What Am I Being Called to Do?

Dear Friend,

Peace and all good be yours!

This weekend we welcome Sister Patricia Bruno OP and Father Jude Siciliano OP to St. Barbara Parish as we begin our annual Advent Retreat. Historians tell us that with the founding of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans - OFM) and the Order of Preachers (Dominicans - OP) in the early 12th century, towns and villages throughout Europe experienced the arrival of itinerant preachers as “religious life” moved out beyond monastic walls and onto the highways and byways. Sister Patricia and Father Jude are very much in line with this venerable tradition of creative renewal through a focus on the Word of God. 

This is the third year in a row that Sister Patricia and Father Jude have joined us (last year via ZOOM), so many will be familiar with their engaging and well-grounded approach to the intersection of scripture and life. For me personally, the blessing of their presence includes fond memories of Father Jude as our beloved Professor of Preaching during our years in theology school, and later of Sister Patricia as Father Jude’s preaching partner, as the dynamic team led the friars of St. Barbara Province in a week-long retreat.

With this weekend’s Gospel putting the spotlight on the preaching of John the Baptist, we might think of our Advent retreat leaders as voicing a call of conversion, as John did. More importantly, we might try to imagine what it was like for those who first listened to John the Baptist. For example, as Sister Patricia and Father Jude break open the word for us this weekend, I invite you to consider the question posed to John the Baptist by one of his listeners: What am I being called to do?

Gratefully and joyfully,

Fr. Dan, Pastor