Discernment is sometimes referred to as a long and never ending journey toward the will of God. Jesus continually calls us to become ever more committed to His cross and to journey ever farther into the Divine Mystery of the life giving love of the Holy Trinity. It is a challenging prospect to even think about at times and, since the destination itself is a mystery, it is often fraught with frustration, anxiety, and confusion. There are often times when we feel like if we just give up, we can be happy where we are, … Continue reading →

The first religious community we will get to know in this series is the Benedictine Sisters of Papal Jurisdiction at St. Walburg Monastery in Villa Hills, KY. Today is the feast day of St. Scholastica, one of the many Benedictine feast days on the Church calendar. Today’s post has been submitted by Sr. Cathy Bauer, OSB. February is the month when we celebrate two great Benedictine feasts. Feb. 10 is the feast of St. Scholastica and Feb. 25 is the feast of our patron St. Walburg. Both of them were women who, by listening to … Continue reading →

Today’s Vocation Story comes from Sean Wilson, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati who is currently first year of Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Cincinnati, OH. Sean is a son of Emmanuel parish in Dayton, OH. I grew up in Vandalia Ohio which is about 15 minutes north of Dayton.  I went to public school until college.  I have two brothers one is 18 months older and the other is 2 years younger; so, I am a middle child. Since we didn’t go to Catholic school my brothers and … Continue reading →

Today’s vocation story comes from Matthew Leiser, SJ, a member of the Society of Jesus in his third year of formation with the order. Matthew was introduced to the order through the Jesuits at St. Francis Xavier parish in Cincinnati, OH. Since a fifth grader I first felt a gentle invitation by the Spirit to consider religious life.  I remember begrudgingly attending a family retreat that my dad dragged myself and my three siblings to.  It was there while playing freeze tag with the other kids that I felt a tug on my heart.  I simply … Continue reading →

Today’s vocation story comes from Sr. Cecilia Taphorn, CPPS, a sister of the Precious Blood. She currently serves on the leadership team of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton, OH and is a daughter of Nativity parish in Cincinnati, OH. I grew up in Pleasant Ridge and went to Nativity grade school staffed then by the Sisters of Mercy. I think the my religious vocation began when I had a Sister that taught me in the sixth grade and who also taught me piano lessons. She was a very happy and kind person … Continue reading →

Today’s vocation story comes from Jeff Stegbauer, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in his second year of college seminary studies at Bishop Simon Brute College Seminary on the campus of Marian University in Indianapolis. Jeff is a son of St. Susanna parish in Mason, OH. About six and a half years ago, while I was in the seventh grade, God began nudging me toward the seminary. It all started after I served for my older brother’s Confirmation. I went up for a picture with Bishop Moeddel afterward and asked, “I held your mitre … Continue reading →

Today’s vocation story comes from Sr. Carolyn Marie Betsch, CDP. Sister Betsch is a sister of the Congregation of Divine Providence in Melbourne, KY. She is a daughter of Assumption in Mt. Healthy and is currently serving as Principal of Our Lady Star of the Sea Elementary School in Solomons, MD. My vocation story started in the grade school where I was taught by the CDPs. Just about every other year, my teacher was one of these mysterious, joyful women whom I admired from a distance. When I got into the 5th or 6th grade, … Continue reading →