From the desk of Sr. Elyse Marie

Advent, Christmas, a New Year, each full of opportunities to say "Yes" to the transforming grace found in the heart and mind of Christ. Through our acceptance of vocation ministry, we are intimately involved in the yearning of Advent, the mystery of Emmanuel, and the invitation to begin again as bearers of Christ in our world and time. Woven through December and January is Mary's "Yes".  Her fiat accompanies us in a particular way these months as we live out our response to and participation in these holy mysteries of our Emmanuel.

Recently I read that the initials of each Latin title in the O Antiphons-- Sapientia, Adonai, Radix, Clavis, Oriens, Rex, and Emmanuel -- combine to form SARCORE.  When this is arranged backwards, it spells ERO CRAS, which means "Tomorrow, I will be." The author went on to say, "This coincidence seems to be Christ answering our pleas".  I read, "Christ answering our pleas - to be with us as we become who we are called to be from our Baptism". It had not occurred to me before how these ancient antiphons, these Messianic titles for Christ, offer reflection for us as vocation ministers. Yet, indeed they do. Positioned as they are before our recitation of the Magnificat, Christ points us to his mother as the model of the faith, obedience and love capable of bringing Him into the world.  Mary's "Yes" empowers our own "Yes".

May the days and weeks ahead allow us to approach the ministry of vocation awareness and invitation with our focus on the coming of Jesus "in Scripture and sacraments, in community, in the poor, in the stirrings of our hearts" and in the joy of uttering, "Yes, Lord. Digo sí, Señor."

O Riens: Offering Sunlight and Watering Often

"O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice, come shine..."

We have to do more than simply "plant" the seeds of vocation awareness. These seeds need to be kept in the light and watered often. Our CAVA Education Committee programs do just that. Now and then our members will ask if we know what the "results" are for these efforts. Read on and decide for yourself.

At Annunciata School, Fr. Andrew Torma, MSC presented the Renewing Your Call faculty program. Out of a possible total of 240 collective points, the RYC evaluations totaled 239! Some of the comments by participants included:

"I have a deeper insight into my own vocation and the importance of developing vocations with my students."... "I gained insight into my own personal strengths and my role in education about vocations."...  "The activities helped me become aware of the impact I make on others."

After CAVA presented Individual Classroom Visits to grades K-5 and a Round Table Discussion on Vocations to Religious Life with the Junior High classes, St. Cyprian School sent the following message:

Thank you very much for helping to organize this past week's vocation presentation.  We had positive feedback from the students as well as the teachers.

Our Junior High students (round table) felt it was interesting and informative. This added to our religion class discussion on how God calls each of us. Often we talk about taking some quiet time to hear God speak. Always trying to "plant" the seed. 

Our primary teachers and students just loved Sr. Kathleen!  The teachers felt she was very good with the little ones and as she moved to the 4th and 5th graders she kept them engaged.

Thank you again for your sharing this program with us.

                You too can be a part of these rewarding experiences. Available to all of our CAVA members are excellent Vocation Presentation Outlines for grades 1 - High School. These outlines, shared with us by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, offer many helpful ideas for converting your passion for our consecrated lives into age-appropriate presentations. Once you read these over, you will be confident to add your name to our list of Education Program presenters!

Click here for 1^st - High School Vocation Presentation Outlines

                         (Username and Password located below)

CAVA web Membership page  

Username: vocationscava

 Password: avemarie

O Rex Gentium: CAVA Latina - Creando relaciones

 "King of all nations, the only joy of every human heart..."

Thank you, Go with God, & Welcome

           With deep appreciation we bless Sr. Margaret Anne Meyer, MMM and Sr. Lovina Pammit, OSF as they are both assigned to new missions in New York and California respectively.  Both of you have been an integral part of the work and ministry of CAVA.  You have taught us much and we are grateful for all you have selflessly given to CAVA over the years. Go with God, friends!

          At the same time we welcome Sr. Maria Brizuela OSF, Sr. Eibhlin (Eileen) Ni Chuirc (Quirke) MMM, Sr. Sheila Lehmkuhle FMM and  Fr. Timothy Zak SDB, to the collaborative vocation ministry of CAVA. Let us know if there is any way we may be of help to you in your vocation ministry. Be sure to visit us at www.VocationsCAVA.org  to see how we can help you with your event advertising, many helpful resources, and numerous ways of joining in the work of CAVA. (Members only page -Username: vocationscava; Password: avemarie) And know we hope to see you whenever you can join us at our meetings and events, most of which are in the calendar list in the right hand column.