CFCYOUTHFORCHRIST3YearPastoralFormationTrack

Year3

VOCATIONRECOLLECTION

2009Edition

1CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

YFCVocationRecollectionTABLEOFCONTENTS

Chapter1:THEVOCATIONRECOLLECTION,GUIDELINES,ANDDYNAMICS

A. RationaleB. OverviewC. ObjectivesD. SuggestedScheduleE. GuidelinesandRemindersinConductingtheActivity

Description/RolesofServiceTeam GeneralGuidelines

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Chapter2:STAKEFORTHENATIONACTIVITIES

A. Talk1InthePalmofHisHandsB. Talk2VocareC. Talk3R.S.V.P.

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APPENDIX:FathersLoveLetter 1920

2CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

CHAPTER1THEVOCATIONRECOLLECTION,GUIDELINESANDDYNAMICS

A. RATIONALE

CFC Youth for Christ (YFC) is a young community of believers, a ministry of

CouplesforChrist,filledwiththevibrancyandtheconvictionoftheSpirit,eagertobesent todoone thingspread the loveofChrist. Oneof thebasic thingswewant toinculcate intheheartsoftheyoung isappreciatingtheuniquenessthatGodhasgiventhem,realizinghowspecialtheyare,andbringingthemtoastateofansweringthecallthatGodhasforthem.

Duringouryoungeryears,alotofpeoplewouldoftenaskedthequestionWhat

doyouwant tobewhenyougrowup?Somewould say theywanted tobecomeaDoctor,aTeacher,anEngineer,aPoliceorBusinessman.

Consequently,aswegrowold,welearnandexperiencealotofthingsinlife,we

discover a lot about ourselves and the environment we are in. Our answer to thepreviousquestionmaybethesameormaybedifferent,butforsome, it isaquestionthatremainsunanswered.

From that simple question, more questions became deeper and more

meaningfulaswegrowolder.Now,weanswerquestions likewhatcoursetotakeoncollege?, what profession to pursue? even questions like what isGods plan forme?,whatismypurposeinlife?,whatismycalling?

The word calling has become vague for many young people. Vocation or

Callinghasalwaysbeenassociatedonlytobecomingapriestornun.But inrealitywehavedifferentvocations tobecomeapriest,anun,asingleperson for theLordoramarriedperson.

B. OVERVIEW

ThisVocationRecollectionisanactivityintendedforYFCmemberstobeawareof thedifferentvocationsandappreciate themas theyactivelyseek forGodsplan intheir lives. ThewillalsoprovideavenuefortheYFCtoaspire,seekand liveouttheirchosenvocationforthemtobeasourceofstrengthandinspirationforothers.

It is a wholeday recollection where the participants would experience the

callingthatGodhasforthem,andallowthemtobekeenandsensitivetoGodsword.

3CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

TheVocationRecollection isgivenonthethirdyearofthePastoralFormationTrackofYFCmembersspecificallydonetowardstheendoftheschoolyear,whereourmembers (especially the graduating students) arediscerning toGods leading for thenextstepintheirjourney.

Like most of the Pastoral Formation Track, the Vocation Recollection is

conductedonacluster level(forCommunityBasedProgram)oronasector level(ForCampus andHigh SchoolBasedPrograms). It is spearheadedby theClusterCoupleCoordinatoror theSectorProgramCoordinator togetherwith their respectiveClusterYouthHeadsandSectorProgramHeads.

C. OBJECTIVES

1. FortheYFCtobeawareandtoappreciatethedifferenttypesofvocationorcalling.2. InitiateintheheartsoftheYFCthedesiretoseekwhattheLordsplanforourlives.

D. SUGGESTEDSCHEDULE

8:00am9:00 Arrival/Gathering9:009:30 OpeningWorship9:3010:00 Welcome/Orientation10:0011:00 Session111:0011:30 DiscussionGroup11:3012:30pm Lunch12:301:00 Gathering/TeachingofSongs1:003:00 Session23:004:00 Session3 ClosingWorship4:005:00 Mass5:00 Homesweethome

E. GUIDELINESANDREMINDERSINCONDUCTINGTHEACTIVITYA. Description/RolesoftheServiceTeam

1. Recollection Team Leaders a cluster youth head and cluster couplecoordinatorwillbe inchargeofthewholeactivity;theymakessurethatallthe things are prepared before the activity and everything is runningsmoothlyduringtheactivity;

2. Emcee/Hostavibrant, interactiveandpastorallyrootedbrotherwhohasthe capacity to entertain and process conversations directing to themaintopic. Abrotherwhounderstandsvocationsandthedifferentvocationswehaveforabetterdiscussion.

4CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

3. Facilitatorstheywillassistthegroupdiscussions.Note:Thenumberoffacilitatorsmayvarydependingontheexpectednumberofparticipantswiththeratioof1:6includingthecouplecoordinators.

4. MusicMinistryatleastoneguitarist,willbeinchargeofmusicandworshipsongsneededduringtheactivity.

5. RegistrationTeam/LogisticsTeam

B. GeneralGuidelines1. Planningof theactivity shouldbe3monthsbefore theannounceddate to

give ample time for preparations since we would be looking and settingschedulesforguestspeakersfortheprogram.

2. Suggested venue should be indoor, welllighted and wellventilated thusprovidingaverygoodambiance for theparticipants to listenand recollectwellonthetopicswell.

3. TheServiceTeamareaskedtopreparethefollowingmaterials:a. RegistrationSheetsb. Pensc. TablesandChairsd. LCD(LiquidCrystalDisplay)w/whitescreene. LaptopComputerw/audioconnectorf. GoodPASystemwithmicrophonesg. MusicalInstrument(Atleast1Guitar)h. AVPFathersLoveLetter(AppendixB)i. Pamphlets of Different Vocations (Encourage the invited guests to

bringtheirpromotionalmaterialsorpamphletstobeused insession3)

j. Livingroomsetup(couch/decorsforthetalkshow)k. For Session Two: AVP about married life, religious life and being

singlefortheLord.

5CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

INTHEPALMOFHISHANDTALKONEOFTHEYFCVOCATIONRECOLLECTION

IhavewrittenyournameinthepalmofmyhandsIsaiah49:16OBEJCTIVES:

1. HelptheyoungrealizehowGodcreatedthemuniquelyandspecial.2. FortheparticipantstobeawarethatGodhasagreaterpurposeforthem.

DYNAMICS:

1. Thesessionwillstartwiththespeakeraskingtheparticipants interestingquestionsaboutthemselves. Thespeakerwillaskthemtowritetheiranswersonapieceofpaperorontheirjournals.(Thepurposeof this activity is to set themood and forourparticipants to knowthemselves better and to see that theywere created differently but uniquely byGod.)Questionsareasfollow:

o Whatareyour3simplejoys?o Iammosthappywheno Ilovedoingo Ifearo Ifeelmostlovedwheno WhatuniqueskillscanIdo?o WhatdoIlikemostaboutmyself?

2. Then in themiddleof thesession,anameactivitycalled Whats inmyname? is

done. Itsanactivitywherewewouldask theparticipants towrite theirname, inthemostcreativeway,onapieceofpaper.Afterwhich,weaskthemtorecallthemeaningof theirname,where it came from,howdid theirparents cameupwithsuchaname,orhowtheyperceivethemeaningoftheirnameis.

3. Thenthespeakerwillgivethemampletimetoshare itwiththeirseatmates. Thiswould give them the opportunity to realize how special they are that even theirnameswasthoughtaboutorhasaspecialsignificance.

4. The lastpartofthesessionwillalsobesupportedbyanAVPentitledLoveLetterfromGod (www.FathersLoveLetter.com). Or iftheAVP isnotavailable,acopyofthe love lettercanbeflashedthroughaprojectorand/orcopiescanbedistributedtotheparticipants.(SeeAppendixforcontent.)

5. Thesessionwillendwithagroupdiscussion.SPEAKERS/FACILITATORSPROFILE

Speakerscanbeaclusterhead,brotheror sister.He/Shemustbepastorallymatureandcanspeakwithintegrityaboutthetopic.(Note:ItisalsopossiblethattheareacanlookforspeakersfromthemembersoftheclergywhocamefromYFCorSFC)

6CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

TALKOUTLINE

I. WEARESPECIALWeareGodschildrenandwearemadeSpecial.Wearespecialbecausewehave

aGodwho knows us fully and loves us forwhowe are. Young or old, rich or poor,completeorbrokenfamily,wearealllovedbyGodunconditionally.

WehaveaGodwhogivesuseverything thatweneed.Theabundanceof the

Lordisvastandisalwaysontime.Hisblessingswillalwaysbeenoughforus.Heisnevertooearlyorlate.

WehaveaGodwhowillinglysacrificedHisonlySonsowecanbesavedfromour

sins.WehaveaGodwhohasagreatplanforus.WehaveaGodwhosegreatdesireisforustobehappy.

God desires for our happiness because we are specialspecial in His eyes,

specialinHisheart.Doyoubelievethatyouarespecial?

