Stewards answer the call of God

Stewardship

By Sr. Laura Zelten, OSF

On Feb. 5, the church recognizes and expresses gratitude for those who have consecrated their lives to God as religious. World Day for Consecrated Life is the occasion to promote this life choice as one of the ways to live out our baptismal commitment.

Recently I came across a book called Forgetting Yourself on Purpose. I thought that was a great vocation line. Isn't that exactly what we do in our life choice as women and men religious?

Religious are dedicated to serving the mission of Jesus. We are seized with an over whelming, all consuming desire to give ourselves directly to Christ and the church. A call to consecrated life requires the risk of stepping outside the safety of the crowd, beyond the normal route Christians generally are called to travel.

On Feb. 5, the church invites people who are generous, adventurous, committed, and single-minded to become disciples willing to risk and capable of forgetting themselves on purpose in the particular and unique way of consecrated life. Why? So as to be God's visible instruments in helping those in need and serving the church.

Whether you are called to consecrated life or another life choice be passionately ambitious to find the best place where the demands of Love inspire you to forget yourself on purpose.

(Sr. Zelten is director of vocation ministry for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, Bay Settlement.)

Answer to God's whisper

By Sr. Mary Jo Kirt, OSF

Being a Sister was the answer to God's whisper in my heart when I was confirmed in 4th grade. Bp. Stanislaus Bona told me that I would be a Sister some day. Now, almost 50 years later, I am so excited that God took a chance with me!

My life as a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross has been about praying and working with great women who have God's love as their energy.

I have loved being the arms of God in the lives of many people. My life has taken me to places and people who hungered to know God's passionate love and healing.

As I lead people in prayer at the birth of a child or at the death of a loved one or at the loss of sobriety, I know that Jesus walked this journey many times and gives healing and courage to those I "walk" with. I love being a Sister and am thankful that God lives through me and my Sisters.

(Sr. Kirt is parish director at Ss. Peter & Paul, Hortonville and diocesan delegate for religious.)