From the desk of Sr. Elyse Marie

     A few weeks ago I was hiking on the west side of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Surrounding me were pines, firs, aspen's, cottonwoods, juniper and sage. In the midst of these were incredibly intricate lichens and mosses seemingly small and insignificant. These are critical members of the vibrant eco-system in the forests. Grasses were abundant. Wildflowers dotted the landscape. On one trail we encountered elk, and yes, a moose! Each waterfall, river, creek and rock formation spoke of grace and power. Encompassed in this picture I became emerged in the truth of collaboration and heard Paul's "...may there be no dissension in the body but that all the members may be concerned for one another." 1Cor 12:25 echoes in the scene around me. My heart thought of you, the members of CAVA, who choose to work together for the common goal of creating a culture of vocations in the church of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Animated with the powerful value of an abundant worldview, you choose working together over competition.

      My hope is that each of you will be able to join us for our CAVA General Meeting for New & Returning Memberson Thursday, September 1, 2011. There you will have the opportunity to share best practices with each other, network, be updated, offer each other advice on what works and what may not work, as well as pray together, maybe even sharing a laugh or two. Pack your back-pack. Bring your willing spirits, energized hearts and curious minds ready to take part in the life giving reality of CAVA's collaborative vocation awareness ministry. (Hiking shoes are not necessary though recommended!) See you soon!    

September 1, 2011 - CAVA General Meeting for New & Returning Members

     Our annual CAVA General Meeting for New & Returning Members  to kick off the year is planned for Thursday, September 1, 2011, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM at the Felician Sisters Convent, 3800 West Peterson Ave., Chicago, IL 60659. Throughout the day we will address your questions and concerns and describe how members can participate in the CAVA ministry, making it part of your own vocation work. Veteran members will share best practices, insights from the field, and advise on ways of managing your resources.

      For those who can make it the Sisters have invited us to join them for their 7:50 AM Mass. Followed by a light continental breakfast. The whole group will begin gathering at 9:00 AM, with the day being completed by 3:00 PM. Both a continental breakfast and a lunch are provided. Click here , scroll to the bottom of the page and register today. You may also register by calling the office at 312-534-5240 or email CAVA@ArchChicago.org

 Subject: Sept. 1.

CAVA & Theology on Tap

Due to the collaborative efforts of the Campus Ministry/Young Adult Committee, the Archdiocesan Young Adult Ministry Office and Dr. Kate DeVries, we were blessed to have four CAVA members as presenters in the Archdiocesan Theology on Tap series this summer. Thanks also go to CAVA members, Srs. Maureen Fagan, OSF, Colette Fahrner, SLW, Durstyne Farnan, OP and Theresa Sullivan, DC for their following through with the process and being assigned evenings of presentation.

We asked our CAVA presenters to share their reflections about their experience. The following is what Sr. Durstyne has to share.

I had a great experience with Theology on Tap.  My topic, Vocation:  Call and Response in the Mission of Jesus, gathered close to 40 students on a warm 97 degrees evening in Chicago in a non air conditioned room!  Our evening began with a great dinner of lasagna, salad and cake.

The students were so willing to share their reflections and conversations with one another in small group and large group.  Some intimate sharing also took place.  Several stopped by after to have conversation and ask additional questions.  I videotaped a friend who is single and has dedicated her life to the single life for the sake of the mission and shared the video with the group. They found that interesting and informative as that is what some people asked me to do.  I invited three of our sisters to join me as well so that there could be other conversation and connections as well at the various tables. It was great to hear young adults say; "We are Theology on Tap hopping this summer". One couple came as far as Bartlet to U of C. It was their first visit to Calvert House. Liz Weigel, Campus Minister, our superb hostess, was very welcoming and supportive.  She said the evening was wonderful "as it got the young adults out of their heads"

One student who is a law student at Loyola made a connection with Sr. Theresa who ministers at Grace House in Chicago and they are going to see how she might serve that community.

