Vocations News and Events: Enquirers' Night
Enquirers' Night: Penshaw House of Hospitality, 29March07 Fr John James writes:
“On Thursday evening, 29th March, we hosted another Enquirer Night for those discerning their vocation [not only for priesthood, religious life or males!] at the House of Hospitality in Penshaw. Sr. Barbara Carroll (Director for Religious) attended and introduced herself and her work to us all.
A number of people who have previously participated were unable to do so on this occasion due to other commitments such as birthday parties, being away from the area on holiday from university, work, youth ministry engagements. However, eight were able to join us, including one young man in sixth form for his first time.
Enquirers share ideas, thoughts and discussion As ever, we began in sharing the Evening Prayer of the Church together, remembering previous participants who were unable to be present on this occasion.
One of us then prompted our mutual reflection and discussion on vocation by generously sharing with us where he had discerned God to be acting in his life: from childhood influences and experiences, through a time of “not wanting to know” and pursuing paths and avenues of ‘natural’ and secular ambitions. This involved a waxing and waning of involvement in Church, initial attraction to formation to religious life, then through marriage, divorce, annulment and a conversion experience of unexpected grace in devotion to Mary the Mother of God and the Holy Spirit. This included many “highs and lows”, ”joys and sorrows”, and a varied, differentiated, unexpected experience of God in ordinary daily life. Through events and people he realised that God was acting and revealing Himself - especially in creation and the whole world of everyday outside the “God of the Tabernacle” and the Church building and services.
This has all lead him to the point today where all he wants is to respond to the love God has for him, by doing all the little things in life as best as he can, and so live not for himself but for the good and happiness of others. Thus, hopefully, providing an opportunity in their life and situation (good or bad) for others to experience the love and goodness of God.
This input provoked a lively, experiential, disarmingly candid contribution from others present, that was firmly grounded in the realism of “tell it how it is”, and marked by a heart-warming trust of each other born of a confidence of people being able to share their faith in God, even though not everyone had known each other before meeting that night.
Enquirers talking with Fr Michael McCoy One of the benefits of these Enquirer Nights is that it gives like-minded individuals of faith, who in other ways are very different individuals coming from totally different backgrounds, life experiences and ages, an opportunity to talk with others in a way that they may not often find elsewhere. In so doing they realise they are not “the only pebble on the beach”, and that there are others who feel and think the same as they do. They discover that so much of what gives them energy in life is, in fact, the common experience of so many “out there in everyday life” who are searching and have a real spiritual hunger – as in neighbours, workmates, fellow sixth formers, even family members who “take the mick” about religious practice, but still ask questions because they are interested.
Thereafter, as always, we shared a splendid meal together, courtesy of Laverne and family – for which we just have to say “Thank You”.
Anyone interested in coming along to one of these nights in future, just to “suck it and see” without any strings attached, please contact Fr. Michael McCoy.
Next Meeting is on April 26th 7-9pm.