Vocation Awareness Week

We are nearing the end of the 2009 Vocation Awareness Week. During this week, special emphasis is given to the promotion and encouragement of vocations to the priesthood, religious life, consecrated life and the permanent diaconate. This week is also an opportunity for us to remember the many priests and religious that have had an impact in our lives.

I went to elementary school at the Catholic grade school attached to our parish. Fortunately, the school was staffed with many wonderful Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross. In addition to learning the "three Rs" and the Catholic faith, we learned many other lessons thanks to the Sisters. Sister Elise taught all of us how to throw a baseball like her favorite player, Cesar Geronimo. Sister Marion developed a wonderful game called "Buzz/Whoo" in which two teams would compete with each other to see how quickly they could answer questions about current events.

I recall a particular incident that demonstrated the strong bond between the Sisters and the school/Church community. Our parents were notified very early one morning that our school was closed. We didn't know why. Of course, we were overjoyed to have an unexpected day off. Several of us boys got together to figure out what games we could play. During the deliberations, one of the boys mothers informed us of the reason for the school closing. Sister Kathryn Le Roy, a very young Sister, suddenly passed away during the night. We found out later that she passed away due to complications from a congenital heart defect. We did not know Sister Kathryn, because she was not a teacher at our school. However, she lived in the convent with the other Sisters we knew. When we learned this, we no longer felt like playing. While we were young boys, we loved the Sisters and, even though we may not have shown it, we were very grateful for all that the Sisters did for us and our families. Their loss was our loss and we grieved with them.

We felt like we had to do something, but we didn't know what. We thought about getting flowers for the Sisters, but we didn't want to disturb them during a time of mourning. The same mother that broke the news to us about Sister Kathryn suggested that we go to Church and spend time praying for the Sisters. We thought that would be appropriate, even though, as young boys, it was difficult for us to sit still anywhere - let alone in a Church. The mother called the rectory to see if it would be OK for a few boys to come to Church for 30 minutes and pray for Sister Kathryn, her family and the other Sisters. The mother was informed that the Church would be opened. Within 15 minutes, nearly 20 young boys entered the Church and spent 30 minutes praying for Sister Kathryn, her family and the other Sisters. Given that these were nearly 20 young boys, it might be more accurate to say that they spent 30 minutes in Church. However, I am sure that a fair amount of the time was spent in prayer! This was the least we could do for the Sisters that did so much for others.

As Vocation Awareness Week comes to a close, please remember the priests and religious that have had an impact in your life, especially women religious. Keep them in your prayers and, if possible, provide financial support to their communities. These are wonderful ways to express gratitude to them for following and living their vocations.