Vocation Dinner in Anchorage Attracts Nine Interested Women

April 7, Anchorage, Alaska – Nine interested young Catholic women spent the evening of April 7 learning about the vocation of religious life. They were attending the Archdiocese of Anchorage’s first-ever Vocation Dinner, held in the rectory of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Anchorage.

Sponsored and organized by the Archbishop Roger Schweitz, OMI, and the Anchorage community of Adrian Dominican Sisters, the evening included a welcome, Evening Prayer, dinner and informal conversation. Adrian Dominican Sister Lorraine Reaume, OP, and representatives of other Congregations, gave presentations on religious life, the vows, and their own communities. Also represented were the Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, and the Ursuline Sisters. A question and answer session concluded the day.

The evening was impressive for participants, both religious and lay. “This was a great experience, especially being able to learn about the lives of these sisters and the ways in which they were called,” said Alison Bilafer of St. Michael Parish in Palmer, Alaska. “This has encouraged me to continue my own discernment.”

Participants in the April 7 Vocation Dinner are, from left: Linda Miller, Rose Miller and Alison Bilafer; Adrian Dominican Sister Ann Fallon, OP; Sister Charlotte Davenport, CSJP, of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace; Gloria Thompson; Josie Isla; Ursuline Sister Lorene Griffin, OSU; Adrian Dominican Sister Lorraine Reaume, OP, of the Office of Vocations; Sister Katie Kline, OP, Daughters of Charity; Adrian Dominican Sister Jackie Stoll, OP; Sister Mary Peter Diaz, DC, of the Daughters of Charity; Casey Aukusitino; Kelly Braudis; Katherine Pili; Archbishop Roger Schwietz, OMI; Christina Pili; and Father Tom Lilly, of the Office of Vocations

Casey Aukusitino, of St. Anthony Parish in Anchorage, learned that “there are so many paths in life and that if you follow wherever God may take you, you’ll be happy.” Rose Miller, also of St. Michael Parish, was interested in the “different religious orders and ways that one can be called to serve God.”

The sisters were equally positive about the women who attended the dinner. “I was impressed with the openness of the young people to seek God’s path in their life, in trying to be open to God’s call,” said Sister Jackie Stoll, OP. Sister Ann Fallon, OP was “encouraged by the support of the archbishop, drawing women together and encouraging them to listen to God’s call.” Both Sister Jackie and Sister are Adrian Dominican Sisters.

The three Adrian Dominicans in Anchorage have been active in vocation outreach, hosting a monthly prayer and dessert night for women ages 18 to 45.

Interested single Catholic women between the ages of 19 and 35 are invited to enter the discernment process for vowed life with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. The Congregation also hosts a number of “Come and See” experiences to give women the opportunity explore Adrian Dominican life. Upcoming “Come and See” weekends in 2010 are scheduled for Friday to Sunday, May 14-16 at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida; and in Adrian, Michigan Thursday, August 5 until Sunday, August 8, the Feast of St. Dominic; Friday to Sunday, October 29-31; and Thursday to Saturday, December 30 to January 1, 2011. For further information on vowed membership or on “Come and See” events, contact Sister Durstyne Farnan, OP, at 517-266-3537 or vocations@adriandominicans.org.