(Thespeakeraskstheparticipantstoreadtheiranswerssilently)Lookatyouranswers; thesearemanifestationsofGods love forallofus. He

made each one of us different from one another, because God wanted us to beuniqueone of the best kindcrafted uswith the hands of great love. Thats howspecialweare.

(Note:Thespeakerasksthemtogettheirjournalsagainoranypieceofpaper

then asks them towrite their names, in themost creativeway. Afterwhich, thespeakerasksthemtorecallthemeaningoftheirname,whereitcamefrom,howdidtheirparentscomeupwithsuchaname,orhowtheyperceivethemeaningoftheirnameis.Thenwegivethemampletimetoshareitwiththeirseatmates.)

Oneuniquecharacteristic thatwealsohaveareournames. Why?Weare so

special that even before our parents thought of our names, God already wrote ournamesinthepalmofHishands.Icanneverforgetyou!Ihavewrittenyournameonthepalmofmyhands.Isaiah49:16(TEV)

Ournameshasaparticularmeaningwhichbestdescribesusasason/daughter

ofGod. Wemaynotrealize itat first,butsooneror later,wewillrecognize thatournamerepresentsour identity,speciallymadebyGod. Andhoweverwegotourname,wherever it came from (from animals, from televisions, or songs), how funny itmaysoundattimes,howcommonorregularwemightfindit;Godhasdestinedittofulfillaspecific purpose. Though we can have the same name with others, what makes us

7CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

uniqueand special inGodseyes isour individual identity inHim.Godmadeus foraspecialpurpose.

II. WEARESPECIALLYMADEFORAPURPOSE

We were made unique because we are created for a specific purpose. Our

ultimate and common purpose is to give glory toGod but howwewillmanifest orexecuteourpurposewillbeourway to show ouruniqueness. The Lordwants us toserveHim inwhateverwaywecan,throughmusic,sportsoreventhroughgivingtalksorsharingandthroughallthetalentsandabilitiesthatHehasgivenus.

What roledoyouplaynow? (The speakerasks them to imagine thedifferent

rolesthattheyplaynowandwhatarethedaytodayroutinesthattheydoinfulfillingeachspecificrole.)

Yourroleasasonordaughtertoyourparents?Yourroleasagoodbrother/sistertoyoursiblings?Yourroleasastudentinyourschool?Yourroleasagoodfriend?Yourroleabrother/sistertoyourYFCbrothersandsisters?

(Thespeakergivestimetotheparticipantstoponderontheirroles.)

Wealsoplaydifferent roles inour lives thatgiveusdifferentpurposes.These

rolesleadustoperformingdifferenttasks.Ourpurposemaybetoserveandtakecareofourfamilies,toserveandtakecareofthepoor,tobeaninspirationtomany,oritcanalsobetobesilentandpraydevotedlyor incontemplation forthepeoplearoundus.ButwhatevertheLordiscallingustodo,HisultimatepurposeisforustoexperienceHisloveandtoloveHimback.Andtherolesthatweareplayingnow,wouldeventuallyleadustodiscoverandknowGodsplanforusinthefuture.Wewill,inHistime,determinewhatvocation to take,knowing thatGodhas lovedusever sincewewereborn.OurliveshavebeenwritteninthepalmofHishand.

FromthebookofJeremiah29:11,HetellsusForIknowwelltheplansIhavein

mind for you; plans for yourwelfare not forwoe; plans to give you future full ofhope.God knows exactlywhereHewillplaceus; and theplaceHehasprepared isexactlywhereallHispromisestouswillbefulfilled;andHehassuchgreatpromises.

Thechallenge forus is toclaim thatpromiseofhappinessanddesire toknow

whattheplanofGod is forour lives. WeneedtobeopenandhopethatourdesiresmayalsobewhatGoddesiresforus,butifnot,letushavethehearttoacceptandknowthatGodknowsbetter.

8CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

III. CONCLUSIONThereasonwhywewerewritten inthepalmofGodshandswasthatfromthe

very beginning, He has a very beautiful and unique plan for us. As we continue tojourney in thatpromise,wewilleventuallydiscover thevocationGodhas forus.Andoncewehavediscoveredourvocation,wewillexperiencethefullnessandfulfillmentofGodsplanforus.

