The Shalom Catholic Community is a family, a Vocation within the Church, which arose from a burning desire to evangelize all people, especially the youth, who are the prime focus of our hearts and mission. We were invited by God to be disciples and ministers of His Peace in the world. We experience and proclaim ‘Peace’, a reality that goes far beyond the absence of conflict. Peace is the very Person of Jesus Christ.
The Shalom Vocational Discernment is for those who wish to discover their vocation and deepen their relationship with the Risen Christ who passed through the Cross. The vocational discernment process lasts for a minimum of one year, and consists of monthly retreat meetings and monthly accompaniment with a member of the Community who, enlightened by the will of God, will help the one discerning to discover their own vocation.
In this journey, the first step is to participate in the Open Vocacional Discernment Retreat, which will take place in the Boston mission on January 28th, starting at 12 pm and ending with Mass at 5:30 pm. After the meeting, those who would like to continue with the vocational discernment process will have a Vocational Counseling meeting with a missionary from the Community who will help them to discern whether it is the right time to take this step.
The vocational discernment retreats will take place once a month, and those who are discerning will have the support of a vocational accompanier and a prayer book with guidelines to help them in their personal prayer. As part of the process, the vocational candidates will also participate in two weekend-long retreats during the year to further their discernment.
King of my story, my Beloved, I say yes to Your call is the theme of the Shalom Vocational Journey for 2024. This year’s theme is a reference to the icon that was created for the 40th anniversary of the Shalom Community, called “Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom who is coming.”
Victor Frota, the vocations coordinator for the Community, said that one of the inspirations that God revealed during the prayer to discern this year’s theme was an image of Jesus “serving” His heart. “God is a king who serves us, who stoops down to serve us,” he says. Victor explained that each part of the theme statement has a meaning which is based on the inspirations that were revealed by God during the prayer that took place with the Vocations Ministry.
King of my story refers to the lordship of Jesus and the testimony that he calls each vocational candidate to give based on their encounter with Him; My Beloved refers to spousality, which is at the heart of our relationship with God, and is the attractive and conquering force that Jesus exerts in the soul of each vocational candidate. I say yes to Your call refers to the vocational candidate’s response to this attraction of Jesus.
Event: Shalom Open Vocational Discernment Retreat
Date: January 28, 2024
Time: 12 pm (ends with Mass at 5:30 pm)
Place: Shalom Boston (42 Sciarappa St., Cambridge, MA 02141)
Cost: Free
Open to all!
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For inquiries, information, and updates:
– Contact (857) 500-9750
– Email: apostolicboston@comshalom.org
– Instagram: shalom.boston
– Facebook: Shalom Boston
– Website: comshalom.org/boston