Now that I am in the "active" mode of my discernment and my next step is to contact and visit communities again.
One problem thou. . . money.

Mom has alway been there for me to help pay for airfare for my visits, now she is retiring from work and I really feel awkward about asking to help me out.

I have littery nothing in the bank after a huge and expensive boo boo overdraft(OUCH!!)

I know to try to visit those communities near me but even the ones in PA or NJ for a car trip with the price of gas, it still hurts.

So can you send some prayers my way for God's help in choosing only those communities that "He" wishes me to see or that "He" wishes me to serve him.

Thanks and prayers,

Jessica
http://xanga.com/adiscerningsoul

Prayers heading your way. Put your hands in His and let Him lead you where He wants. Surprising things will happen.
Alicemary

I will pray that God show you very clearly what community to enter, without you having to check the communities out and spend a fortune in gas money. God bless you!

The metro North that runs into NYC is a beautiful thing. You can also take the MN and transfer to the New Jersey Transit system, which will get you anywhere in Jersey and to Philly (with another transfer at Newark, I believe. With visiting close monasteries, then you can get a feel for the charism, and from there, you can begin to look at individual monasteries around the country.Let's see, monasteries that I know of in the City itself:
The Visitation Sisters, Brooklyn website
The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara, Contemplatives St. Edith Stein Convent
Dominican Nuns, Corpus Christi ConventBronx OP
Summit Dominicans (Sr. Mary Catherine's community) OP Summit
Flemington, NJ Carmel website
Morristown, NJ Carmel website
Augustinian Recollect Nuns website

and don't forget CT:
Benedictine Abbey of Bethlehem, CT
Brigittines, CT website


Hope this helps some! I'll continue to try to remember the ones I've heard of and will let you know!

Peace and prayers!

In Jesus and Mary,
Lauren

Prayers.

I'll pray for the same thing for you too! :D

.... the transfer to get from NYC to Philadelphia the cheap way is through Trenton ... you take New Jersey Transit from NYC to Trenton, then take the SEPTA train (R7) from Trenton into either 30th St. station, Market East (8th and Market Sts) or 15th St. (Don't remember what they called that stop).

If you do end up trying to travel around the Phila area then PM me ... I'll give you some ideas on how to get around (I'm from the area). Besides I think once you get close the sisters will be more than willing to pick you up.

Finally one last option -- Greyhound. I know you can take Greyhound from CT to NYC, then NYC to wherever (either Greyhound/Peter Pan, and New Jersey Transit ... and a bunch of other smaller lines).

Are there any Catholic universities in the area that will be making a nun-run this summer? In that case, I don't think the expenses would be as high...

regarding contemplative communities near you...

--there are the Guilford CT Dominican Nuns (OL Grace) --y'all live in CT, right?
www.op-stjoseph.org/olgrace/olgrace/htm

--the Dominican nuns in Elmira NY (habit), a lovely community (I get their newsletter)

http://www.op.org/maryqueen/default.htm

--the OSB's of Jesus Christ Crucified

http://www.benedictinesjc.org, formed for women with medical difficulties, but not specifically for them, who need vocations (everyone now is in such good health!)

--the Poor Clares in Wappinger Falls, NY

--the Redemptoristines in Esopus NY. Their most recent profession was in her 60's and now has a great blog--go to blog links.

All wear habits, full or modified. Many need vocations.

There's a list of contemplative communities in the tri-state (NY,NJ, PA) area at:

macc.catholic.org (Metro Area Contemplative Communities), which include the above.

BUT, Discerning,

(I took the liberty of viewing your website)

you like horses, right?

what about the Poor Clares of Brenham, TX? They raise miniature horses! They wear a full habit (well, a little bit of hair...), have office, daily mass and daily BS adoration.

they're at www.franciscanpoorclares.org.

You have to decide which charism and emphasis is right for you and then narrow it down.

...is there a possibility that a local Catholic organization might spring for gas/bus/train money? Knights of Columbus? After all, it's all in a good cause...Present them with invite letters and an itinerary...