(Note:YouknowbetterthanIinstrumentalmusicstartstoplay.TheSpeaker

can choose reflection song about God knowing exactly what we need; He aloneknows.ThespeakerleadseveryonetolistenorwatchdependingonhowtheletterwouldbepresentedandreflectonGodsloveletterforthem)

9CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

VOCARE(Vocre)TALKTWOOFTHEYFCVOCATIONRECOLLECTION

Therearedifferentwaysofserving,butthesameLordisserved.Therearedifferentabilitiestoperformservice,butthesameGodgivesabilitytoallfortheirparticularservice.

1Corinthians12:56OBJECTIVES

1. Fortheparticipantstounderstandthebasicvocationswehave.2. Forthemtoappreciatethedifferentvocations.3. Providetheyouthavenueofengagingtodifferentvocationswithenjoyment.

DYNAMICS

1. Thesessionwillhaveatalkshowformat.2. ItwillstartwithanAVPaboutmarriedlife,religiouslife&singlefortheLord.3. ItwillbeaTalkShowsettingsupportedwithcompletelogisticalsetups,weaskEmcee/s

topreparewithacompletescriptandresearchmaterialsaboutthegueststobeabletofacilitatewell the flowof the show. It is important that theguests shouldbebriefedwiththelineupofquestionsandthelimitationsoftheiranswerswiththeallottedtime.Followupquestionswillalsobeimportantandhelpfultokeeptheshowspontaneous.

4. Theemcee/hostwillcallthePriestandtheNunthenasksthemafewquestions.5. Thentheemcee/hostwillcallthemarriedcoupleandthesinglefortheLord.6. Theemcee/hostcallseveryonebackandopensthehouseforquestions.7. Theemcee/hostwillwrapupthediscussion.8. ClosingPrayer

SPEAKER(EMCEES/HOST)PROFILE

1. AmatureYFCleaderwhoispastorallyrootedinhisvaluesandCatholicculture.2. PreferablyanMVorFTW,orifunavailable,anyYFCleader.3. He/Shemustbe a conversationalist andwittyand canbuild a good rapportwith the

guestsandaudience.SHARERS(GUESTS)PROFILE

1. Therewillbe,ideally,3sharers/guests:a. apriestornun/religiousbrotherwhoansweredthecalltobesinglefortheLordb. ansinglepersonwhohavechosentobesinglefortheLordc. amarriedcoupleforatleast10years

2. Theymustbe:

a. Happyandcommittedintheirvocation.b. Abletosharehowtheyhavetrulypreparedtoentertheirvocationc. Abletoexplainthoroughlyabouttheirchosenvocation.d. Abletoseetheirvocationasablessing.

10CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

GUIDELINESFORTHESPEAKER/EMCEE/HOST1. Thesession isatalkshow; itwouldreallyhelp ifhe/shecouldresearchonhowatalk

showruns.2. Thewholesessionruns for45minutes,so itsbestthatwecaptureandgostraightto

thepoint.Weencouragethatthehostpreparesfollowupquestionfortheparticipantstounderstandthetopicverywell.

3. Thehostshouldtalktotheguestsforfamiliarizationandforexpectationsespeciallywiththe questions to be asked althoughwe suggest thatwe give out the script to theguestsamonthbeforethesaidactivity.

4. Theemceeshouldobserveproperattitudesandcarrygoodvalueswhileinterviewingordoingthewholesession.

5. Wesuggestthatthehostbringstheambiancetoalightatmosphere,humorisstronglyencourageaslongasitiscleananddoesnothumiliateorembarrassanyone.

EXPANDEDTALKOUTLINEANDPROGRAMSCRIPT

I. INTRODUCTION

Now thatwe know thatwe are special andGod truly is a generousGod,werealizedhowimportantGodsplanisforus.Andthatallweneedtodoistobesensitiveto hear where God is calling us. However, we sometimes close our doors to theopportunitiesthatHelaiddownbeforeus;wesometimesstrikedownachoicebecauseitisanunpopularchoice.

II. TALKSHOWSCRIPT

HOST: This afternoon brothers and sisters,wewill have the opportunity to listen towonderfulpeoplewhoansweredGodscallthroughthevocationthattheyhavechosen.Youmightwanttoask,whatisvocation?

Vocation1is:

a. AcallingbythewillofGod.b. Acalltospecialreligiouswork,astotheministry.c. ThebestowmentofGod'sdistinguishinggraceuponapersonornation,by

whichthatpersonornationisputinthewayofsalvation.

