Seven men participated in the annual “Come and See” vocation discernment weekend at St. Norbert Abbey. Five of the men are current students at St. Norbert College, one is a 2009 graduate of SNC, and another is a librarian at UW Madison.
(Front: Taylor Gostomski, Bryan Lauer, Zaccary Haney, Matt Mahon, Mickey Delaney and Patrick LaPacz. Back: Fr. John Tourangeau and Denis Brunke)
Friday activities included the celebration of Eucharist, Evening Prayer, Dinner and a presentation on “Norbertine Charism and Personal/Communal Prayer” by Fathers Michael Frisch, Jim Baraniak and Tim Shillcox. The evening concluded with a social gathering for those in discernment and Norbertine community members.
 Saturday was a full day, beginning with Morning Prayer and Eucharist. Fr. Jim Neilson presented on the “Catholic Imagination and the Art of Vocation,” followed by Fr. Brian Prunty who spoke about “Norbertines and Catholic Social Teaching: Prayer in Action.” Fraters Jake, Brad, Mike and Benn shared their vocation stories after Noon Prayer and lunch. A tour of the abbey followed, as well as a discussion on the “Stages of Discernment and Formation” lead by Fathers John Tourangeau and David Komatz. At Evening Prayer, Abbot Gary Neville led the community in prayer and the Rite of Ministry of Reader for first year novices Michael Brennan and Benjamin Newman. The day concluded with Gaudeamus, dinner and a Christmas concert in the abbey church presented by Fr. Michael Frisch, The Abbey Brass and SNC choral groups.
On Sunday, the “Come and See” weekend participants joined the community for Morning Prayer, Eucharist and lunch.
The weekend was filled with customary Norbertine welcome and hospitality, centered on the essential elements of communio: Common Prayer, Table and Eucharist. As the weekend participants were departing, they spoke in gratitude of the warm Norbertine welcome and hospitality they experienced throughout the weekend.
Each “Come and See” weekend participant received a copy of Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church (Rev. Robin Ryan, Ed. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2010). Here are three significant quotes that were discussed as part of the discernment process/experience:
In Chapter 4, The Art of Discernment, Bishop Robert Morneau says that “Discernment is directly related to baptism, our entrance into the life of Jesus and the Christian community. In the sacrament, later to be strengthened in confirmation and nourished by Eucharist, five calls are given: the call to maturity, the call to holiness, the call to community, the call to service, and the call to generosity. Thus, before discerning that one should marry, be single, be ordained or consecrated to religious life, the fundamental vocation is that of responding to the five calls of baptism. Everyone has to work out a double discernment as a disciple of Christ Jesus.” (p. 64)
In Chapter 7, Religious Life Today, Sr. Charlene Diorka, SSJ quotes the former superior general of the Jesuits, Rev. Pedro Arrupe, on love: “Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.” (p.114)
Finally, Sr. Charlene quotes Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer: “I do not know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” (p. 121)
And, together, we continue to pray for vocations to Norbertine life, especially to the canonry of St. Norbert Abbey:
Gracious and generous God,
Thank you for the gift of life and creating us in your image.
Guide our efforts to know your desire.
Help us discover, contemplate, and respond to your call.
Give us the grace and humility to embrace the mission of Jesus,
your Son.
Bless the Church of St. Norbert Abbey with faithful servants who prophetically live the Gospel message of justice and love.
Help us to be of one mind and heart on our way to You.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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