Having a faith conversation with old and new friends is as easy as setting the table.
FAITH FEEDS GUIDE VOCATION
Introduction to FAITH FEEDS 3
Conversation Starters 6
• The Art of Discerning One’s Vocation in Life as a Person of Faith by Hosffman Ospino 7
Conversation Starters 9
• Answering the Call to Shine by Marc Martinez 10
Conversation Starters 12
• Why Have I Chosen Catholic Education as a Vocation? by Kathy Sells 13
Conversation Starters 14
• Gathering Prayer 15
Faith Feeds is an initiative by Boston College’s Church in the 21st Century Center (C21), which was founded in 2002 to serve as a catalyst and a resource for renewal of the Catholic Church in the United States. Faith Feeds was originally designed for individuals in Catholic parishes who are hungry for opportunities to talk about their faith with others who share it. Considering many Catholic schools are an extension of a parish, a customized set of guides has been developed for Catholic educators. C21 worked in partnership on this project with the Roche Center for Catholic Education, a center that forms Catholic educators to become agents of change who work to create excellent PreK-12 Catholic schools.
Educators in Catholic schools who strive for excellence embody the following virtues: adaptablility, joy, attentiveness, vision, and humility. St. Ignatius stated, “All the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us, to be the means by which we can come to know him better, love him more surely, and serve him more faithfully. As a result, we ought to appreciate and use these gifts of God insofar as they help us toward our goal of loving service and union with God.” (The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola)
These Faith Feeds guides challenge Catholic educators to reflect on how they are living out their vocations in their everyday lives. Together, the C21 Center and the Roche Center hope to deepen the faith of educators and bring communities of people together through these Faith Feeds reflections and questions. All authors in these guides are committed Catholic educators who have a deep love for Catholic schools and strive daily in their vocations to love and serve God.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who should host a FAITH FEEDS?
Anyone who has a heart for facilitating conversations about faith, education, and leadership is perfect to host a FAITH FEEDS.
Where do I host a FAITH FEEDS?
You can host a FAITH FEEDS in-person or virtually through video conference software. FAITH FEEDS conversations are meant for small groups of 10-12 people.
What is the host’s commitment?
The host is responsible for coordinating meeting times, sending out materials and video conference links, and facilitating conversation during the FAITH FEEDS.
What is the guest’s commitment?
Guests are asked to read the articles that will be discussed and be open to faith-filled conversation.
Still have more questions?
No problem! Email church21@bc.edu, and we’ll help you get set up.
READY TO GET STARTED?
STEP ONE
Decide to host a FAITH FEEDS. Coordinate a date, time, location, and guest list. An hour is enough time to allocate for the virtual or in-person gathering.
STEP TWO
Interested participants are asked to RSVP directly to you, the host. Once you have your list of attendees, confirm with everyone via email. That would be the appropriate time to ask in-person guests to commit to bringing a potluck dish or drink to the gathering. For virtual FAITH FEEDS, send out your video conference link.
STEP THREE
Review the selected articles from your FAITH FEEDS guide and the questions that will serve as a starter for your FAITH FEEDS discussion. Hosts should send their guests a link to the guide, which can be found on bc.edu/FAITHFEEDS.
STEP FOUR
Send out a confirmation email a week before the FAITH FEEDS gathering. Hosts should arrive early for in-person or virtual set-up. Begin with the Gathering Prayer found on the last page of this guide. Hosts can open the discussion by using the suggested questions. The conversation should grow organically from there. Enjoy this gathering of new friends, knowing the Lord is with YOU!
STEP FIVE
Make plans for another FAITH FEEDS. We would love to hear about your FAITH FEEDS experience. You can find contact information on the last page of this guide.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Here are three articles to guide your FAITH FEEDS conversation. We suggest that you select two that will work best for your group and, if time permits, add in a third. In addition to the original article, you will find a relevant quotation, summary, and suggested questions for discussion. We offer these as tools for your use, but feel free to go where the Holy Spirit leads.
This guide’s theme is: Vocation
THE ART OF DISCERNING ONE’S VOCATION IN LIFE AS A PERSON OF FAITH
By Hosffman Ospino, Ph.D.