1 http://www.brainyquote.com

11CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

Thereare3TypesofVocation2:A. Priesthood/ReligiousLife:

1. Priesthood:ACatholicpriestisamaleordainedministeroftheChurch.Because

theygive their lives in total service to theChurch,priestsembrace thegiftofcelibacyandcommittoalifeofprayer.TheyproclaimtheGoodNews,teachtheCatholic faith, minister the Sacraments, work to build up their local faithcommunity and lead them in worship. Most priests will minister in a parishsetting,whileothersmay serve as chaplains touniversities,hospitals,prisons,thearmedforcesandotherindustries.

2. ReligiousLife:Areligiouspriest,brotherorsister(nun)commitshisorherlifetosharing in the life andmission of their religious community. Religious priests,brothers and sistersembrace the call topoverty, chastity andobedience, andnurture theircall througha lifeof celibacy, faith,prayerand service.Religiouspriests,brothersandsistersserveinareassuchaseducation,healthcare,parish,youthministry, aged care, spirituality, pastoralministry, socialwork, amongstthepoorandasacontemplative,andmanywill serveasmissionaries inothercultures.Dependingonthereligiousorder,theymaydressin'normal'clothesorinahabit.

B. Marriage/MarriedLife:

A married person lives a vow of faithful love to a spouse through thesacramentofmarriage.Husbandsandwivesshareaselfgiving,lovegivingandlifegiving relationshipwith their spouse, and are committed to helping their spousegrow tohumanandChristianmaturity.Theyseek to forma familyhome,andaretogether the first teachersof their children inChristian faith and values.Marriedpeople may serve in their parish community or in the Church in a number ofdifferentways.

C. SingleLife:

Aperson called to single life comes tobelieve that remaining single is thetrueandrightwaytofaithfullylivehisorherbaptismalcall.Singlemenandwomenembracedthegiftofcelibacywhilelivingalone,withafamilyorwithotherswhoaresingle.Theyareabletodevotetimeandenergyinserviceofothers,andmayserveintheirparishcommunityorintheChurchinanumberofdifferentways.

HOST:Andthisafternoon,wehavedifferentguestsforthreeofourvocations,religiouslife,singlelifefortheLordandmarriedlife.Doyouwanttomeetthemnow?Ifyouareready,sitbackandrelaxand letswelcomeourfirstguests(callsonthepriestandthenunenters)

2 http://www.scrambivc.blogspot.com

12CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

(Hostwelcomestheguestsandleadsthemtothecouch,askingthemtositdown.Theguestswillenteroneaftertheother.)(Thehostasksthegueststomakethemselvescomfortableandaskthemtointroducethemselvesname,fromwhere,andvocation)

POSSIBLEQUESTIONSBYTHEHOST:

1. Could you say something about your chosen vocation? What has been your joywhen you have chosen your vocation? Could you share a little about your dailyroutine?

2. Howdidyoureachthisdecisionoftakingupthisvocation?Howwasyour journeytowardsthisdecision?

3. Possiblefollowupquestions:Howdidyoufinallyknowthatthiswasthevocationforyou?Howdidyouknowyouhadadesireforit?Inyourearlieryearshaveyouconsideredothervocations?(i.e.priortobeingapriest,haveyoueverbeeninlove?Whatwereyourpreparationsasyoudecidedonyourvocation?Howdidyourfamilyreact?Whatsgoodaboutyourchosenvocation?Whatblessinghaveyoureceived?

4. Isthereatimetableforthosewhoarestartingtodiscern?(Facilitatorsaskthenextgueststoprepare.Theywillalsoguidethepresentgueststowheretheywouldstaybeforetheopenforum.)

HOST:Thankyousomuch.Itwasveryenlightening.Everythingyouvesharedhasreallyopenedtheeyesofouraudience.

(Thepresentguestwillthenbeguidedbytheusherstoexitaswemakewayforthenextguests)

HOST:Rightnow,wewould listentoanothersideofthestory. Andthis Ithinkwouldalso be very interesting. Do you want me to call on the next guests? Help me inwelcoming.(CallinthemarriedcoupleandthesinglelifefortheLordenters)

(Hostwelcomestheguestsandleadsthemtothecouch,askingthemtositdown.)(Thehostasksthegueststomakethemselvescomfortableandaskthemtointroducethemselvesname,fromwhere,andvocation)

(Hostwillgothroughthequestionsagainforthepresentguest.)

(After,thefacilitatorswillleadthepriestandthenuntoenterandjointhediscussionforopen forum. Facilitatorswillplacedistributepiecesofpaper fortheaudienceto

13CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

writetheirquestionswhichthentheywillhandtotheeventheadtoreviewandcheckbeforehandlingittothespeakertoreadandaskthegueststoanswer)

HOST:Thankyousomuch.HearingourguestsstoriesindeedallowedustoseethattheLordhasgreaterplanforus.Now,wewillopenourfloorforpossiblequestionsfromouraudience.

