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Sept. 14, 2006
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Vocations program taps
into Theology on Tap |
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Young adults gather at local pub to discuss vocations |
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Sr. Lela Nelson, a Daughter of Charity from Chicago, talks about her vocation to religious life during an evening of discussion about vocations on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Derry Hegarty's Pub in Milwaukee. The event, modeled after Theology on Tap, was sponsored by the Vocation Ministers of the Milwaukee Archdiocese. (Catholic Herald photo by Sam Lucero)
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MILWAUKEE — With the success of the Theology on Tap program, aimed at adults aged 21-39, the Vocation Ministers of the Milwaukee Archdiocese (VMMA) launched “How Do I Know?” — a vocations evening on Aug. 16 at Derry Hegarty’s Pub.
Although the subject of committing to a lay or religious vocation might seem inconsistent with the atmosphere of a pub and grill, it’s exactly this informality that has made Theology on Tap successful.
“It really gives young adults the opportunity to come together, in a casual environment, to meet vocation ministers and learn that they have our support,” said Jeffrey Montoya, vice president of VMMA.
Montoya said feedback received from local Theology on Tap gatherings, as well as national input, showed young adults felt the method and style of these sessions were very positive. It was a natural step, then, to focus on vocations.
“Young adults are searching; they’re on a faith journey,” explained Karen Henning, treasurer of VMMA. “This evening is an opportunity to not only hear from those in vocations about their experiences, but also to meet vocations ministers to find out how we can serve them.”
President of VMMA, Sr. Rose Sevenich, a Sister of St. Francis of Assisi, said the evening was also a great opportunity to unite two groups within the Catholic Church that might not have received much attention.
“We realized that young adults 21 to 39 years old are somewhat invisible. We have programs for teens, for seniors, but nothing that addressed young adults. Theology on Tap was an answer to that need,” she explained. “Then we realized that as vocations ministers, they didn’t realize we were here for them either. So this is a way to bring two ‘invisibles’ together.”
The evening featured a panel of three speakers answering questions about their respective faith journeys and how they came to commit to their vocations: Fr. Jason Lavann, a newly-ordained priest serving as associate pastor at St. Matthias Parish, Milwaukee; Salvatorian Br. Blaire Mazur, a religious brother for the past four years; and Sr. Lela Nelson, a Daughter of Charity based in Chicago for the past two and a half years.
Each was asked three questions: How did you get started? How do you know you’re on the right path? What has been the most difficult challenge for you?
While the answers varied, similar themes were apparent.
“I have learned to walk like an apostle, as messy as that is and as joyful as that is,” said Br. Blaire, who at one time was discerning a religious vocation in a different denomination.
Fr. Lavann agreed with the assessment of religious vocation.
“I can say that I’ve never felt so unsettled and at times uncomfortable, but it’s a sign to me that I have left my life in God’s hands, and it has also brought me a fullness to life. … It’s been a marvelous, miraculous journey,” he said.
Not envisioning herself as a nun “like the ones you see running up a hillside and singing in the movies,” Sr. Nelson said once she had “stepped out on faith, I have realized a peace and contentment in knowing that I am making a difference.”
Many TOT attendees came to hear the stories, but also to work on their own. Some had a clearer vision of what they wanted to do, like Sara Paul, who is a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults candidate looking into lay ministry.
“I’m really interested in youth ministry, and having been to other Theology on Tap sessions, I liked the idea of the informal environment to meet other young people,” she said. She also appreciated hearing from the three panelists who were in her age group.
However, others were less clear on the “what” and wanted to learn “how.”
“I wanted to see what was out there, and how these people made a commitment,” said Erin Ong. “I’m not considering religious life, but even in marriage, you are committing to a vocation, and I want to learn how to stay committed.”
Jessica Dimaggio, who came as support for Ong, also found value in hearing that all people discerning a vocation struggle along the way.
“I feel the same way in deciding what to do in college, and it’s interesting and helpful to hear their stories,” she said.
While words like vocation and commitment are often applied to religious orders, changing that perception was one of the goals of the evening, said Sr. Rose.
“Vocation is not just about priesthood or sisterhood. We’re trying to expand that definition to include lay ministry, marriage and single vocations,” she said. “We need to create a culture of discernment, and vocations ministers need to engender that and provide support.” |
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