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f e a t u r e v o c a t i o n n e w s

We Are Part of a Bigger Story

GRIeF Ask GOD to Show
You the
&

Journey

LOSS by Sr. Fran Gorsuch cOme & be, JuSt aS yOu are

Vocation Director
Sisters of Bon Secours, USA
during this time, with continuing health scares
Jesus gives each and feelings of isolation (or just way too much
togetherness), take the opportunity to come
of us as Christians and Be with yourself, with god and with others
Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20. this
tHE PaNdEmiC HaS CHaNGEd oUr find someone or have something to hold on to that fans a clarion vocational call when he says, virtual retreat will have limited Zoom time,
livES iN maNy UNExPECtEd WayS. the fire of God’s love from within.” She recommends “I am giving you a new commandment, prayer, reflection offerings, conversation
life-giving activities such as journaling, gardening, nature and above all time just to Be.
From the loss of jobs and homes to interrupted work walks, music and reading. She also suggests prayer and that you love one another; just as I have
and school routines, this past year has been a time reading devotions and Psalms. Annie explains, loved you, that you also love one another.”
especially when they could not be present when they died,” ‘‘ Our faith teaches us that we are part of a we will live out the command of Jesus: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
(John 13:34) In the poem “The Summer Day,” poet Mary Oliver poses a critical question about how
of uncertainty and multiple losses for many people.
“It has been particularly traumatic for those who have
bigger story, and an important factor in
lost a loved one, either to COVID-19 or another illness,
Taking the risk to enter the fray, to choose to live in the messiness of life,
says Director of Bon Secours Associates Amy Kulesa. working though grief is finding a way to to give one’s life, one’s heart, one’s energies and one’s dreams to a cause greater
connect with that story and choose life.”
than one’s self is to obey Jesus’ command and to commit to engage with God’s
One of the most painful parts of grief is feeling alone Annie has led several grief retreats at the Bon Secours Retreat dream to change the world. I invite you to enter into your own heart and @FranTheNun
@ SrsBonSecours
and isolated. Social distancing during the pandemic has and Conference Center and tries to help people feel and your own soul and get more deeply in touch with your own passion, your own
deepest desire for life, for yourself and for others, and ask God to show you the
intensified these feelings. Amy has led a number of grief acknowledge their pain and avoid getting stuck in it. She says, journey that He promises will bring you to fullness of life. Then, please reach
retreats and bereavement support groups. She says, “Experiencing loss makes us stop and ask questions, and out to me or to someone else who can help you explore that call, that energy facebook.com/
“People struggling with grief and loss often find comfort this curiosity often leads to healing.” Annie is a firm believer of living fully in the freedom of the children of God. My prayer is that each BonSecoursVocations
in participating in a bereavement group or meeting in the idea that when one door closes, another one usually of us will have the courage to be all we are meant to be. And don’t rule out
with a pastoral counselor. When they talk to others who opens. She wrote the book, “My House Burned Down and the possibility of living that call as a Catholic Sister, as a Sister of Bon Secours. youtube.com/
understand their pain, they discover they are not alone, Now I Can See the Stars,” to help people integrate their grief. I promise you won’t regret considering it. cbsvocations
and this can provide a tremendous amount of consolation.” She says, “We know in our faith, death leads to resurrection.
After night comes day. Life comes with joys and difficulties, IF you are a SINgle womaN aged 20-40, Catholic and curious
Annie Hisle, a psychotherapist and bereavement and grief and sometimes we have very little control. Joy and sadness about what it means to be a sister today, contact Sr. Fran Gorsuch
counselor, says “When someone is grieving, it helps to are fundamental to life and complement each other.” at CBSVocations@bshsi.org or 410-442-3171.

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