There are many joys as well as many anxieties that accompany the experience of being human. The older we get, the more we become responsible for our lives. The blissful years of childhood, when playing with siblings and friends, when knowing that all is all right because others are in charge, are rather short. Sooner or later we must assume ownership of the direction of our lives. That’s what it means to grow up and eventually to become an adult person.
I remember my last years of high school. My parents, my brother, my relatives, my teachers, and many friends asked me repeatedly, “What are you going to do after you graduate?”, “What profession will you choose?”, “What are you going to do with your life?”. I finished high school when I was sixteen. The young adolescent me was thrust into those questions during the two years leading to graduation, and I must confess that they felt very heavy!
Those who asked those questions seem to expect clear and definite decisions: Choose a career; a school and an academic program, if the choice was to be a professional. Chose a place to live. Who prepares anyone to make that type of clear and definite
decisions at such a tender age? As I grow older, I observe that these same questions return to my life in various ways: What kind of job? What pathway within a career? What kind of family and with whom I want to spend the rest of my life? Should I accept a new job offer? Should I move to another city or country? Money or personal satisfaction? Not all jobs give you both. Although life experience equips us to make better decisions, the truth is that each time we are confronted with those big questions, they still feel heavy.
I was lucky to meet some people of faith who introduced me to the art of discernment. Faith has been an important aspect of my life. I am a practicing Catholic and since I remember I have been involved in church activities. It was in conversation with some priests, catechists and Catholic school teachers that I learned about how Catholics wrestle with what we call “vocational questions.” Catholics look at vocational life through prayerful discernment.
The starting point of vocational discernment from a perspective of faith is to acknowledge that life is a constant experience of God calling us into something. God calls us to life. God calls us to be in
relationship with Jesus Christ. God calls us to be faithful disciples and to be holy. God calls us to be the best possible expression of what we can be. In all these moments, God journeys with us. We are not alone. God gifts us with the Holy Spirit, who moves our hearts and minds to understand God’s will. Through prayer we “hear” the voice of God’s Spirit guiding us.
When the time comes to discern major decisions about life, such as family, career or lifestyle, we find ourselves already engaged in a larger discernment process. Whatever decision we reach about what we want to do with our lives happens within something greater. We are constantly discerning vocation within a (larger) vocation. Therefore, we find ourselves immersed in God’s plan for humanity. Our lives, and what happens in them, are not accidents. Our decisions, and any adjustments we make along the way, are part of the path to human fulfillment for which we exist.
Such a prayerful discernment about vocation is far from being an individualistic and whimsical process. It happens with others as we acknowledge that our existence unfolds in the communities to which we belong: family, friends, church, neighborhood, nation, and even culture. Vocational discernment
demands that we listen to others, ask questions, learn from others’ experiences, and embrace the wisdom of those who have lived longer. Vocational discernment from a perspective of faith invites us to give serious thought to the wisdom of those who exercise some type of authority in church and in society.
As people of faith who are constantly discerning where God calls us at any particular moment of our lives, we are invited to grow in the art of vocational discernment. Making decisions is important; making them after intentional and prayerful discernment is fulfilling. Discernment is a profoundly personal, communal, and religious experience. We need all three dimensions for it to be lifegiving.
I had the fortune to meet great Catholic educators and leaders who told me about the importance of prayerful discernment when I was young. They helped me to prepare to be a more responsible adult. As a Catholic educator myself, I continue to bask in their wisdom while sharing it with others, young and old, to live fulfilling lives.
Hosffman Ospino, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Education at Boston College, School of Theology and Ministry.
THE ART OF DISCERNING ONE’S VOCATION IN LIFE AS A PERSON OF FAITH
“Our business is to love what we have. He wills our vocation as it is. Let us love that and not trifle away our time hankering after other people’s vocations.”
- St. Francis de Sales
Summary
Hosffman Ospino offers a valuable explanation of the art of discernment as it relates to discovering vocation. It begins with our acknowledgement “that life is a constant experience of God calling us into something,” and then evolves through our practice of prayer where we are best able to listen for “the voice of God’s Spirit guiding us.” As Hosffman indicates, this continual process of vocational discernment is a “profoundly personal, communal, and religious experience.”
