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A Sacred Voice is Calling: Personal Vocation and Social Conscience

by John Neafsey; Orbis Books
Book Review by Donna Graham, OSF

How do we know when we are doing what we are meant to do in life? How can we be assured that at the end of our life we will feel that we have lived it well?  John Neafsey draws on his experience as both a clinical psychologist and college theology teacher to provide guidance for all those seeking their vocation, their calling in life. He leads the reader on the path of discerning their authentic calling in the midst of the competing, counterfeit voices in our culture. Weaving together spirituality and psychology and referencing a number of different religious and native traditions, he challenges the reader to listen, to discern and then to live the truth discovered. He reminds us that the call isn’t only for ourselves, but a response to the cry of the poor and suffering. In his words, “Vocation is not only about ‘me’ and my personal fulfillment, but about ‘us’ and the common good. In [Frederick] Buechner’s words, our callings are found in the places where our ‘deep gladness’ and the ‘world’s deep hunger’ meet, on the holy ground where our heart’s desire comes together with what the world needs from us.”
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Bright Ideas
Discarded electronics now account for 1 to 2 percent of the municipal solid waste stream and about 40 percent of the hazardous heavy metals (including lead, chromium, cadmium, and mercury) in U.S. landfills. You can rein in this e-waste by: repairing or upgrading current technology rather than buying new; buying one device that takes the place of two or more (like a printer with copier and scanner); donating working electronics to a school, church, or non-profit; recycling electronics in municipal or commercial recycling programs; returning electronics to the manufacturer or store “take-back” program.  For recycling locations in your community go to http://earth911.com/ .
Resources / Links
 
 
 
 
Franciscan Mysticism: I AM That Which I Am Seeking: Join Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, in this conference to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Center for Action and Contemplation. Come to explore and experience the spiritual genius of Francis of Assisi, who spawned a completely new school of spirituality and a significant strain of mysticism that has highly influenced the world to this day. Oct. 28-29, 2012, Santa Fe Community Convention Center, Sante Fe, New Mexico. Preconference events will be Oct. 26-27. Cost is $225 before July 30. For information and registration got go to http://secure.lenos.com/lenos/cac/FranciscanMysticism2012/ .
Religion and Environmental Stewardship:   This environmental symposium – aimed at clergy, lay leaders, and seminary faculty – will engage experts from Yale and across the country on topics such as the greening of seminaries and churches, curricular initiatives in eco-theology, climate change, environmental justice, and liturgical approaches to environmental stewardship. June 5-7, 2012. Yale Divinity School, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven CT. Tuition is $100. Registration deadline is May 1. For information and registration contact Joanne Van Vlack at 203-432-6550 or joanne.vanvlack@yale.edu or go to http://summerstudy.yale.edu/environmental-symposium .
Haiti : One Table Many Partners: This Haiti Solidarity Conference isa national conference sponsored by the U.S. Bishops and Catholic Relief Services. The conference is animated by the hope of the Haitian bishops for global solidarity with Haiti and aims to support and strengthen the response of the many Catholic groups from the U.S. who are working in Haiti. June 1-3, 2012, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. For information go to http://onetable.crs.org/ , e-mail haitipartnership@crs.org or call 410-951-7245.
Guide to Faithful Citizenship: A Matter of Conscience: Based upon the U.S. Bishops’ statement Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility, this book, CD and DVD assist Catholics in using the values of their Catholic faith to shape their participation in political life.  The DVD contains a series of video spots in which Greg Friedman, OFM, helps voters connect the links between Jesus’ teachings and today’s issues. The CD has corresponding handouts, a leader’s guide for small groups and bulletin briefs for parish use. The booklet addresses some specific contemporary issues from the perspective of Catholic teaching and includes questions for personal refection or group discussion. Both are available from Franciscan Media, 28 West Liberty Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202; Phone: 513-241-5615; http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/default.aspx .
Catholic
The Holy See
National Catholic Conference of Bishops (NCCB) and the United States Catholic Conference (USCC)
Franciscan Media
Zenit: Catholic News from Rome
Order of Friars Minor (OFM) International Web Site
Consistent Life (formerly Seamless Garment Network)
Environmental
Earth Ministry
Secular Franciscan Order’s Ecology Commission
USCCB Environmental Justice Program
Union of Concerned Scientists
Web of Creation
St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor
Franciscan
Franciscan Action Network (FAN)
The Franciscan Center for Social Concern at St. Bonaventure University
Franciscans International at the United Nations (Geneva and New York)
Justice
Bread for the World
Center of Concern in Washington, D.C.
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Friends Committee on National Legislation
National Right to Life Committee
Network: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Peace
Catholic Peace Fellowship
Global Peace Services USA
The Institute for Peace and Justice
Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service
Pax Christi USA
1,000 Years of Peace, sponsored by St. Anthony Messenger Press
Teaching Tolerance
Los Alamos Study Group