This photo was taken in China where I asked a nun who entered the convent many years ago prior to the Communist takeover to give me a blessing. As Maryknoll’s new Vocation Director, it has been a challenging experience to lead the vocations office under the uncertain situation this pandemic has brought us. As I look back, the assurance of God‘s blessing is a hopeful sign that we will get through this, together. During the Christmas holidays I took time off to visit my parents who were curious about how is the work of our vocations team going. We do our small part and we let the Holy Spirit do the rest, I said to them.
Let the Holy Spirit give you that sign you are waiting for to make the leap of faith! Allow us in the vocations team to walk with you in your discernment process. The life of a missionary is such a blessing that begins at home, the first Bethlehem. My hope for this 2021 is that we may share the assurance of God‘s blessing with each other, transmit the trust that has been curtailed and fulfill the message of the prophet Joel encouraging, “old people to continue dreaming” while at the same time, “helping young people to become visionaries” of a promising future.