Questions for Conversation
1. What dimension does vocational discernment add to our decision making process?
2. What role has your community (family, friends, church, culture, etc.) played in your vocational discernment process? Are there additional sources of wisdom that you have not considered?
3. Discuss and pray about the following questions: What brings you joy? What are you good at? Who does the world need you to be?
ANSWERING THE CALL TO SHINE
By Marc Martinez, Ed.D.
I grew up in the suburbs of Houston, Texas in a family of five kids. My parents taught us that we must give our gifts and talents to the Church. As migrant workers from Tamaulipas, Mexico, my parents wanted to give us what they didn’t have – an education beyond high school. They saw education as a must, and they believed we could be successful with a college degree. I was the only one in the family to pursue this goal.
Not knowing what my future held, I knew I needed to see what was out there for me. As a first-generation student, six years and three schools later, I earned my first degree in business administration from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. But what could I do with that? At one time I had considered a major in education, so I took classes at St. Edward’s for one year, which qualified me to serve as a substitute teacher in my diocese. After landing my first job as a second-grade teacher, I fell in love with teaching and discovered my vocational calling. I was called to serve in a ministry that shapes minds, mentors the youth, and welcomes me to share my faith.
In my early career I served in two inner-city schools that were predominately Hispanic, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Southeast Hous-
ton and Our Lady of Guadalupe in East Houston. I was serving a Hispanic community when I discovered I was a double minority – a Hispanic and a male, in an environment predominantly occupied by women. I quickly embraced my role and accepted that I was placed there to serve as a role model to my students and the greater community. As my vocation evolved as a community leader, I felt the desire to do more in my role as a Hispanic educator as I began to feel a connection to the rich culture and traditions that I, too, celebrated in my home. It was at one of these schools when a beloved colleague, Sr. Elia “Tootsie” Torian, shared her most favorite bible verse (and now mine): “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds…” (Matthew 5:16). This supported my parents’ belief, and I soon began to understand my position: to search for ways to shine my light onto others that would impact the Hispanic community.
My vocation to Catholic education was about to take a new and exciting turn. I was encouraged by my principal to pursue a master’s degree in education, as there was a need for more principals. And so, I earned a Master of Education degree in private school administra-
tion from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. I found myself, once again, serving as a Hispanic and male principal. I quickly befriended several colleagues at principal meetings and fostered a community of like-minded individuals answering the call to serve not just our particular school communities, but the greater Catholic community.
At each school where I served as principal – rural, urban, elementary and high school – I found myself engaging an increasing population of Hispanic students and their families. I was welcomed by all families and soon discovered the impact I could have on the parish and civic community in my new role as a Hispanic educational leader. I found myself as a mentor to some of the Hispanic students who confided in me when language or cultural barriers stood in the way of them and others. At my last school, I was one of two Hispanic leaders with a population of 40% Hispanic students. At this diverse urban high school, I embraced the power of community and fostered positive relationships with students, families, faculty, and other administrators. These families were just like mine, with a desire for more education for their children.
My leadership roles in Catholic schools have been fulfilling, and each one leaves me yearning for a similar community that accepts and embraces my gifts and talents. I strive to increase the presence of Hispanics in Catholic schools by sponsoring clubs and organizations that promote Hispanic heritage. I interact with Hispanic families at open houses and new family orientations to ensure they feel welcomed in the school community. My goal is to be an example to Hispanic students encouraging them to share their many gifts as leaders, too.
Reflecting on my role as a Hispanic leader, I find myself serving the role of persona puente –bridge builder – living out this vocation as an educational leader and mentoring other Hispanic principals and teachers. As I discern my vocation, I have remained mindful of my Hispanic heritage, the gifts I received from my family, and what I have learned from other teachers and leaders. I have grown as a teacher and as a school leader responding to what I know is God’s call. I look forward to sharing the gifts and talents that make me who I am, and help my students and colleagues find theirs.
Marc Martinez, Ed.D., is the founding principal of St. Peter Catholic, A Career & Technical High School in Houston, Texas.
