The Voice
By S. Andrea Koverman
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“… [T]he sheep hear his voice as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out … he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice” John 10:1-10.
I write this on the fourth Sunday of Easter, otherwise known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In John’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Pharisees (and all of us), that his sheep, his own, know his voice and will follow him when he calls. That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Of course, we consider ourselves followers of Jesus, one of his own, but when was the last time (if ever) that you heard an actual voice calling your name and recognized it as that of Jesus? As a discerner, I was perplexed for a long time about the language used around discernment. From my first initial conversations, there was reference to being called, hearing the call, responding to God’s call. As much as I wanted to feel “called,” I just wasn’t sure I actually was. I certainly hadn’t heard a voice from the heavens saying, “Andrea, you are called to be a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati,” and in my inexperience with religious-life lingo, that’s really what I thought was supposed to happen.
For a long time, I continued discerning and doing all the things that help in the process, like talking regularly with the vocation director and other Sisters, visiting the Motherhouse and several intentional communities in various places. I read a lot and prayed a lot but kept worrying that I had not heard “the call” yet. What I eventually came to understand is that the call often is more subtle than so direct as in Jesus’s parable. For me, it was more like Samuel as a youth. Every time he tried to go to sleep, Samuel sensed that Eli needed him and he hopped up and went running in response. After three rounds of this, wise Eli who had not been summoning Samuel realized that it was actually God that was.
Discernment can be like that. When you are otherwise occupied and not even thinking about the decision you are trying to make, you find your thoughts wandering back to what attracts you, interests you, fascinates you. It’s hard NOT to think about it. It is as if what is deepest in your heart is trying to find its voice and is calling you in the right direction. Don’t worry if you are not hearing voices but do pay attention to what preoccupies your thoughts and is in your heart. Remember that God has made a dwelling place right there. Follow your heart and you will be following the Good Shepherd, wherever he may be leading you.
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A Leap of Faith: Charism Alive at Federation House of Charity |
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Thirteen years ago, S. Monica Gundler began a new journey as one of the founding members of the House of Charity, a collaborative ministry of the SC Federation rooted in hospitality, prayer, and service. Read More.
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Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Conclude 2023 Chapter |
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Sisters and Associates came together at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse from April 16-22, 2023 for the Chapter of Affairs and Elections, a gathering that takes place every four years to set direction and elect the next Leadership Council. Read More.
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Motherhouse, MSJU Welcome Screening of “At the End of the Santa Fe Trail” |
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Sisters, Associates and friends of the SC Community were thrilled to have the opportunity to enjoy early screenings of “At the End of the Santa Fe Trail,” a film based on the life of Servant of God S. Blandina Segale. On Friday, March 24, 2023, showings were held at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse as well as Mount St. Joseph University and were joined by Tomas Sanchez, the film’s director; Steven Istock, executive producer; and Gabriel Sanchez, actor/set dresser/stunts. “At the End of the Santa Fe Trail” is based on S. Blandina’s journal entries and letters from her time spent in the West. The film debuted at the Santa Fe Film Festival in February, earning Sanchez the honor of best director, and is next headed to the Cannes Film Festival this month. |
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2023 North American Vincentian Family Gathering |
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The 2023 North American Vincentian Family Gathering will be held Oct. 26-29, 2023 at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. International performing arts group Gen Verde will be part of the program. For more information about the gathering, visit www.navincentianfamilygathering2023.com. Jimmy Walters, SC Federation NGO representative to the UN, is also the convener for this year’s gathering.
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May is Mental Health Awareness month! People of faith need support and care for their mental health, which is intimately intertwined with our spiritual well-being. In discernment, we want to make decisions when we are in a place of health. This app is a free tool to nurture your mental health, with both active and walking meditations of varying lengths as well as short lessons on brain science. Try it a few times a week to enrich your awareness, connection, insight, and purpose - all integral to discernment. |
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New GroupMe Announcement Groups |
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SC Vocations has a new way to stay connected and RSVP for events! Join our GroupMe announcement group(s) today by clicking the link(s):
1. SC Discernment Group: Open to single, Catholic women, ages 18-40, who want to explore the possibility of religious life with a supportive peer community. Monthly virtual discernment group, plus other special events.
2. SC Faith Sharing: Open to young adult women, ages 18-40, who want to seek God, share faith, support each other, and grow as leaders (not just for those discerning religious life). Meets virtually every other month.
3. Charity Connect: For young adult women seekers in the Cincinnati area who want to connect with the Sisters of Charity for in-person prayer, service, community-building, and discernment opportunities.
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Upcoming Dates & Opportunities |
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May 7, 2023 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET – Virtual Discernment Group – “For Richer or Poorer: Pondering the Vow of Poverty in the 21st Century” with a panel from the Sisters of Charity Federation
May 9, 2023 – Feast of St. Louise de Marillac
May 18-21, 2023 – Discernment Retreat (El Paso, Texas)
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June 4, 2023 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET – Virtual Faith Sharing Group – “Faith, Sexuality, and Building an Inclusive Church” featuring Yunuen Trujillo, Esq.
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June 25, 2023 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET – Virtual Discernment Group – “Am I Called to Community Living?” featuring Sisters of Charity Annie Klapheke and Whitney Schieltz
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Save the Dates
· Discernment groups for the rest of the year: Sundays July 23,
Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 22, and Dec. 3 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET; Saturday,
Nov. 4 from 10 a.m.–noon ET
· Faith Sharing: Sunday, Aug. 6 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET
· Labor Day Service and Discernment Retreat: Sept. 1-4, 2023,
House of Charity, New Orleans. Registration will open June 1.
Contact Vocation Coordinator S. Tracy Kemme by texting 513-400-4628 or emailing vocations@srcharitycinti.org for more information about any of the above opportunities. Please RSVP for events through GroupMe.
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E-Vōc is the electronic newsletter from the Vocations Team of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati for single women wondering what new thing God is calling forth in their lives. To join the E-Vōc mailing list, contact Erin Reder at erin.reder@srcharitycinti.org. To unsubscribe, click here.
If you are interested in learning more about life as a Sister of Charity, visit our website at www.srcharitycinti.org.
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