Vocation Awareness
Over the next several weeks the bulletin will carry vocation stories from some of our sons and daughters from Precious Blood who have chosen priesthood, deaconate or religious life in service to the Church.
April 29, 2007
I joined the Society of Mary (Marianists) aspirancy
soon after High School. The Brothers and Priests at Chaminade-Julienne had
shown me a particular compassion and support during a difficult period of time
during my high school years. I had also witnessed my Father’s faith in dealing
with a difficult son (only realized this later). This began the recognition of
the necessity of God and prayer in my life.
I soon found myself valuing the Community Spirit that the Brothers lived as I began to spend time with them in prayer and fellowship. Realizing that Religious Life in community was the best way to focus and develop my gifts and talents I moved on to the Novitiate year in 1983, professing first vows in 1985.
I have served in two cities, Kalamazoo, MI (6 years) where I ran the Diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities, (where I learned that I had zero administration skills), where my sensibilities toward Justice and issues of poverty were developed, and then Cincinnati, OH (18 years) where I am presently ministering. It was in Cincinnati that I found my true love and dedication for those who are poor.
Our community (three Brothers) resides in the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood, an inner-city neighborhood plagued by economic hardship, lack of opportunity, and often lack of hope. Yet this neighborhood is blessed with community spirit, a deep faith, and a generosity among its people that overshadows the difficulties we face due to our poverty.
The mission of our community is to bridge the gap between those with means and affluence, and those who find themselves struggling with the issues that arise out of their poverty. We offer a safe haven for those with means, to challenge and confront their prejudices and misconceptions about inner-city neighborhoods, and to dedicate themselves to the eradication of poverty when they return to their home places.
Among our guests we seek to develop a sense of simplicity and responsibility in regards to material things, and a sense of compassion and Gospel Responsibility toward our Brothers and Sisters who find themselves in poverty. We challenge the notion that there is little to be done about poverty in our country and world, and strive to give our guests the means and support to address issues of poverty in their own cities and neighborhoods.
We have welcomed guests from Cincinnati, Dayton, Notre Dame University, a Public School from Cleveland, and our own Brothers and Priests of the Society of Mary. In all we have welcomed and worked with over 1500 individuals over the 14 years we have been running our immersion program.
Of course, none of this is possible without the continued presence of the Holy Spirit, and Mary, Mother of the Poor.
Our faith and hope in the Kingdom of God is continually challenged by the effects of poverty, greed and violence. We constantly turn back to prayer and scripture to feed us with a vision of the Kingdom, where everyone has enough to eat, a place to shelter, and a purpose in life as a child of God. Without our grounding in prayer, our efforts are futile.
“My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your Justice burn.
Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn”
Canticle of the Turning, Rory Cooney 1990
Thanks for letting me share a bit of my story with my birth Parish which gifted me with my first fascination with Jesus and the Kingdom of God..
Bro. Mitch Schweickart, SM
May 6, 2007
Why I Became a Deacon
After working in industry for many years, I came to realize that I was running out of time to achieve my hopes of reaching a high-level position in the company. I was frustrated and discouraged at that prospect. After much praying and talking with my wife and some friends, I started to believe that God probably had some other plans for me in my later years. A good Christian co-worker encouraged me to let go of my desires and stop trying to control my life. I believe that was a turning point for me. I tried that and found I was blessed with a great sense of inner peace. Christ and my spiritual life became very important to me; interest in advancement on the job disappeared. I got involved in the parish as lector and distributor and I joined a scripture study group. Gene Wabler, the deacon at our parish at the time, was among the people I talked to. Gene told me a lot about the diaconate. He invited me to accompany him weekly to visit sick parishioners in local hospitals. I found that I was comfortable visiting and being present and compassionate to people in difficult situations or hurting in some way. I think I have always been a sensitive and caring person. As Gene’s eyesight began to fail he asked me to accompany and help him to set up and be with him as he baptized children. Soon my pastor, Father Clement Alt, learned about my interest in working with Gene and he encouraged me to consider the diaconate. As I was trying to decide about applying for the formation program, the Archdiocese changed the entrance requirements to include completion of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program’s certificate or degree program. I completed the degree program and then the deacon formation program. My dear wife supported and encouraged me every step of the way. I was ordained in September 1991 and assigned to our parish. I have been here ever since. I believe God has led my wife and me into an ever-deeper relationship with the Divine.
Dick Janowiecki
May 13, 2007
Vocation Story
by Sister Jeanette Buehler, CPPS
Years
ago I was
Vocation Director for our Community and teamed with other directors to give
vocation talks in high schools.
This often involved speaking to six groups a day. Invariably the question
directed to us was, “Why did you become a priest, brother or sister?” One day,
feeling a bit mischievous and tired of answering the same questions,
I thought I’d give a different answer than usual. So when the question arose
I
responded, “Because I was disappointed in love.” You can imagine how that
response got the attention of the whole class. I’m sure they thought some really
great story was about to be told! I was
almost sorry
to have to tell the truth as nothing that dramatic had actually happened. But it
was fun to get the initial reaction of the class!
