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