s mercy and love in our own lives enables us to extend similar kindness to others. Read more...

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Sister Tarianne DeYonker, O.P.

Sister Tarianne DeYonker, O.P.

Sister Tarianne DeYonker, O.P. is part of the vocation team for the Adrian Dominican Sisters headquartered in Michigan. Her six-person vocation team initiates and nurtures relationships with many young adults--especially those who are making decisions about how to use their gifts. Read more...

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