Belated Vocations Website

[NovemberFourth]

Hi Pham,

I haven't been here for a while, but now I feel ready to start discerning again.  I seem to remember that Mater built a site for belated vocations. However, the link does not work any longer. Does the site still exist? If so, could someone kindly send me the URL?

Thanks!

 

[AveMariaPurissima]

@OnlySunshine

[By His Grace Alone]

Why did Mater change her name to onlysunshine?

[OnlySunshine]

Guys, I am very, very busy and I kept having to update the links.  At this time, I was unable to keep both websites updated and many links were broken or not working.  When I get more time, I may bring it back up, but it was no good the way it was.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience.  I'm getting ready to graduate next week and I am going back to work full-time. 

12 hours ago, By His Grace Alone said:

Why did Mater change her name to onlysunshine?

I felt like I wanted a change. 

Edited December 5, 2015 by OnlySunshine

[NovemberFourth]

Thanks Sunshine.

Totally understandable. Would it be useful if I started putting together a bit of a list?

Good luck with the graduation and job.

[OnlySunshine]

6 hours ago, NovemberFourth said:

Thanks Sunshine.

Totally understandable. Would it be useful if I started putting together a bit of a list?

Good luck with the graduation and job.

It's definitely up to you.  I thought it would be pretty easy to keep the websites updated but it's harder than I thought.  The shopping list website was the worst because the merchandise URLs would constantly change and I couldn't keep up with them.  It was easier when I wasn't so busy but I just don't have time anymore.  It was a difficult decision to shut them down, but it was something that had to be done, especially at the time.  Thank you for your understanding.  I wish you well in your discernment.

[nikita92]

Welcome back Sunshine!!

I always enjoyed looking at that website of yours!! From time to time I would go visit it every now and then! Nobody else has done that sort of thing besides you! For those that are "Mature" we appreciated it!

Congrats on your graduation, and good luck on getting that employment you are after!

[NovemberFourth]

7 hours ago, OnlySunshine said:

It's definitely up to you.  I thought it would be pretty easy to keep the websites updated but it's harder than I thought.  The shopping list website was the worst because the merchandise URLs would constantly change and I couldn't keep up with them.  It was easier when I wasn't so busy but I just don't have time anymore.  It was a difficult decision to shut them down, but it was something that had to be done, especially at the time.  Thank you for your understanding.  I wish you well in your discernment.

 If you are sure it's okay I will start chipping away at a list. I'm in the UK so will start looking at UK communities initially. It's something I will enjoy - plus it is very useful at this stage in my discernment. (Having got my hopes up and then that horrible drop of heart when you find out you are too old.) It really helps to know, up-front if there is any chance at all. I really appreciated all the work you put into that site and I know others did too. x   

[OnlySunshine]

19 minutes ago, NovemberFourth said:

 If you are sure it's okay I will start chipping away at a list. I'm in the UK so will start looking at UK communities initially. It's something I will enjoy - plus it is very useful at this stage in my discernment. (Having got my hopes up and then that horrible drop of heart when you find out you are too old.) It really helps to know, up-front if there is any chance at all. I really appreciated all the work you put into that site and I know others did too. x   

If you feel up to it, it would be great because I always had difficulty finding UK communities.  I absolutely do not care.  If I ever bring the website back up, maybe we could merge the lists.  Anyway, this will be my last reply for a while. 

[Pax17]

Congratulations, Sunshine...those of us who have been following your journey over the years are proud of you.  If I remember correctly, you are going to work in healthcare...best wishes for success in your new job.

[Sister Leticia]

Sunshine - congratulations on your forthcoming graduation and I hope you get a bit of a break, even if only a week or two, before you start work.

November - you haven't said how old you are but you have said you're in the UK. So am I. A lot of UK congregations will accept candidates at least up to around 50. There's also a small congregation founded for older women (40-65) called Mater Ecclesiae - http://www.mater-ecclesiae-convent.co.uk/vocations

[OnlySunshine]

2 hours ago, Sister Leticia said:

Sunshine - congratulations on your forthcoming graduation and I hope you get a bit of a break, even if only a week or two, before you start work.

