Young men and women from the Districts of San Francisco and New Orleans – Santa Fe recently took part in Called and Chosen vocation retreats at St. Joseph’s Camp on the Russian River in California. Forty-three young women from nine Lasallian schools gathered January 18 – 20, and 50 young men from nine Lasallian schools gathered February 15 – 17. The intent of the retreats was to raise the participants’ awareness of their vocation or calling from God.
A participant reflected on the weekend saying, “One thing that I will take away from the retreat is that God has written and granted a great future for me in my vocation and that He will be with me every step of the way.”
The retreat process allowed participants to experience, discuss, and reflect upon topics including: how God calls and invites each of us through our experiences toward a purposeful and fulfilling life, the various ways we can respond to God’s call in our lives, the gifts and talents each of us has been given, the exploration of different types of vocations (ordination, religious life, married life, single life), and the basic elements to the Lasallian vocation of living in faith, service, and community.
“I liked hearing about all the different vocations. Happiness comes from all of them as long as you are doing what your heart tells you,” said a participant.
Both retreats were organized and moderated by Heather Ruple, Director of Lasallian Student Programs in the District of San Francisco. She highlighted feedback from participants including some “tweets” from the weekends, which students wrote on paper and posted on walls to share with each other:
- Whichever talent you want me to utilize best Lord, guide me to that vocation so I may help others and make the world a better place #dowhatgodtellsyoutodo
- Lord help me to answer your call an go where I am needed #Lasallianlife
- Heavenly Father, give me the courage to show up and say “yes” to wherever you are calling me #sayyes #justshowup
Read the story from District of San Francisco >
Schools that sent students to the young women’s retreat were: Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, CA, De La Salle North Catholic High School in Portland, OR, Justin-Siena High School in Napa, CA, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory in Milwaukie, OR, La Salle High School in Pasadena, CA, La Salle High School in Yakima, WA, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, CA, Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, CA, and San Miguel High School in Tucson, AZ.
Schools that sent students to the young men’s retreat were: Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, CA, Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, CA, De La Salle North Catholic High School in Portland, OR, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory in Milwaukie, OR, La Salle High School in Yakima, WA, Mullen High School in Denver, CO, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, CA, Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, CA, and San Miguel High School in Tucson, AZ.
