September 2, 2009

Religious Sisters of Mercy to offer vocation discernment retreat for women

By Sister Karol Marie Haney, R.S.M.

The parents of Sister Miriam MacLean, a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Mich., had an “inkling” early on that their only child had a calling to religious life. 

“When she was 9 years old, we were planning a trip to Disneyworld,” recalled Sister Miriam’s mother, Kathleen. “She told us she would rather go to France to see where St. Therese of Lisieux lived and died.  We took her there and also included Lourdes in our pilgrimage.  It was a wonderful trip.” 

Her daughter’s vocation has continued to lead Kathleen, and her husband, Joe, on adventures—adventures kindled by the blessings they have received through their daughter’s call. 

“When announcing to family and friends about her vocation, I used to say, ‘It’s a blessing and a curse’—being that she was our only child and all,” said Kathleen. “She overheard me once and said, ‘Mom, don’t say that.  It’s only a blessing!’

“I took her advice, thinking to myself, that when my life was over, I would receive those blessings from the Lord.  Little did I know that her vocation was just the beginning of blessings on top of blessings for my husband and me.” 
Those blessings, Kathleen added, included gaining six daughters—the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma in Denver. But there have been others.

“When our daughter detached from all her earthly possessions, it inspired us to do the same.  We would never have had the courage to quit our jobs and travel around the country for several months if we were concerned with material things,” Kathleen said. “It was that adventuresome spirit and total trust in the Lord that brought us out here to Colorado.”

The MacLeans chose Colorado as their new home because of the beauty.  They had yet to find jobs or realize that a local community of her daughter’s religious order lived in Denver.  Kathleen, a professionally trained musician, is now celebrating a year of working as the organist for the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and has just begun as a vocal instructor for the seminarians at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.  Joe is operations manager for FedEx National in Henderson and works some weekends driving for Aim National Lease in Loveland.

“I imagined having a daughter that followed what she thought God was calling her do, no matter what that calling may be,” Joe said. “I tried not to stress the tangible things of the world but rather encouraged her to set her sights on praying for God’s grace and catching glimpses of what heaven is like during her pilgrimage here on earth.  I can think of nothing that gives us more joy than seeing our daughter live in peace and work toward increasing her own love in Jesus Christ.”

Sister Miriam is joining Sister Gilmary Kay, vocation director for the Religious Sisters of Mercy in directing a vocational discernment retreat Sept. 25-27 at the Cabrini Shrine, 20189 Cabrini Blvd. in Golden.  The retreat, “Be Holy as I am Holy” (Lev 11:44), will be a time of exploring more deeply the vocations for women, with an emphasis on the religious vocation. 

The retreatants will experience the prayer life of the religious sisters, including holy Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Liturgy of the Hours.  The sacrament of confession and time to meet individually with a sister will be available as well as opportunities to learn about the charism of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, the vows made in religious life, and the unique fourth vow the Religious Sisters of Mercy make of service to the poor, sick and ignorant (often lived through their apostolates in health care and education).  A married couple, Mercy and Sergio Gutierrez, will also share their inspiring witness of the married vocation. 

Two of the young women who attended the retreat hosted by the sisters last year will further explore a religious vocation this month.  Courtney Elder, 24, a recent convert to the Catholic faith and a graduate of Colorado Christian University, entered the sisters’ pre-postulancy class at their convent in Breuberg, Germany, on Sept. 1. Katie Polakovic, 22, a native of Colorado and graduate of Providence College in Rhode Island, will enter the postulancy class beginning at the sisters’ Motherhouse in Alma, Mich., on Sept. 8. 

Kathleen MacLean remembers clearly what her daughter experienced as she became confident in the desire to enter religious life.

“I asked her ‘How do you really know?  Did something come over you?’” Kathleen recalled. “She answered so simply: ‘Yes—peace.’” 

Women ages 18-35 interested in attending the retreat may contact Sister Karol Marie Haney, R.S.M., at 303-715-3275 (day), 303-765-4592 (evening) or send e-mail to: sister.haney@archden.org.  Space is limited. Registration deadline: Sept. 16.