(FinalMessagefromtheguests)Soanylastwordsorcanyougiveusanyadvicetoouraudiencenowastheyjourneytheirlivesindiscoveringtheirvocation?

(AftertheOpenForumtheHostwillthanktheguestsandthenturnhisattentiontotheaudience)

III. CONCLUSION/WRAPUPOFTHEHOST

Whatevervocationwemaychooseinthefuture,theLordwillsurelyblessit.God

isreallyaGodfullofsurprises.Hemayleadustowherewedontexpectourselvestobein,buteventuallyHewillallowHisplans tostillbemanifested inour lives. Heneverstops callingus,but in theend, itwillalwaysbeuswhowilldecide.God lovesus somuchthatwhereverwemaydecidetogo,HewillneverstopinfulfillingHispromisestous.Thechallengetousnow,istoopenourheartsandourmindstoseekactivelyGodscallingtous.BesensitiveinHiswordsandallowHimtoleadus.

14CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

R.S.V.P.TALKTHREEOFTHEYFCVOCATIONRECOLLECTION

SpeakLord,yourservantislistening.1Samuel3:10OBJECTIVES

1. EncouragetheparticipantstoactivelyseekwhattheLordhasplannedforthem.2. Suggestwayshowtostarttheirdiscernment.

DYNAMICS

1. Thetalk isanexhortationtalkwherethespeakercansharehispersonal journey inseekingGodsplanforhim.

2. Itisaonehourtalkincludingtheworship.3. Thespeakerwillstartwiththesession.4. Towardsthe lastpartofthetalk,themusicministryplaysthereflectionsongwhile

thespeakerwrapsupthetalk.5. Speakerleadstheparticipantstoworship

SPEAKERSPROFILE

1. CanbeaMissionVolunteeroraFullTimeWorker,ora formerYFCLeaderand isnowactiveinSFC.

2. Shouldbeabrother.TALKPROPER

R.S.V.P. (R.S.V.P. stands for repondes, sil vousplait. [reypohndey seel voopley] Frenchphrasewhichmeans please reply. The person sending the invitationwould like you to tellhim/herwhetheryouacceptordeclinetheinvitation.)

I. INTRODUCTIONWestartedthisdayreceivingGodsletter.WeknewthenthatGodhasaspecial

purposeforus.WeheardfrompeoplewhofollowedHiscall.Now,theLord issendingan invitation for us to experience the fullness of life. What should then be ourresponse?

TheLordiswaitingforustorespond.

II. DECIDETOSEEKTHECALL

Aswedecide to seekGods call,what then shouldbe the stateofourheart?WhatistheLordexpectingfromus?Thefollowingaretheattitudeweshouldtake:

15CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

1. Believe thatGodsplan forus is thebestGod said in Jeremiah29:11For IknowwelltheplansIhaveforyou,planstogiveyouafuturefullofhope.PlansforthegoodandnotforwoeBelievethatGodwantstoworkinyourlifejustas profoundly and powerfully as he did in the lives of those who faithfullyembracedhisplanthroughoutthecenturies.

2. BeopentoGodsleadingandacceptHisplanforourlifeLetusallowtheLord

to reveal to uswhat vocationHewants us to pursue. Be open to followHisleadingandbewillingtoacceptit,whateverittakes.Evenifitmeanswehavetogiveupourownplansforourlife.

3. HaveatrustingheartGodpromisedinIsaiah48:17(NAV)I,theLordyourGod

teachyouwhatisforyourgood,andleadyouonthewayyoushouldgo.LetustrusttheLordthatHewillleadustothevocationthatwillbringrealhappiness.Inthatpath,wewillbeabundantlyblessed!

III. ACTIVEDISCERNMENT

Faith and action should go hand in hand.We are now compelled to act. The

followingaresomewaysthatcanhelpusdiscovermoreofGodasweseekthecall.

1. Conversewithpeoplefromdifferentvocation(E.g. Priest, nuns, married couples, your own parents, Singles for God,

contemplative,etc.)Itishelpfultogetfeedbackfromotherpeopleinsteadoftryingtoanswer

your questions alone.God can speak through these people, to enlighten andaffirmusofourcalling.

2. WidenourperspectivebyresearchingandreadingbooksItishelpfulthatduringourdiscernment,weplaceourselvesatthestate

of exploring, through reading books, useful literatures or any related topic tounderstandfurtherthedifferentvocationsandforadditionalknowledgeandforawiderperspective.

