Women Gather for Vocation Retreat "Forward in Joy!"

How do you understand the word "vocation" and how would you describe the role of Dominican Women Religious in Church and society today? These were just two of the questions posed and addressed  by Sr. Anne Keenan, OP, in her presentation "Forward in Joy" for those in attendance at the recent "Come and See Retreat" held over the Labor Day weekend at our Akron Motherhouse. There the Motherhouse Community not only ushered us through the front door on Friday evening, but also into their hearts. Others of our Sisters who live in the area took time to share a wonderful cook-out with us on Saturday, and on Sunday we enjoyed a trip to Kent State University where we met with Sr. Joanne Caniglia, OP, who shared highlights of her ministry there as a university professor along with her vocation story. A question was asked, "How do you know if this is your vocation?" Part of Sr. Joanne's response was, "You will know.... It's like a hand fitting in a glove." Later, a further reflection on this among the retreatants became, "If it fits, it ships!"

While at KSU, we also paid our respects at the campus site where four young people were killed May 4, 1970, during an anti-Vietnam War rally.

Throughout the retreat weekend, participants readily shared how valuable this experience was for their on-going discernment. I invite you to enjoy some pictures taken during the retreat and to hear/read some comments from some of the participants.

What I found most helpful...

• Hearing the stories of the Sisters, both their vocation stories and what they have done as Sisters
• Sr. Anne's presentation
• The Taize prayer was wonderful and peaceful
• The opportunity to talk with a Candidate
• The prayers and the interaction together
• The Emmaus walk
• Bea's power point presentation
• I found so much joy here
• I loved meeting with my prayer partner and other "future" Sisters