Recently in religious vocations Category

I had not heard of this guy before but he has a beautiful story of conversion. Check out the videos below or read the article/video text here.

Paddy's Conversion Story

Paddy Singing "Abba Father" in Medjugorje

Here are snippets of two interesting articles I was actually able to read this morning.

The first:

The Most Heroic Thing I Have Ever Witnessed

On January 11, my family went to noon Mass at Blessed Sacrament parish in Seattle. It was being celebrated by our visiting priest, but after he processed up to the altar, we were astonished to see that Father Tom Kraft had taken a seat beside him. (Read the whole article.)

The second:

A Tear-Stained Face in the Other Crowd

Angele came to Washington last week, but she was not one of the multitude who converged on the nation's capital to joyously proclaim their support of the new president on his Inauguration Day. Angele came with the other crowd...

...By any logical measure, Angele - a strikingly attractive woman in her thirties with long hair and a model's cheekbones - should have been on the sidelines, protesting against the marchers. After all, the divorced mother of two had been raped and subsequently exercised her choice to have a mid-trimester abortion. But things didn't quite go according to plan.... (Read the whole article.)

I watched the documentary The Nun on EWTN this weekend and it was so interesting and beautiful. I also enjoyed learning about Marta's family, as well as her vocation. Check it out if you can.

THE NUN
Get an inside look at a religious vocation taking shape in the rich environment of European Catholic family life in this unique documentary look at a Swedish Catholic family and their daughter Marta who has decided to become a Carmelite Nun. (1 hr)
Sat 8/23/08 8:00 PM ET & 5 PM Pt
Sun 8/24/08 2:00 AM ET & Sat 11 PM PT
Thu 8/28/08 1:00 PM ET & 10 AM PT

My brother Rob and his girl friend (the amazing artist) Maria Rangel have a dear friend named Liza Boquiren who has been accepted into community of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Alhambra. (An awesome order of nuns in So Cal.) However, Liza has school loans she needs to pay off. Liza's friends brainstormed and came up with a way they could help her with her vocation - they are holding a raffle for this piece entitled "The Love That Saves." Here are the details:

E-Raffle Information:
- E-Raffles are $5.00 a piece, no limit per person.
- For every 5 raffles you buy, get a 6th one FREE!
- E-Raffle drawing will occur on October 28th, 2008.
- All E-raffle purchasers will be notified of the winner via email (phone if no email).

Prize Information:- Image of John Paul II.
- Size 2 ft. x 2 ft. giclée print on canvas of an oil painting, value $900.00.
- Artist, Maria Rangel, www.rangelstudios.com

For more information or to purchase your raffle "ticket," go to http://lizaboq.blogspot.com/2008/07/online-raffle-love-that-saves.html. (Purchase a raffle and spread the word to others! Thanks! -Bobbi)

About Liza (by Rebecca Flynn)

Liza is a spirited, joyful, intelligent, beautiful woman of God. She has a great love for Christ, and seeks the will of God in everything. She has a great compassion and love for others as well. Liza strives to live her life for God, in all ways.

Liza has taught Confirmation Classes, for girls, at her parish, St Peter Chanel. She has helped spread Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body." A couple of years ago, with the backing of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, Liza got the approval of three California Dioceses to start a group called ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) in Southern California, where she lives. ENDOW is an organization that brings women together to study the documents of the Church, especially the writings of JPII on women (The Letter to Women, etc.) for fellowship, intellectual growth and renewed knowledge on what it means to be truly feminine.

August 16th, Liza will be entering the community of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Although, prior to entering, Liza needs support in reducing her debt from school loans. The Carmelites, like most religious communities, cannot afford to assume debt, so please consider buying a raffle ticket. Liza is very humble. She has never asked for any financial assistance. The idea for this raffle came about through the brainstorming of Liza's friends. This effort, on Liza's behalf, was brought to fruition by the gifting and generosity of Maria Rangel, the artist who so beautifully painted "The Love that Saves."

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and prayerfully considering how you can best support Liza's vocation.

God's blessings, Rebecca Flynn