Young adults nearing the end of their studies are wondering what to do with their life. I think discernment would be a really good topic for them. i.e. How to go about discerning next steps.

I'm so glad I pursued the connection with Kate Devries.  I have lots of pictures on Facebook, so take a look soon!  

South Bend, IN ---Here We Come!

All CAVA members (yes, CAVA men you are invited too) are invited to grab this opportunity to invite young adults to come along with us on Thursday, September 15, and/or Saturday, September 24 , to the Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America traveling exhibit at the Center for History in South Bend, IN. The exhibit, celebrating the story of women religious in the United States, is coming to South Bend, IN, September 2- December 31, 2011. It is a remarkable story of grace, profound faith, indomitable hope and generative love, evidenced over and over again through congregation after congregation of sisters.   Have you seen it yet? Would you like to? Are you like many who want to see it "again"? If you know of any young women or men you may want to invite please do. It is a unique chance to share the story of our lives as religious women with our younger members of church.

            Our plan is to car pool. As a group of 20+ (each date) we will receive a discounted entrance fee. The cost varies depending upon your membership level in CAVA. (See list below.) Lunch is arranged for our group at the historical Tippecanoe Place Restaurant close to the museum. After lunch you will want to return to the exhibit. Departure time is negotiable with our drivers but we recommend another hour or two after lunch to complete reading through and experiencing the exhibit. Help us reach our goal of 20+ for each date. Let's work together to invite young adults, community members and others to join us.

Cost: Includes your entrance to the museum, lunch, and sharing the cost of gas with our drivers.

Full Members - $20.00

Associate Members - $25.00

Non-members - $30.00

Students/Young adults - $10.00

Click here to register online today. Or call/e-mail at 312-534-5240/ CAVA@ArchChicago.org - Subject line: Road Trip! Checks are made out to CAVA and sent to Sr. Elyse Ramirez, OP, Office for Religious/CAVA, PO Box 1979, Chicago, IL 60690-1979. You may also pay the day of the trip. If the cost above is prohibitive please contact the office so that we can work something out for you to join us.

Facebook Workshops I, II & III - Choose

            At each gathering of the Called Series Discernment evenings we ask the new participants how they found out about the event. Inevitably two answers occur again and again - the website & Facebook! What level are you when it comes to using Facebook as part of the social networking in your vocation ministry? CAVA is offering three Tuesday workshops each one designed to fit the needs of the participants.  (Username: vocationscava Password: avemarie

 Workshop I, September 20 is for members who do not even have a Facebook page and are ready to get started. In Workshop I you will be able to create your Facebook page and begin to familiarize yourself with the concept

 Workshop II, October 4 builds on I. Using facebook to get the word out. In Workshop II you will learn about Friends,  How to reach out and communicate with others and Account settings.

  Workshop III, October 18 builds on II. Creating an Event. In this workshop you will learn to create events to promote your community, you will learn to how to create a Photo Album, how to post videos and articles. 

     You may want to sign up for just one, two or all three. Fees for each workshop I, II, and III -Full Member fee $5.00. Associate Member fee $16.00. Pay at the door. Space is limited.   Click here for online registration. You will need to use the CAVA members Username: vocationscava and Password: avemarie . Or call/e-mail at 312-534-5240/CAVA@ArchChicago.org - Subject line: Workshops

 Year of Teens and Young Adults

     As described in the July newsletter, the newly unveiled Archdiocesan Strategic Pastoral Plan: Reflect Christ's Light, has designated July 2011-June 2012 as the Year of Teens and Early Young Adults.

     A valuable resource is available online for all of you who are looking for ways of talking with teens and early young adults in your vocation ministry. Click here for a Guide for Conversations designed for listening sessions with teens and early young adults. The guide offers valuable insights for us in our own ministry, though you may not be planning a listening session. The entire Pastoral Plan may be found at http://www.archchicago.org/StrategicPastoralPlan/ .