Worship quiz that I took...

Intellectual

23

Contemplative

25

Enthusiast

24

Caregiver

23

Activist

15

Ascetic

28

Traditionalist

26

Sensate

23

Naturalist

25



Intellectual - Loving God with the Mind:These Christians live in the world of concepts. They may feel closest to God when they first understand something new about Him.

Contemplative - Loving God through Adoration:These Christians seek to love God with the purest, deepest, and brightest love imaginable. They want nothing more than some privacy and quiet to gaze upon the face of their heavenly Lover and give all of themselves to God.

Enthusiast - Loving God with Mystery & Celebration:Excitement and mystery in worship is the spiritual lifeblood of enthusiasts. They are inspired by joyful celebration; cheerleaders for God and the Christian life. They don't want to just know concepts, but to experience them, to feel them, and to be moved by them. They like to let go and experience God on the precipice of excitement and awe.

Caregiver - Loving God by Loving Others:Caregivers serve God by serving others. They often claim to see Christ in the poor and needy, and their faith is built up by interacting with other people. Caring for others recharges a caregiver's batteries.

Activist - Loving God Through Confrontation:These Christians define worship as standing against evil and calling sinners to repentance. They are energized more by interaction with others, even in conflict, than by being alone or in small groups. Activists are spiritually nourished through the battle.

Ascetic - Loving God in Solitude and Simplicity:Ascetics want nothing more than to be left alone in prayer. Let there be nothing to distract them--no pictures, no loud music--and leave them alone to pray in silence and simplicity.

Traditionalist - Loving God Through Ritual and Symbol:Traditionalists are fed by what are often termed the historic dimensions of faith: rituals, symbols, sacraments, and sacrifice. They tend to have a disciplined life of faith and have a need for ritual and structure.

Sensate - Loving God with the Senses:Sensate Christians want to be lost in the awe, beauty, and splendor of God. They are drawn particularly to the liturgical, the majestic, the grand. They want to be filled with sights, sounds, and smells that overwhelm them. The five senses are God's most effective inroad to their hearts.

Naturalist - Loving God Out of Doors:The naturalist seeks to leave the formal architecture and the padded pews to enter an entirely new "cathedral", a place that God himself has built: the out-of-doors.



Fits me pretty well I'd say!

One area of life that the Story looks at is our RELATIONSHIPS. There are two themes that are used to discuss relationships, one looking at individual one-on-one relationships, and the other addressing relationships within a group. You scored very high in the INTER-PERSONAL theme that describes a person's tendency for developing trusting, one-to-one relationships. Those who are strong in this theme are perceived as friendly and approachable. They can instinctively recognize and appreciate the uniqueness of each relationship, and they affirm the goodness they see in others. Some qualities that you may possess include: a respect for each person as an individual; a desire to get to know people in order to be helpful to them; a non-judgmental stance in relationships; an ability to support others on an emotional level, an ability to build friendship in a short period of time.Alyssa, another area the Story looks at is our SPIRITUALITY, how our experience of being in relationship with God may affect our lives. This area of spirituality is also divided into two areas, -- Belief and Mission. You scored well in the BELIEF theme, which describes the person’s sense of being in relationship with God and how that personal relationship affects their daily living. Those very high in this theme, as you are, readily recognize God's presence in a variety of settings, especially in relationships with other people. They find themselves strengthened by times of prayer and personal reflection. God and their faith are priorities for them. I would suspect that much of your life is centered on Christ and the values of God’s reign. You likely: are attuned to the movements of God; have a sense of being connected to others through their spirituality; find your prayer giving perspective to life; and understand that God is our strength.You scored very well in the MISSION theme, which describes the person’s ability to minister and help others in a religious context. Those very high in this theme have a sense of being a disciple of Jesus and carrying on his work. They put their faith into action in meaningful ways. They receive satisfaction and joy from seeing other people's lives touched by their service to them. They see themselves and allow themselves to be instruments of God's love and peace. Some of these characteristics will likely apply to you: you enjoy making a difference in the world for God; you show a commitment and dedication to the Church; you share a love with others that is beyond your own; discussing religious issues comes naturally for you; you sense Jesus is present when you show compassion to others.Finally, the Story looks at some issues of LIFESTYLE, and how a person might be attracted to religious values in his or her life. You scored well in this Lifestyle theme. People high in this theme generally see importance in giving one's life for something larger than oneself to make a significant difference in the world. They enjoy the connections with others in a religious context. When this theme is very high, as it was for you, the person has the potential for enhancing community. It may indicate how satisfying life as a religious might be. Stability, commitment, and loyalty are probably highly valued in your life. Typically a very high score in this area indicates that: belonging to a community (of friends) is important to you; you want people to feel comfortable and welcomed around others; people are much more important to you than things; simplicity in life is something you strive for; and you like being identified as a ’good person’ -- as honest, caring, and committed.Alyssa, these results would be more refined and accurate with a personal interview, but I hope they are helpful to you in your discernment. Whatever path you choose, though, please use these talents for the good of others and the Church. They are not yours to keep.Alyssa, best wishes as you consider your future. I will remember you in prayer today!
Father John Regan
Joliet Diocese Vocation
Directorfrjohnr@aol.com
www.vocations.com

“If God be your partner, make your plans LARGE.”

