On April 14, more than 40 young adults from across the Diocese of Allentown attended a retreat day at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Kutztown, eager to spend time in prayer and learn from a professor, a priest, a religious sister, a married couple, and a working single woman on discernment and holiness.
The day opened with Mass, celebrated by Father Aaron Scheidel, Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. In his homily, he commended retreat attendees for their initiative and openness in seeking hear to God’s call.
“Let us move forward in our faith and trust,” Father Scheidel said, “and follow God’s peace, goodness, and will each and every day of our lives.”
Dr. Sara Hulse Kirby gave the keynote address after Mass. Hulse Kirby is the Assistant Professor of Theology and the Department Chair for Theology and Philosophy at DeSales University, Center Valley. She shared her discernment journey of overcoming her own expectations so that she could hear and answer God’s will. While she initially sought out religious life because she wanted the “higher” vocation, she eventually realized that her desire came from pride, not God. What is more, she learned that holiness is also possible and beautiful in married life.
She shared with the group: “Marriage gives you a strong sense that you are no longer the center of your life, and isn’t that what holiness is all about?”
Hulse Kirby emphasized the beauty of both religious life and married life, and she gave her listeners some advice which she herself had received on her journey: “God’s will for you is where your desires, your gifts and talents, and the world’s needs all come together.”
She warned against comparison, discouragement, and busyness as common obstacles to hearing God’s voice. Most importantly, she explained, “you have to pray!”
Time for lunch and Adoration followed Hulse Kirby’s talk, and then retreatants split into a group of men and a group of women for the remaining sessions.
Sister Mathilde DeLucy, SCC spoke to the female retreatants about becoming a religious sister. She joined the Sisters of Christian Charity in 2011, and is the Director of Campus Ministry and Choir Director at Allentown Central Catholic High School. She testified to how God used wise people in her life to guide her to Himself. “A priest said to me: do you think God hates you? He would never lead you to anything that would not give you joy and fulfillment.”
Although her path to religious life included doubts and challenges, Sister Mathilde said that, when she finally embraced her vocation, she was confident that this yes to God was right.
“When we give a ‘yes’ to God, He’s not going to play with our hearts,” Sister insisted. “I pray that you know that giving your ‘yes’ isn’t scary and awful, but freeing.”
“I heard my first ever talk from a religious sister at this retreat,” shared Debbie McDonald, a student from Muhlenberg College, at the day’s end. “As someone who was not raised Catholic but converted later in life, it was so great to hear her story.”
Father John Maria, Pastor of St. Mary’s, Kutztown, and Director of Vocations for the Diocese, spoke to all the men in attendance about his journey to the priesthood. Having had a marriage annulled before becoming ordained at age 51, Father Maria could speak well of listening to God’s voice at any stage in life, as well as how the call to holiness is truly universal.
“Father Maria’s vocation story is incredible,” an attendee emphasized afterwards.
Then, the men and women alternated attending talks on the married vocation and single life.
Dr. Mike St. Pierre, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Allentown, and his wife, Cary St. Pierre, shared wisdom from their time of dating and their 26 years of marriage. They repeatedly emphasized the importance of prayer, specifically of praying together.
“You aren’t just a butler and a maid. Prayer is the foundation,” said St. Pierre. “Marriage is a relationship, and to do it well for decades, you really have to commit to it. It is a covenant, and God gives the grace to live that supernatural, tender love.”
Katie Albright, Director of Catechesis for the Diocese of Allentown, utilized sacred art to speak to and reflect on “The Vocation We All Begin With,” that is, being single, and growing in holiness.
“We need to be open to Heaven crashing in on our lives,” Albright said. She gave her listeners advice on identifying their own gifts, finding a supportive community, and resources to deepen their relationships with Christ.
Having spent the day with examples of happy and faithful people in various walks of life, attendees returned home with notebooks full, reminded of how God has a plan for everyone, and it always involves both joy and sanctity.
Photos by Norm Steinruck.
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