April 2, 2025

By Mary Beth Bracy, consecrated virgin
Contributing Writer

It was a day dedicated to discernment.

On March 22, several young women attended a diocesan wide Women’s Discernment Luncheon at St. Mary’s Church in Canton. Sister Mary Eamon Lyng, a Sister of St. Joseph and diocesan Vocations coordinator, offered opening remarks in the Divine Mercy chapel.

Bishop Terry R. LaValley then led a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration for vocations — during which some young men were also present — and offered a reflection. Following, the young women gathered in the rectory for a luncheon, after which Sister Bethany Fitzgerald, a Sister of St. Joseph, spoke about “Discernment and Vocation.”

Bishop LaValley began by reciting part of Psalm 139: “You formed my inmost being … I praise you because I am wonderfully made . . . my days were shaped, before one came to be.”

“Vocations are my days in the Lord’s book,” he explained. “Vocations are a love story. It’s all about relationship, all about falling in love with a Divine person, the Son of God, all about a friend, a Savior… Jesus Christ who beckons everyone in the Gospel, ‘Come to Me.’

“Responding to God’s call for each of us to be holy, as we discern God’s call for each of us, we become mission driven.”

Pope Francis talked about listening, discerning, and acting, Bishop LaValley continued.

“Listening with absolutely all of our senses, paying attention to the world about us,” he said. “We cannot keep our heads down to life. We must be countercultural and focus on more than the phone. See the face of Jesus in the person next to you. Pay attention.

“(We are) too busy. Every day we have the opportunity to see the Face of Jesus in another…. Take the time, listen as you meet, as you greet, as you speak to other folks, a mission is blossoming, growing. Do I live my life in response to gift, not out of a sense of entitlement but gratefulness?”

Bishop LaValley told those gathered that when a priest originally asked him if he thought about becoming a priest, he laughed. Later, as he traveled in the Navy and taught catechism, he became more open to the idea. Another priest advised him, “Make the decision, stay focused and don’t look back.”

“We listen and move,” Bishop LaValley shared, adding that we need to be attentive to what our superior, relative, pastor or sister say to us. “Listen and don’t shrug them off. Be patient and listen. If we are always clicking with the remote, we can never listen with any depth. Discern God’s plan for you and me. He’s with you, He made you, He knows you, and He loves you in spite of it.”

Bishop LaValley encouraged those in attendance to actively follow God’s call.

“When we act, we enter the dance of life. Don’t wait to be the perfect dancer,” Bishop LaValley advised, quoting the song, “Just dance, dance.” He noted the example of Miriam in the Bible, she sang and danced. Though she found heartache, the dance was an outward expression of her joy in the Lord.”

“Commitment is very difficult in the world,” the bishop continued. “We rob ourselves of the joy to be had while life passes by. Keep your eyes on the Lord. We have companions to challenge, support and love us. Be still and know our God. Take a step. Rely on God’s grace. God’s mission for you will be realized.”

During lunch, the young women enjoyed spending time together and getting to know each other, over delicious homemade soup and scones prepared by Sarah McIntosh. They also shared parts of their stories, where they’ve been and are dreaming of going.

Sister Bethany later reflected, “God calls us by name, He forms us and has a plan. The challenge is: What do you want of me Lord?”

“Where are you at in your journeys? God is calling us to a personal relationship,” Sister Bethany said. “What is your relationship? Do you ever ask Him? Is there anyone else that can journey with me? Sharing our struggles, that’s important. It would be so nice if God would text and tell me!”

Sister Bethany encouraged the women to seek God in silence.

“We need some quiet time,” Sister Bethany added. “Go home and see if you can spend 15 minutes in silence. It could be in church or going for a walk.”

Sister Bethany shared that she is a horseback rider.

“It gives a sense of freedom to be, to be aware,” she said. “Are you attentive to what’s around you? Or are you just thinking of the next place? Take some walks just to be attuned. How are we present? Are we attuned?”

“Coming together, being able to listen on the journey (are) the tools that the saints used to discern.” Sister Bethany recounted that St. Ignatius of Loyola was wounded; in his recuperation, he read lives of the saints and thought maybe I am called to be a soldier for Christ, he had a radical conversion.

St. Ignatius knew about the example that soldiers are called to and developed spiritual exercises.

“The discernment is at the heart,” Sister Bethany said. “What is it that gives you a sense of peace or anxiety? It will come gradually.”

Sister Eamon added, “When St. Ignatius read the lives of the saints he was at peace. Other reading disturbed him.”

Sister Bethany also encouraged the women to reflect on their lives.

“A life unreflected is not worth living,” Sister Bethany related. “Journalling helps us to reflect on it.”

Several young women shared that journalling helps them to make sense of what is happening in their lives, and they are later able to go back and look to see how God has answered their prayers, so they are consciously grateful to Him. It also helps them deal with anxiety and be intentional about what God is calling them to.

Sister Bethany also recommended the Examen prayer – an Ignatian method of prayer that encourages reflection, gratitude, self-awareness and discernment – to help us consider how God calls us each moment. She invited attendants to spend some time each day considering the questions: “What is it I am grateful for today? A grateful heart is a happy heart. Where have I found God? Where have You challenged me? Be grateful for the grace God has given you. How might you do things differently? How are you called to new life?”

Above all, Sister Bethany shared to always remain within the loving presence and grace of God and to make prayer the bookends of your day – start and end. She recommended reading daily Scriptures from the Mass. Sister Bethany gave each of the young women a holy card of Jesus knocking at the door. In the painting, there is an interesting feature missing: there is no door handle on the outside, so it can only be opened from within. “God is waiting for our response.”

The young women expressed gratitude for the formation of the discernment group and their desire to see it continue. The next meeting will be in May or June.