Make the most of it....

Today marks the beginning of Lent.

It's a chance for us to go in to the desert in some shape or form.

The advice that I give to anyone discerning a vocation is to make the most of the time between now and Easter to discern more actively your vocation in life. Pray a little bit more. Read sacred scripture more deeply. Attend Mass more often. Make an effort to find out God's will for your life.

As always, if you want to talk to someone about your vocation just drop me a line at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org

Happy Lent!

Pope's message for Vocations Sunday

The Pope's message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations has been published.

The theme is "Vocations - the Gift of the Love of God".

Vocations Sunday falls on Sunday, 29th April this year. The Pope's message is always published several weeks in advance so that we can study and reflect on it.

You can read it here.

I will post some comments and reactions in the coming days.

Happy St Valentine's Day

Today, 14th February, is of course St Valentine's Day.

But who was St Valentine? There are some conflicting accounts but we know he existed and his remains have been identified in the catacombs of Rome. This feastday has been celebrated for 15 centuries!

Three things you need to know:
1. He was a Catholic priest.
2. He was arrested for tending to the needs of the persecuted Christians of Rome.
3. He was executed for refusing to renounce the Catholic faith during the persecution of Roman Emperor Claudius.

For anyone who is discerning a vocation, then there is an obvious resonance here.

For a start St Valentine answered the call to serve by embracing a religious vocation. Secondly, he served those in need and risked his own life to do so. Finally, he refused to deny his faith and has since been remembered as an icon of love.

It's ironic that at a time when celibacy and chaste love are dismissed, the day on which the world celebrates love is in fact a day in honour of a priest who died for his faith!

A New Blogging Brother

Hello everyone,
As you know Brother Ray who was the original "Blogging Brother" has been working as chaplain at Presentation College Bray for the last few months. I’ve now moved into the role of vocations director for the Presentation Brothers in Ireland and England so that means that I will be the new “Blogging Brother”! I’ll try to post regularly, I promise! My hope is that the blog will give folk an idea of what the life and vocation of a religious brother involves. I'll also try to post some discernment advice and tips. Naturally, anyone who wants to get in touch with me can reach me at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org

Here’s some information about me to kick-off:
I was born in the parish of Allihies on the Beara peninsula in the county of Cork and in the diocese of Kerry. I went to primary school there before attending secondary school with the Presentation Brothers in Cork city.
I did my degree in Arts (history and Irish) in University College Cork and then went on to study spirituality in Dublin.
I always had an interest in working with young people and from an early age I felt a call to religious life. The Presentation Brothers whom I had met in school really inspired me and I felt that I had a vocation to religious brotherhood.
I’ve worked in several ministries since I made my final profession. Here are some of the highlights:
• The Give a Year to God programme in Cork city – a programme where men interested in discerning their vocation came to live for a year with the Brothers.
• Serving as a teacher and principal at Presentation College Bray and Presentation Brothers College, Cork.
• Working for twelve years in Ghana, including six years as the Province Leader for the West Africa Province.
In addition to working now as vocations director, I’m also a member of the Congregation Leadership Team (CLT). The team consists of five brothers, elected at our chapter in 2011, who have responsibility for steering our congregation for the next six years.
It’s not all work - I love to relax by hill walking and listening to classical music. And I’m an Arsenal fan too.
I really enjoy being a Presentation Brother. It is a rich and a rewarding life. Yes, it has its challenges too – but that’s true of every way of life.
I hope and pray that God will gift me with many more years of life as a Presentation Brother!

Just ask Eli...

Here's a nice little cartoon illustrating today's very-vocation-relevant gospel.

Notice that Samuel was being called but did not know who it was that was calling him. That's a very common experience for men and women wondering if they are being called to religious life.

When people ask to meet me for a chat I often notice that they are often feeling confused. Here are two sound pieces of advice if you recognise yourself in this description: (i) pray about what you are experiencing and (ii) talk to Eli!

I'm Eli for the Presentation Brothers - an older character with a bit of experience in this line! Feel free to shoot me an email at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org if you have any questions or want to meet for a coffee. That's what I'm here for!

"Here I am Lord, I come to do your will"

Blessings for 2012!

Wishing you and your loved ones every blessing for 2012!

For those discerning a vocation may the year to come be a time of decision and peace.

Feel free to contact me for an informal chat at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org

A bit of a change....

Hello everyone and, firstly, my apologies for not posting an update for some time.

In September I was asked to take on a new assignment - chaplain at Presentation College Bray. Needless to say, that is taking up most of my time now.

In the Presentation Brothers, we have always prioritised vocations ministry. We passionately believe that the Lord is calling men to be religious brothers today. We also feel that our congregation and its charism provides a valid and exciting way of living that call today. In order to do vocations ministry justice, I'm handing over the reigns to Br Anthony O'Sullivan. Br Anthony is based in Cork and will be free to travel around Ireland and England meeting men interested in furthering their discernment.

You can still follow my work by keeping an eye on our congregation website, www.PresentationBrothers.org, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and checking out our YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/PresentationBrothers

Working as a vocations director in Ireland over the past three years has been interesting, to put it mildly. But I can honestly say that it's been among the most rewarding and blessed periods of my life.

Thanks to you all for reading the blog, for your comments and your prayers.

If you want to give me a farewell gift then please encourage a friend to consider the vocation of a Presentation Brother.

God reward you all!