Wealsotrydifferentvocationsseminar,like:a. SearchIn/LiveIninSeminaries

An overnight stayin, two or threeday activity, dependingupon yourneed,where a facilitatorwould guide you andhelp youdiscernonwhichpathtotake.Thisisaretreatwhereyouwillbeledtoadiscernmenttimeandmoment,apersonaljourneywithGodandanopportunitytofindyourwaythroughHisleading.

16CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

b. ImmersionsAn activity that allows you to look into the different paths

whichyouarediscerningandwillgiveyouaclearviewandoutlookofhowyourlifewillbe,givingyoutheleewaytoadjust.Thisisaspecialkindof activity that allows you to live for adayor two,even for amonth at times, just to have a feel and an experience to set yourhearttowhateverpathyoutake.

c. VocationRecollections

Thisisanactivitythatwillhelpyoureflectonyourcurrentstatusofyourspiritual lifeandwillhelpyou inyourdiscernment infindingyourvocation.

IV. INGODSPERFECTTIME

Now thatwe have a clear view of the different vocations and embraced theheartofansweringGodscall,wewillbecalledtodecideonwhatvocationtotakeatsomepointinourlives.Weneedtobereadytodothefollowing:A. Surrenderourdesires

Wemayhaveourownplans,butweneedtobesensitivetothewillofGod.AndwhenwefollowHiswill,weneedtobereadytosurrenderourdesiresandthethingsthatwewant forour lives.WeneedtohaveaheartcourageousenoughtoacceptthatHeknowswhatisbestforus.

B. FollowGodsplan

Canawomanforgetherownbabyandnotlovethechildshebore?Evenifamothershouldforgetherchild,IwillneverforgetyouIhavewrittenyourname

onthepalmofmyhands.Isaiah49:1516(TEV)AllthatGodwants isforustotrustHim.TrustHimthatwhateverhappens,

Hewilltakecareofus ifwefollowHiswill.TherearethreethingsthatweneedtoalwaysrememberwhenwefollowHisplan:

a. God isagenerousGodHe isneverunfairandHewillalwaysprovide forour

needs.b. Hewillneverleaveuswhenwetaketheleap,Hewilljourneywithus.

C. EmbracewithFaithfulness

WhenyouhavediscoveredyourvocationaccordingtoGodsplan,youhavetofaithfullyandwholeheartedlyembraceyourcall.

17CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

V. CONCLUSION(Atthispoint,thespeakerwill leadeveryone intoaprayerastheMusicMinistry

nowstarts toplay the reflectionsong.Advise theparticipants to talk toGod.ThankGodfortheawesomeplan,andaskGodforthefaithtoclaimthisplan.)

1. Decide Luke5:1011 So theybrought theirboats to landand followedHim

leavingeverything.ClaimanddecideGodsplanforyourlife.Heonlywantsthebestforyou.Whatmorecouldbebetterthanthat?

2. Fulfill(Luke22:42)Father,ifitisyourwillremovethiscupfromme,stillnotmywill but yours be done. The Lord requires us to start the journey in thefulfillmentofHisperfectplanforus.ThetimetofulfillGodscallisnow.

3. LiveOutTheloveoftheLordbecomesrealtouseveryday.Wecometothepointwhereweexperience thishigher levelofpassion to live this life forHim.We should remember then that inWhateverwedo,wedo it for thegloryofGod(1Corinthians10:31)

REFLECTIONGUIDE1. WhatarethethingsIneedtosurrendertoclearlyseeanddiscovermyvocation?2. WhatarethestepsIcandonowtoactivelyseekmyvocation?

REFLECTIONPRAYER(TheSpeakercanrecitethisprayerofThomasMertonasheleadseveryonetoreflection)

MyLordGod,IhavenoideawhereIamgoing.IdonotseetheroadaheadofmenordoIreallyknowmyself.AndthefactthatIthinkIamfollowingyourwilldoesnotmeanthatIamactuallydoingso.ButIbelievethatthedesiretopleaseyoudoesinfactpleaseyou.AndIhopethatIwillneverdoanythingapartfromthatdesire.AndIknowthatifIdothis,youwillleadmebytherightroadthoughImayknownothingaboutit.ThereforewillItrustyoualwaysthoughImayseemtobelostandintheshadowofdeath.

18CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

Iwillnotfear,foryouareeverwithme,andyouwillneverleavemetofacemystrugglesalone.Amen.PrayerofThomasMerton

(Thespeakerwillthenleadeveryonetoprayerwhichisseguewaytoworship.)

