Our Vocation Ministry - December 2007

  Dear Friends,
  Welcome to our Vocation Ministry webpages! If this is your first time visiting   us, please click here. We invite you to sign up for our new vocation
  e-newsletter, Followers of Francis, by contacting Sr. Mary McNally at   fsavoc@aol.com. It is a great resource for information, reflection questions and   more!

  Merry Christmas!

  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
  my spirit rejoices in God my savior,
  for he has looked upon his holy servant.

Advent has been a time of   listening…to God…to Mary, Joseph, John, Zechariah, Elizabeth, the shepherds, kings...to many who have shared their call from God, in unique ways, to do something, to be more! The messengers sent by God, especially Gabriel, presented challenge, strength and comfort. They were afraid, didn't fully understand, pondered, wondered how God would want them to affect the lives of others, wondered how they could do it...yet each trusted and said YES!

The Advent scriptures have a great deal to share with those who are also trying to listen to what God is saying today, who are discerning how to serve, and who are considering the possibility of religious life.

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."

Now, as we celebrate Christmas, we are very aware that "God is with us," in our discerning, and in our questing for God. We encourage you to continue to listen, to trust, and be open to respond!

May you have a blessed Christmas and a peace-filled New Year!
                                                                                                    The Allegany Franciscans

P.S. We update our webpage frequently, so please visit us again! We welcome your ideas, suggestions, and questions.

To read previous monthly updates, click here.