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!

  Happy Feast of St. Francis of Assisi!
  On October 4, Franciscans throughout the world celebrated their heritage and   the life of a man who truly wanted to give his life to follow Jesus…as we all do!


Discernment
"I've done what is mine to do, may Christ teach you what is yours to do!" St. Francis of Assisi

This is what Discernment is about...
trying to listen to what God is saying to me...
what is mine to do...
how am I to serve...
how am I to love...
am I willing to risk...
saying YES!

Women in Discernment: Saying "Yes!"
We have women in various stages of our Discernment Process in the United States, Jamaica and Brazil. We discern with each woman as to her readiness to continue in the process. Recently three of our sisters said "yes" by professing their First Vows, their commitment to live poverty, celibacy and obedience as an Allegany Franciscan and to serve God's people. They will be highlighted, as well as one of our novices in next issue of "Followers of Francis,"

Discernment Retreats
We offer weekend and day Discernment Retreats in different areas of the east coast of the US and Jamaica. Women who are considering religious life find the retreats very helpful: taking some time and space away to listen to what God may be saying to you, being with other women who are also searching out the possibility of religious life, having time for prayer, input, reflection, sharing, and also have an opportunity to meet some of our sisters to get a flavor of our community. Upcoming retreats: Buffalo - October 20 - 21 Tampa - November 2 - 4 Check out our schedule of future retreats. You can also send for a brochure.

St. Francis' Prayer for Guidance
Most High and Glorious God,
Enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give my right faith,
a certain hope,
a perfect love,
insight and wisdom.
so that I may do your holy and true will. Amen

Electronic Newsletter
Don't forget to sign up for periodic updates. We just sent out our October issue yesterday. If you didn't receive it, please let me know.
Peace and All Good,