With the Church entering into a new year this Sunday, the first day of Advent, the National Office for Vocation will upload a video reflection each week focusing on a different state of life that God can call individuals to, as well as reflecting on the weekly Sunday Gospel.

The pandemic has been tough in our lives – staying at home, limiting contact with friends and family, and even our Churches shutting for public acts of worship; but our spiritual life, discipleship and discernment should never stop.

The short reflections include personal testimonies from the following people and states of life:

Advent Week 1: Teresa Carvalho – Living the single state of life

Advent Week 2: Hannah Vaughan-Spruce – Living life as a Consecrated Virgin

Advent Week 3: Fr Joe Owusu-Ansah – Priesthood

Advent Week 4: Br Joseph Bailham OP – Religious Life

Feast of the Holy Family: Nick and Fiona Whitehead – Marriage and Family Life

Advent Week 1:

Teresa Carvalho – Living the single state of life

Teresa reflects on the first week of Advent and her own state of life, living as a single person.

“I help people become friends with Jesus.”

Advent Week 2:

Hannah Vaughan-Spruce – Living life as a consecrated virgin

Hannah reflects on the second week of Advent and her own state of life, living as a consecrated virgin.

“I knew from the age of 17 that Jesus was calling me to belong to Him in a special way.”

Advent Week 3:

Fr Joseph Owusu-Ansah – Priesthood

Fr Joseph reflects on the third week of Advent and his own state of life, living as a diocesan priest.

“I see lives transformed in my ministry as a priest; I see miracles when I hear confession.”

Advent Week 4:

Br. Joseph Bailham O.P. – Religious Life 

Br. Joseph reflects on the fourth week of Advent and his own state of life, living as a Dominican.

“The ongoing pandemic has prompted many people to look more closely at their lives and question what has been at the centre of their lives?”

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