The People of Godneed many typesof ministries, andreligious women andmen can respond withgreat freedom andcreativity accordingto their abilities.
“
BROTHER JOHN Skrodinsky, S. T.
(left) belongs to the MissionaryServants of the Most Holy Trinity.
He is also a lawyer who hasworked in immigration law. He ispictured here talking about hislegal work with one of the men information with his community.
COUR TESY OF MISSIONAR Y SERVANTS OF THE MOST HOL Y TRINITY
ment process by narrowing the fieldof congregations you may want toconsider.
Challenges and opportunities
Incorporating new members withprofessional training can have special challenges for religious communities. Educational debt is anissue that congregations are tryingto help candidates address (see thebox opposite on page 28). Anotherchallenge can be negotiating thedemands of a career or trainingprogram within the structures offormation for religious life.
In some ways it is important to
discover early in the discernment
process whether your professional
commitment blends well with the
life of the congregation. During the
time of considering and then begin-
ning religious life, many communi-
ties negotiate the give-and-take of
religious life and professional work.
In my case the three years of medicalresidency training were ideal for anextended candidacy period—whenthose joining religious communitiescan observe and participate in religious life from the inside—allowingfor nights on call at the hospital anda more gradual introduction to lifein community.
Time to take the plunge
At some point, however, the seri-
ousness and requirements of your
Even communities with a very
specific focus, like nursing the
elderly, service to immigrants, or
education, can many times incor-
porate persons with a breadth of
professional training and skills. The
sense of a call to serve in a particular
profession can help in the discern
