presence in any events that give us the opportunity to interact with the youth, the Church.
In closing, I would like to express the comment that I hear from young people concerning their discernment of religious life. I hear from young people about their curiosity to experience how we live our day to day lives in formation. I hear them saying that they are interested in the experience of a come-and-see weekend. By opening our doors to those who may be interested in discerning a call to religious life, we can give them the experience of living in formation. This gives us the opportunity to build a stronger relationship with young people.
This is a great way to engage, interact, and get to know the young people. Through Mass, prayer, and community life, we can give the experiences of life in formation that will lead up to life as a Missionary of the Precious Blood.
Matthew Perez is currently in initial formation with the Kansas City Province in Chicago. Prior to entering formation, he was the youth minister at St. Dominic Parish in Garden City, Kansas, for five years, the last two of which he was also the parish administrator. W
Sabbatical, continued from page 5
well-seasoned missionary, making adjustments to any living environment should have been a well-honed skill, almost as a second nature. Why was it so difficult for those missionaries? Now I find myself in a similar predicament.
From nearly 20 years of forcing myself to think, act and speak in an environment of“ keeping a low profile,”“ don’ t ask, don’ t tell,”“ what you see or hear is not what is,” and“ be extremely discreet of what to share, what not to share,” somehow incubated the attitude of“ be on constant guard” and“ be suspicious of everyone” in my
Formation
mentality. After times of having been deceived and betrayed by trusted persons, including“ good friends” and“ relatives,” each time I heard someone say“ trust me,” I subconsciously turned to a“ protected mode.”“ Trust me” switches my internal“ red-flag” on.
Conversations with the provincial during the course of the sabbatical year involved possibilities of my next assignment, but returning to the Vietnam Mission was not one of them. When I left the Mission in June of 2015 it was in my mind that I would return after the year of sabbatical and pioneer some other ministries, paving way for the returning native members, perhaps to spearhead the Vietnam c. pp. s. community into some rural areas where pastoral ministry is underserved and most challenged by past and present circumstances. I had already made some initial contacts in and surveys of a few prospective locations.
But the Spirit pointed me in a different direction. I still maintain the conviction that as a community member my priority is to respond to the needs of the community. And it appears at this time that our more immediate needs are in the u. s. region. The options offered initially were to return to parochial ministry in one of the parishes that the province staffs. After a few subsequent conversations, it became clearer that internal service— namely formation ministry— was where the needs were and the Spirit was pointing me in that direction. In the words of St. Gaspar,“ We are living in times when it is necessary to form apostolic workers among people of all ranks.”
The Mercy Center sabbatical program description states,“ Our Sabbatical Program provides a unique program design of personal and professional growth opportunities that envelop a whole person approac for growth, healing and renewal. The eclectic blend of spirituality, psychology, theology, education, therapeutic experiences, inner healing, spiritual direction, art expressions, dream work, body / breath work, and healing touch provides a dynamic and innovative opportunity for personal growth and renewal.” That was what I experienced there.
In browsing through the subjects presented in the Vocation / Formation Providers Workshop and Sabbatical Programs, such as Mandala Explorations, Archetypes, Labyrinth Walk, Genogram, Meyers-Briggs, Enneagram, Dreams Explorations, Saint Teresa of Avila and the Seven Dwelling Places, Saint John of the Cross and Ascent to Love, I realized more and more the complexity of the transitioning movements taking place in
Fr. Lac Pham, left, with members of the Mercy Center Spiritual advisor training program continued on page 13
February 2017 • The New Wine Press • 7