SUGGESTEDREFLECTIONSONGProfile:

AnysongthatspeaksofsurrenderingtoGodswill.ItcanalsoabouttrustingGodinwhereverHeisleadingus,knowingthatHeknowsbetterthanus.

SampleSong: WithAllIam SongofaServant

19CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

APPENDIXFATHERSLOVELETTER

Source: www.fathersloveletter.com MyChild,

Youmaynotknowme,butIknoweverythingaboutyou.Psalm139:1Iknowwhenyousitdownandwhenyouriseup.Psalm139:2

Iamfamiliarwithallyourways.Psalm139:3Eventheveryhairsonyourheadarenumbered.Matthew10:2931

Foryouweremadeinmyimage.Genesis1:27Inmeyouliveandmoveandhaveyourbeing.Acts17:28

Foryouaremyoffspring.Acts17:28Iknewyouevenbeforeyouwereconceived.Jeremiah1:45

IchoseyouwhenIplannedcreation.Ephesians1:1112Youwerenotamistake,forallyourdaysarewritteninmybook.Psalm139:1516Ideterminedtheexacttimeofyourbirthandwhereyouwouldlive.Acts17:26

Youarefearfullyandwonderfullymade.Psalm139:14Iknityoutogetherinyourmother'swomb.Psalm139:13

Andbroughtyouforthonthedayyouwereborn.Psalm71:6Ihavebeenmisrepresentedbythosewhodon'tknowme.John8:4144

Iamnotdistantandangry,butamthecompleteexpressionoflove.1John4:16Anditismydesiretolavishmyloveonyou.1John3:1

SimplybecauseyouaremychildandIamyourFather.1John3:1Iofferyoumorethanyourearthlyfatherevercould.Matthew7:11

ForIamtheperfectfather.Matthew5:48Everygoodgiftthatyoureceivecomesfrommyhand.James1:17ForIamyourproviderandImeetallyourneeds.Matthew6:3133

Myplanforyourfuturehasalwaysbeenfilledwithhope.Jeremiah29:11BecauseIloveyouwithaneverlastinglove.Jeremiah31:3

Mythoughtstowardyouarecountlessasthesandontheseashore.Psalms139:1718AndIrejoiceoveryouwithsinging.Zephaniah3:17Iwillneverstopdoinggoodtoyou.Jeremiah32:40Foryouaremytreasuredpossession.Exodus19:5

Idesiretoestablishyouwithallmyheartandallmysoul.Jeremiah32:41AndIwanttoshowyougreatandmarvelousthings.Jeremiah33:3Ifyouseekmewithallyourheart,youwillfindme.Deuteronomy4:29DelightinmeandIwillgiveyouthedesiresofyourheart.Psalm37:4

ForitisIwhogaveyouthosedesires.Philippians2:13Iamabletodomoreforyouthanyoucouldpossiblyimagine.Ephesians3:20

ForIamyourgreatestencourager.2Thessalonians2:1617IamalsotheFatherwhocomfortsyouinallyourtroubles.2Corinthians1:34

Whenyouarebrokenhearted,Iamclosetoyou.Psalm34:18Asashepherdcarriesalamb,Ihavecarriedyouclosetomyheart.Isaiah40:11

OnedayIwillwipeawayeverytearfromyoureyes.Revelation21:34AndI'lltakeawayallthepainyouhavesufferedonthisearth.Revelation21:34

IamyourFather,andIloveyouevenasIlovemyson,Jesus.John17:23ForinJesus,myloveforyouisrevealed.John17:26

20CFCYouthforChrist Year3:VOCATIONRECOLLECTION(2009EDITION)

Heistheexactrepresentationofmybeing.Hebrews1:3HecametodemonstratethatIamforyou,notagainstyou.Romans8:31

AndtotellyouthatIamnotcountingyoursins.2Corinthians5:1819JesusdiedsothatyouandIcouldbereconciled.2Corinthians5:1819Hisdeathwastheultimateexpressionofmyloveforyou.1John4:10IgaveupeverythingIlovedthatImightgainyourlove.Romans8:3132IfyoureceivethegiftofmysonJesus,youreceiveme.1John2:23

Andnothingwilleverseparateyoufrommyloveagain.Romans8:3839ComehomeandI'llthrowthebiggestpartyheavenhaseverseen.Luke15:7

IhavealwaysbeenFather,andwillalwaysbeFather.Ephesians3:1415MyquestionisWillyoubemychild?John1:1213

PIamwaitingforyou.Luke15:1132

Love,YourDadAlmightyGod