November - you haven't said how old you are but you have said you're in the UK. So am I. A lot of UK congregations will accept candidates at least up to around 50. There's also a small congregation founded for older women (40-65) called Mater Ecclesiae - http://www.mater-ecclesiae-convent.co.uk/vocations

Thank you!  I get this whole week off to take care of graduation stuff as my internship ended on Thursday and my new job won't start until the 14th or afterward. 

[NovemberFourth]

6 hours ago, Sister Leticia said:

November - you haven't said how old you are but you have said you're in the UK. So am I. A lot of UK congregations will accept candidates at least up to around 50. There's also a small congregation founded for older women (40-65) called Mater Ecclesiae - http://www.mater-ecclesiae-convent.co.uk/vocations

Hi Sister Leticia, I am 51 - so a bit of a burnt offering! I know I am very lucky to be based in the UK as a greater proportion of UK congregations will look at those of us with a few more miles on the clock! I am also lucky because, as you know, the way student debt is set up in the UK means that it is not always so much of an issue. I am aware of the lovely Mater Ecclesiae but feel drawn to a larger community with a wider apostolate. However, I am discounting nothing!

[marigold]

7 hours ago, NovemberFourth said:

Hi Sister Leticia, I am 51 - so a bit of a burnt offering! I know I am very lucky to be based in the UK as a greater proportion of UK congregations will look at those of us with a few more miles on the clock! I am also lucky because, as you know, the way student debt is set up in the UK means that it is not always so much of an issue. I am aware of the lovely Mater Ecclesiae but feel drawn to a larger community with a wider apostolate. However, I am discounting nothing!

[Charbel]

2 hours ago, marigold said:

That part had my cheeks hurting! @NovemberFourth 

[Sister Leticia]

16 hours ago, NovemberFourth said:

Hi Sister Leticia, I am 51 - so a bit of a burnt offering! I know I am very lucky to be based in the UK as a greater proportion of UK congregations will look at those of us with a few more miles on the clock! I am also lucky because, as you know, the way student debt is set up in the UK means that it is not always so much of an issue. I am aware of the lovely Mater Ecclesiae but feel drawn to a larger community with a wider apostolate. However, I am discounting nothing!

Well, November, I'm sure this little holocaust is very pleasing to God! I expect you already know the UK religious life website run by the National Office of Vocation. It lists all UK congregations as well as advertising discernment events. That bit of the site is currently down for upgrading, but when it comes back up, why not contact the orders advertising weekends (unless they've stated an upper age limit), tell them your age and see how they respond? You will probably get more positive responses than you expect!

And in the meantime, you can check out the congregations listed, if you haven't already. Some might state an upper limit of 50, but you could still contact them, as 51 is only just over. http://ukreligiouslife.org/

[NovemberFourth]

Sister Leticia, it is indeed a great blessing that God loves us all, even if we are a little crispy around the edges!  Thank you so much for the link. I have, tentatively, emailed a couple of communities to find out a little more. One has answered and seems quite positive - I haven't heard anything from the other yet, but they are rumoured to be open to us oldies! Early days yet! But thank you so much for your encouragement - it means a lot.

[Sister Leticia]

I know that the vocations director for my congregation believes in discerning individually if she gets an enquiry from a woman of around 50, just as she would discern with a 25 yo. And in fact at our last vocations w/e one of the participants was a 50 yo, who undoubtedly raised similar questions and issues to the ones you would raise. Anyway, I have no idea what sort of spirituality, charism etc you feel attracted to, but in case the Sacred Heart and our charism and mission attract you, here's a link to our next weekend

http://www.societysacredheart.org.uk/vocation-discernment-events-2016.html

The UK religious life page of events is still down, but this link offers an address you can email for the list. I hope the page comes back soon, as there are several weekends with different orders, plus - if I recall correctly - some days of prayer with the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, which might be on their website.

http://ukreligiouslife.org/events/for-discerners

 

 

Edited December 9, 2015 by Sister Leticia

[NovemberFourth]

Thank you for this Sister Leticia. I have been reading up on the RSCJ. I have emailed to ask if I might be considered for the weekend in Roehampton as the community does look very interesting and I would like to find out a little more!