In actuality the call I experienced to religious life was much more subtle. While I grew up in Resurrection Parish, I am considered a daughter of Precious Blood Parish as Mom and Dad moved to this parish by the time I officially entered the Community. It is good to share in the life of this parish!
To know my story is to understand the era in which I grew up. It was the time after World War II when the nation was experiencing new prosperity and a sense of stability. Most moms still worked within the homes and were there when the kids left for school and when they returned. Neighbors knew one another and looked out for each other. The Church was flourishing, with Catholic schools filled and parishes serving as the center of Catholic life. “Sister” and “Father” were always right.
Both Mom and Dad grew up under the influence of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Coldwater and Ft. Recovery respectively. Both had aunts and uncles who were members of Precious Blood religious congregations. There was a high regard for sisters, priests and brothers. Mom had actually thought about becoming a Sister herself until she met Dad! Mom and Dad modeled their commitment to parish life not just in terms of attending Mass and novenas, but also by involvement in parish activities. Unconsciously I believed I absorbed their respect for things of “the Church.” I suspect it was growing up with these influences that led to my desire to be a Sister. It was a desire I experienced early on when I would ask Mom to create a “habit and veil” for me out of a blanket so that I could play “Sister.”
I entered our high school aspirancy after graduating from eighth grade. Such a decision at that young age is hard to understand in our current culture. However, for that time it was acceptable, even honorable to have a daughter consider religious life. While separation from family and friends was difficult, there was a sense that I was being called to give my life to God. It is difficult to put into words, but that sense of call has not left me.
So much has changed in our world, our Church and religious life over the nearly 50 years since I became a Sister of the Precious Blood. What has not changed is the awareness that my vocation is a gift from God. I have been blessed with so much: education, service in ministries I would never have imagined, friendships, and opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.
Today, when I am asked how one knows if they have a religious vocation I tell them simply, “It’s a matter of the heart. When your heart feels at home, you have found your vocation.” I believe that sums up my own vocation story; my heart is at home with the Sisters of the Precious Blood.
May 27, 2007
Vocation Story
By Brother Jerry Schulte, C.PP.S.
When I think about how I came to be what I am, a
religious brother and a Missionary of the Precious Blood, I realize how
important my parents were to my vocation journey, especially my Dad. When I was
growing up in the small town of
Kalida, Ohio, my eighth-grade
teacher, Sr. Johanna, a Sister of Divine Providence, asked me if I ever thought
about becoming a priest, and Dad asked too, maybe as a follow up. Soon I was off
to a high school seminary all the way across the state in Canton, fondly known
as Brunnerdale. During my time there the Brothers seemed to shine and light my
way. I was attracted to their life and ministry, in particular those on the
farm. I did some serious discernment and then continued toward the life of
religious brother. It was not easy for my parents to see me change directions.
Much later in life they knew I was in the right place. I do believe the prayers
of Mom and Dad, and all my grandparents, the holy Sisters and more offered the
support needed for my perseverance to this day. Today there are many more
pulling for me including four sisters, six brothers and many nieces and nephews.
In over 50 years as a Precious Blood brother I have journeyed with many folks in different life styles and ministries. I spent 32 years tending to our community farms, over 25 at that special place, Brunnerdale. (Picture: Bros. Adrian Barga and Jerome Schulte at Brunnerdale) Many young men came to school there. While some followed the call to be Missionaries of the Precious Blood others took different paths but many listened to me while we worked together on the farm.
When our high school seminary closed in 1981 I had to discern what would come next. There was a need for a licensed boiler operator at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio, our religious Community’s retirement center. It was there that concern for the aged and ill members became a ministry on the side. But before I could pursue the hospital ministry I spent a year with our missionaries in Peru, South America. It was at a time when terrorism was a peak in the Andes Mountains. Inflation, fear, lack of electricity and running water, extreme pollution due to the mining industry and cold were part of the normal day at nearly 13,000 ft above sea level. I helped with the construction of a pastoral center. I was forced to learn some Spanish, which became very useful in later ministries.
Following that I enjoyed nearly eight years as hospital chaplain in Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Canton, Ohio; and East Chicago, Ind. It was a wonderful time of ministry as I dealt with everything from birth to death. It is indeed a blest ministry.
Today I am here as a Co-director of Initial Formation for men who are considering becoming Missionaries of the Precious Blood. With the others discerning their life’s call, we live in Gaspar House, formerly known as the old convent on Precious Blood Church property. The men who come to us continue to listen to the Lord as they try to understand what God has in mind for them. I am privileged to be part of their journey toward the eternal kingdom. Many are called, few are chosen to become Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