ANSWERING THE CALL TO SHINE
“Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes, through which, the compassion of Christ, looks out to the world. Yours are the feet, with which, He is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands, with which, He is to bless others now.”
- St. Teresa of Avila
Summary
Marc Martinez shares the inspiring story of his journey to Catholic school leadership. The first and only person from his family to attend college, Marc’s vocation as an educator evolved as he gained more education and experience. Encouraged by his family and subsequent mentors to use his gifts and talents to serve the Church, Marc discovered God’s call to ministry through education, where he can shape minds, mentor youths, and share his faith.
Questions for Conversation
1. Marc’s career has been guided by mentors - his parents, a beloved colleague and religious sister, and supervisors. What role have mentors played in your vocational discernment? What opportunities can you create to mentor others?
2. Do you consider yourself a persona puente in your school’s community? How do you guide and encourage students to value and share their heritage with others?
3. In what ways do you “shine your light” to your students?
WHY HAVE I CHOSEN CATHOLIC EDUCATION AS A VOCATION?
By Kathy Sells
I chose Catholic education as a vocation because I knew I would not have to be in it alone. I knew I would be working with parents — the primary educators — students, coworkers, administrators, and priests not in typical working relationships, but rather as a covenant relationship; a way of life that pervades every minute, of every hour, of every day. I would be working with people who see Catholicism as a lifestyle, not a moment in time.
I chose Catholic education as my vocation because I believe it to be my best response to God’s invitation to a deeper intimacy with Him. He must increase while I decrease. Middle school students can see through a phony a mile away. If my faith is not rooted in intimacy with God, I am simply a noisy gong, whether I am teaching religion or math. My students help me to deepen my intimacy with the first teacher, Jesus.
I chose Catholic education as my vocation because I believe it is a beautiful expression of the promises that were made in Baptism through my anointing as priest, prophet and king. As priests, teachers, students, and parents are called to proclaim the Word of God in our words, thoughts, and actions. As prophets, teachers, students, and parents are called to stand up in times of injustice to help right the wrongs. And as kings, teachers, students, and parents are called to servant leadership. We all have parts to play; there is no abdication of our roles.
I chose Catholic education as my vocation because I believe what it says in Ecclesiastes, “Where one alone may
be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). If one part of the team — parent, student, or school — is unable to do their part or chooses to not participate, we are less than successful. Being a math teacher, the numbers speak for themselves. If parents, students, and the school all participate that is 100 percent success rate. I am not saying it is perfect, but we all stand a better chance at success when we work together. If one party does not buy into the mission of Catholic education, we have a success rate of 66 2/3 percent. That is a significant hit. I chose Catholic education as my vocation because I believe the relationship between school, parent, and student is a beautiful expression of the doctrine of the Trinity: the Lover, the Loved, and the Love between them. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and Catholic schools walk with parents to encourage the students to be who God created them to be. These relationships formed with families are ones of humility, sacrifice, and love. So, I chose Catholic education as my vocation, because I know I cannot make it to heaven on my own. Catholic education involves all parties being called by the One to a common goal, eternal life.
Kathy Sells is an 8th grade teacher at Holy Fam- ily Catholic School in the Diocese of Boise. (This reflection is printed with the permission of the National Catholic Education Association, and was originally published February 4, 2021 on “NCEA Talk”, a Catholic school education blog.
WHY HAVE I CHOSEN CATHOLIC EDUCATION AS A VOCATION?
“To
be saints is not a privilege for the few, but a vocation for everyone.” ~ Pope Francis
Summary
Middle school teacher Kathy Sells offers a litany of reasons to support her choice to accept God’s call to education. She values the “covenant relationship” established with the community committed to this “way of life” and purposeful mission; and she views her work as a treasured opportunity to fulfill baptismal promises, deepen her faith through her work, and discover the Reign of God.
Questions for Conversation
1. Like Kathy, do you envision your role in education as a way to deepen your relationship with Christ? How can colleagues support each other towards this goal?
2. In what ways do you and your community “walk with parents” to support their role as the primary educators? What are the challenges you face?
3. Has your role become a “way of life that pervades every… day”? What tools and practices do you use to keep you focused on the mission of education?
GATHERING PRAYER
