Toronto: Newman Centre Hosts Virtual Vocations Fair

By Fr. Jim Berning, SDB

For the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus, The Newman Centre in Toronto, ON hosted a Virtual Vocations Fair for both high school and university aged youth. Overall, 150 participants joined in this collaborative effort between the Newman Centre, as well as 10 religious institutes, NET ministries, and the Archdiocese of Toronto.

The structure of the day consisted of presentations, testimonies, breakout rooms, and a send-off Mass with Cardinal Thomas Collins. Both high school and university youth participated in the Salesian breakout room. The presentations offered some applicable points for our vocation and the vocational relationship we share with the young. For instance, the call of Jeremiah was an arduous one in holding Jerusalem accountable for its idolatrous behavior (Jer. 2). For a mere youth, this task was unsurmountable; however, God reassured Jeremiah to not be afraid—that God would be with him. In our 11th month of weathering the pandemic, we see how young peoples’ struggles are evident, especially concerning social isolation. They need encouragement to help them hold the course, because God will be with them, and to know God as a steadfast friend who “remains with them wherever they go” is paramount (Joshua 1:9). A faithful friend doesn’t leave someone to face their struggles alone. If young people are to be given the opportunity to dream beyond the strife of being in solitary confinement during the pandemic, they need reassuring models that bring them to see God as the One who sides with them through it all.

Vocation not only requires reassurance, but it also requires giving up something to grow and bear fruit. In many ways, the pandemic is a long-winded shake-up that calls on us to view life through God’s perspective, not our own. Being shaken affords us the opportunity to shed off a layer here or there that limits our freedom. Perhaps this includes hunkering down with some good literature in place of social media, making a phone call instead of texting, or praying “with” someone rather than praying “for” someone. These are some of many opportune ways to shed off a layer.

Two saints set high standards on the way in which we are to pursue vocation. First, St. John Paul II understood vocation as both “gift and mystery.” The notion of gift leads us to be fulfilled, while the notion of mystery is something beyond us, which never grows old. Second, St. Augustine holds that the conspicuous nature of vocation is that “seeking God offers us the greatest adventure, while finding God brings us to the greatest achievement.” Such vocation prerogatives are prescriptions for life during the pandemic.