Thriving Vocations at Female Religious Orders? Superiors Articulate Countercultural Lifestyle and Vision in New Video at CatholicTV.com

An exclusive video of sisters from The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) has just been added to the CatholicTV.com video collection. This video features sisters from several different orders. These orders are experiencing growth on a worldwide scale in great contrast to marked decline in vocations elsewhere.

The video features footage of sisters talking about what Vatican II said about consecrated life, and how that vision is being lived out today by American religious sisters.

In the video, the sisters from the CMSWR articulate how their perspective is in keeping with the vision set forth by Vatican II, suggesting that its commitment to a more visibly countercultural life and ministry is what sustains its orders and attracts young women to the CMSWR communities.

This video can be viewed now without charge or obligation at: http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?SeriesID=145

Topics and sisters included in the video include:

Segment 1) Introduction: Sister Angela Mellady, O.S.F.
Segment 2) Overview: Sister Mary Nika Schaumber, R.S.M.
Segment 3) A Particular Form of Consecrated Life: Sister Mary Elizabeth Wusinich S.V.
Segment 4) The Spousal Bond: Sister Paul Jean Miller, F.S.E.
Segment 5) The Threefold Response of The Vows: Sister Mary Dominic Pitts, O.P.
Segment 6) Communion in Community: Sister Mary Prudence Allen, R.S.M.,
Segment 7) Evangelical Mission: Sister Maximilia Um, F.S.G.M.
Segment 8) Conclusion: Sister Mary Judith O’Brien, R.S.M.
Segment 9) Closing Remarks: Sister Angela Mellady, O.S.F.

This video is posted in “The Call” section of CatholicTV.com. CatholicTV airs a special programming block named The Call, which features videos about vocations and particular religious orders. More information is available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=145

National Vocation Awareness Week To Be Celebrated on CatholicTV With Special Guests and Programming

During the week of January 10-16th, CatholicTV will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week with special programming including the appearance of Vocations Directors and promoters on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” and special programming promoting vocations.

On January 8th, Father Jack Butler, S.J., Director of Vocations for the New England Province of Jesuits will appear on the live program “This is the Day” at 10:30AM Eastern.

On January 12th, Brother Tony Stephens, C.P.M,Vocation Director of the Fathers of Mercy will appear on the live program “This is the Day” at 10:30AM Eastern.

On January 15th, Brothers Jewel and Joseph Aytona, C.P.M., co-founders of Family Vocation Ministries, will appear on “This is the Day” also at 10:30AM Eastern.

Jerry Usher, the founder of Vocation Boom! was interviewed on “This is the Day” on January 1st regarding the vocations initiative. His interview can be seen now at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72&videoID=158

Steve and Joni Abdalla, the creators of dolls which are meant to promote openness to vocations, were also interviewed on “This is the Day” on January 5th. Their interview is viewable at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72&videoID=45

Each week, CatholicTV promotes Catholic vocations through a special television programming block called “The Call”. “The Call” highlights various religious orders and explores all church vocations including consecrated life and marriage. “The Call” airs each week at the following times (Eastern): Tuesday, 12:30 PM; Wednesday 6:00 AM; Friday 9:00AM; Sunday 11:30PM

During the week of January 10-16th , a program focusing on the vocation of the priesthood will air during “The Call” programming block.

More information on “The Call” is available at: http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=145

The observance of National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) began in 1976 when the Bishops’ Conference designated the 28th Sunday of the year as the beginning of NVAW. In 1997 this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord since his baptism initiated his public ministry.