Truly...an indication or sign I think

So as I prepare for a retreat.....I have been praying for it and asking that the Lord send me a sign or a clear indication of which community He is calling me to....and I think slowly He is doing that and one happened this morning that I'd like to share. Keeping in mind that I'm praying 3 novenas....the first one was to St. Anthony of Padua (my favorite saint), now I'm on a novena to St. Dominic, and the last one will end the first day of the retreat...and that will be to St. Therese. So ...St. Anthony and St. Dominic I truly believe have been answering my novena.

I was talking with a friend of mine who is applying for the seminary this Fall in my hometown diocese and we were talking about religious vocations and the priesthood and I told him that I was discerning with two communities trying to figure out which one the Lord is calling me to and I told him that I was going on a retreat with the other community soon. (We had this discussion last night and I told him to check out the community's website) I wish not to disclose the community at this time for personal reasons...sorry! But I promise I will let you know as soon as I can, just keep me in prayer! And so....I had left my msn messenger on and came to it this morning and his response to having visited the website was:

i gotta tell ya it looks awsome. an order that has a marian devotion and that of the eucharist... i'm not sure there could be anything better.

And I just kind of paused....looked at the message again making sure that I had read it right... Sure enough! Why do I think this is a clear indication or sign from God...because the two things that hit me the deepest in my heart...for this one community....was Marian devotion....and that of the Eucharist!!!!!!! Those TWO things....Might I say...THANK YOU JESUS?! What do ya'll think? The other community I'm discerning with..doesn't have a daily *consecration* to Mary......therefore...that is why I love that the other community has a daily consecration prayer they say to Mary everyday!
I just wanted to share this because it brings great tears of joy and happiness into my heart. Please pray for my vocation...as I too pray for you all everyday. I will be on a silent retreat this weekend (not the retreat that I'm waiting for with the other community), but will spend this time in quiet Adoration with the Lord.

May God Bless You all,
Ali

P.S. Might I add.....that it is this communities 10th ANNIVESARY TODAY ...is that not even more of a sign from the good Lord Jesus Christ!!!!????

The Beauty of God's Grace

So I work at a daycare with 3-6 year olds in the morning hours and then in the afternoon its anywhere from pre kingergarten to 6th grade. Anyways...there is this one girl that really just inspires me of how well she behaves and how mature she is for her age being a 3rd grader.

So we sat down and we colored together...we were coloring Valentine's pictures. We started to talk...and the first thing she said was...you know I just never thought in the beginning that I would be friends with you since you are a *staff* member so to say.....but I'm glad that we are friends. I really like you. (I really didn't know how to respond to that, but it was so beautiful.) Then we just continued talking while we were coloring together and she had asked me for my phone number because she wanted to know what time American Idol was starting since we both LOVE the show and it's about the only show I watch....so we kind of have that bond there. So I gave it to her. Then she asked why I wasn't staying with my parents at home and instead staying with a family and babysitting...I told her because I'm working to pay off a student loan because I'm gonna be a Sister and she was asking if I was going to be working here...and I hesistated and said that I probably wouldn't be working here because I'll be entering. Her eyes...just LIT up like you wouldn't believe! She said...YOU ARE? With a huge smile on her face, but yet a little disappointment. I said...Yes, I'm gonna be a Sister....Then she asked well how are you going to be able to keep in contact...I said well I will write to you when I'm a Sister and you can write me back....She was just booming...she was so excited. You could tell that she was inspired. Then we talked about parents and divorce...don't ask how we got on this but she was just asking tons of questions...and I felt like that *spiritual* mother...that God is so desirely calling me to...I've been doing a novena to St. Anthony of Padua...for my vocation...and the last day for the novena is today...and I'd say this is one great sign of the Lord...renewing that *call* and desire in my heart to be a spiritual mother for those children. I just pondered and said...to myself you never know...that I may be the only one for that child...to be there to listen to there heart and answer those questions. And that I may be the only one that may seem to love and care for her. Before I left she gave me two hugs. Beautiful...God's grace of how through one child...He can bring about such a beautiful soul....and connect one to another me being the spiritual mother...and bringing one closer to Jesus. Thank you Jesus....for this beautiful day of GRACE.

My prayers to you all...
God Bless You....

Ali