Making an Informed Choice

(Some of the material in this section comes from Resources of Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia (CVMA) Used with permission.)

Some Help For Making An Informed Life-Choice:

PRAYER: 
Make a habit of praying – even a few minutes a day.
Pray alone and with others.

TALKING WITH OTHERS:
Consult with adults whom you trust, about your future.  BE willing to explore your options, including religious life.

STUDY:
Learn more about your own Catholic faith. Read, attend courses, discuss with others to discover what it means to be a young Catholic today.

SERVICE:
Look for ways to be involved in ongoing service to others.

BELONGING:
Participate in a parish community on a regular basis through worship and outreach.

CONNECTING:
Find ways to connect with some sisters and invite them to share with you their vocation stories.
Contact the National Vocations Office: 
Phone:   (02) 95506212
Email:  www.catholicozvocations.org.au

LOOKING:
Become familiar with vocations-focussed resources (use the internet) and read articles about religious life, the vows, discernment etc. in magazines which sisters would be able to direct you to.

SUPPORTING:
Talk with your friends about future options and choices, so that you can be sources of encouragement for each other.

TRYING IT OUT:
Take advantage of retreat opportunities or other youth/young adult events at your parish or school.  Participate in discernment weekends or programmes.

Young People’s Prayer for Discerning Their Vocation

God our Father,
I know you love me and are calling me to Choose Life!
But sometimes, I am overwhelmed by the thought of my future.  It’s scary!
Help me to listen to your call – in all the ways you speak to me:
through prayer and the scriptures,
through the Church and the circumstances of my life,
through those who love and care for me,
and through my own hopes and desires.
Guide me to search openly and learn about life’s choices,
so that I may respond generously to your call,
and choose the vocation that will enable me
to love wholeheartedly,
and serve others with the special gifts you have given me.
God, today I thank you for your love,
and for all your gift of life holds for me.  Amen.

A Vocation Discernment Prayer

God, I know you love me and have great plans for me.
But sometimes I am overwhelmed by the thought of my future.
I sense that you may be calling me to be a sister.
Show me how to walk forward one day at a time.
May I have the courage to search openly,
to learn about my choices,
to listen to the advice of others,
and pay attention to my own feelings
but most importantly to listen to you.
By doing this, I trustingly respond to your call,
Believing that you will lead me to fullness of life.
My deepest desire is to serve you,
so I trust that you will give me
whatever I need to follow wherever you my lead.
AMEN.