BY ANASTASIA BUSIEK
EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM KELSEY GALLERY MCMANUS’S “CALL OF THE OPEN ROAD” JOURNAL
March 6, 2007We had dinner with Sr. Una tonight. Her message is clear and simple—love and be present. She is truly living a life of God... I feel called to do something more, something special. Sr. Una has a gift. She is truly an inspiration. She is defying social norms through her life as a Sister and is clearly modeling the way as Jesus did. She said she did not want to be “holy” but “wholesome.” “Listen to your heart and don’t take no for an answer... ” |
I feel called to do something more, something special. Sr. Una has a gift. She is truly an inspiration. She is defying social norms through her life as a Sister and is clearly modeling the way as Jesus did. She said she did not want to be “holy” but “wholesome.” “Listen to your heart and don’t take no for an answer... ”
What do the vice president of global compliance for the Gap, an Episcopal priest, the founder of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network), a Harvard University track coach, and a mezzo-soprano in the New York Opera have in common?A lot more than you might think—all followed their callings to be who they are today, and all were interviewed by Loyola students on a recent Alternative Break Immersion (ABI) program, “The Call of the Open Road.”
The program was modeled on the popular PBS series RoadTrip Nation, in which students and recent college grads travel across the country to interview people and ask questions about how they discovered their callings. Jennifer Haworth, PhD, associate vice president of mission and executive director of Evoke, Loyola’s vocational discernment program, and Joe Earley, associate director of Evoke, told RoadTrip Nation representatives that they were thinking of leading a Loyola ABI modeled after RoadTrip Nation. PBS generously volunteered to go along and record the whole experience.
March 7 2007We met with Linda Sax today; she was Kate’s interview. She seemed to be going through a transition period in her own life. I think our conversation was helpful for her. She had an incredible self-awareness from her own self-reflection. . . . We sang camp songs in the car tonight. We are at the light-house now and we are tired. I am so thankful for this experience. |
Of the students in Evoke’s year-long vocation exploration program, OnCall, 10 signed up to go along for the ride. They were asked to identify people whose careers and lives they admired, and encouraged to contact them to set up interviews. Somewhat miraculously, all 10 students identified people who could be found in California, New York, or Boston and all managed to get interviews.
Over spring break, half the group headed for California, the other half to the east coast, both accompanied by representatives from RoadTrip Nation. Thus began an intense week of interviews and reflection. Each student had the opportunity to ask the people they chose about their lives and callings in a group setting.
“Some of the students were nervous at first, but by the end of the trip, their faces were lit up. They were on fire; they were inspired,” says Haworth. Some were reaffirmed in their fields of study and professional aspirations. Others realized that their paths might lead them in different directions than they’d previously thought. Still others came to understand that it’s all right not to know, and to keep searching until they find their callings.
There were even a few surprises along the way. One student chose to interview Ben Polonge, a psychologist in New York City. When asked why he practiced psychology, Polonge replied, “I just love it and really enjoy my work. Of course, this is just something I do on the weekends. During the week, I’m the Phantom of the Opera in Jersey City.”
March 8 2007Today was great. This morning the ocean and cliffs of the lighthouse hostel are beautiful. We met with a female Episcopalian priest and professor of homiletics today. Her interview was moving. She is so real and authentic that she demands that same authenticity from others. I had my interview with the VP of Social Responsibility at Gap Inc. . . . He was so passionate about his teams, the things and projects they are working on, and the difference they are making. . . He had a deep passion for his work and I want to know where that comes from... Jennifer bet me I couldn’t not talk until we got to Valerie’s house. So I did not talk for about an hour. It was extremely challenging. Jennifer owes me 20. |
Now that they’ve returned to campus, participants’ enthusiasm for the experience remains strong.
Says junior nursing major Katie Parziale, “I have not stopped thinking about the trip since I’ve returned. I learned that you can do what you are passionate about and that there is support out there to help you get there. I learned that if you dedicate your life to serving others, whether as a nurse in the Congo or directing choreography for a Broadway show, you will lead a fulfilling life.”
All participants acknowledge the opportunity to so thoroughly explore their callings as a privilege. “I know my grandparents and parents didn’t have as much freedom as I do to pick pretty much any career I want,” says Lauren Springstroh (Undecided ’09).
"My vocational and career choices...will always be about what I can do that will best help others." |
| –Lauren Springstroh (Undecided ’09) |
As those who participated in the trip continue to reflect and begin to act on the insights they uncovered, they encourage others to think about their callings and to look for fulfillment through vocation. Says Kelsey Gallery McManus (Undecided ’09), “The road ahead is challenging, rigorous, exciting, and exhausting, and will ask you for things you might not think you have, but it is going to places greater than you’ve ever imagined.“
Whatever lies ahead, these students are going to hit the ground running.
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This week I felt so comfortable with who I am—at peace with it. I feel so connected, so affirmed, so myself. . . I know God is with me and I have everything I need. |