andibc Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 (edited) [quote]"Hi, I'm [name] and I met two of the sisters from your order this summer, got an information packet from your order in the mail after to writing to one of said sisters, and am planning on coming to your discernment retreat in May."[/quote] That's perfect! Do you have any questions? You could ask one, or you could just say you're really excited about the retreat. They get many emails, so Sr. Joseph Andrew has an assistant or two (other sisters) who will write you back. I knew a 16 year old who was just in your shoes a few years ago and remember the courage it took to write that first email. Just go ahead and be yourself! Edited September 6, 2012 by andibc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil'Monster Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 [quote name='vee8' timestamp='1346887498' post='2479096'] Our next young women's discernment retreat will be held[b] November 10-11, 2012[/b] in Ann Arbor, Michigan. GO TO THAT!!! [/quote] You sound like Krissy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Where do you think all those women who enter at 18/19 come from? Go ahead email and don't be afraid to send emails every once and a while. If you have a question ask it. I started contacting communities before I was even Catholic! Don't feel awkward! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaberry Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 (edited) I know there was a 16 year old who entered the Dominicans-not saying that is your path, but you should definitely contact them! Are you the type of person who needs deadlines? I could help you with that. Edited September 6, 2012 by emmaberry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscerningCatholic Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 [quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1346910814' post='2479320'] I know there was a 16 year old who entered the Dominicans-not saying that is your path, but you should definitely contact them! Are you the type of person who needs deadlines? I could help you with that. [/quote] I saw about that 16 year old who entered!!! That was really cool! And what do you mean by deadlines...? Like a day when I should email them? I just feel like I'm doing this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantellata Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Email them today. Period. Start with a brief hello and let the Sister who you speak to start from there. This is not a job application and your feelings and wordings are more normal than you know. Plus... entering at 17 is no biggie for the DSMME (provided the girl has a genuine vocation and is mature and ready to do so) so writing at 16 just makes sense. Once again - pray to the holy Spirit - write the short email - [b]hit send[/b] . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeteorShower Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 As everyone else is saying, I think that you should definitely email them! I first contacted the DSMMEs back when I was 16, even though I have no intention of entering any time soon - which they are pretty much aware of - as I live in Canada and have no money, so I probably won't be able to even consider entering for at least a decade. I was signed up for the retreat last February, but had to back out due to financial constraints. They were very understanding about this. Despite all this, they were extremely encouraging and supportive, and I am so glad that I did end up contacting them. It wasn't Sister Joseph Andrew who replied to my email - I think it was Sister John Mary, if I remember correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeniJesuAmorMi Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 I remember when I first started contacting communities I was interested in when I started discerning; it was so exciting to hear back from them! I think it would be the same for you also. ... Then you could stay in contact with them, and she'll most likely have great advise for you and will help encourage you. (There's always that first step to take. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clare~Therese Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Don't be afraid--just email them, and don't worry about sounding stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 I forgot to mention something. I sent an email to the Franciscan Brothers Minor in January, which is of course nine months ago. I was just a few months into fifteen, and Brother Fidelis Maria knew that since I said so in my email. Ever since then he has called [i]me [/i]about every month to check up on me and my discernment. These calls are never initiated by me, always him. If Brother Fidelis Maria is willing to call a fifteen-year old every month to check up on his discernment, why do you think a few email interactions would be too much for the Sisters you really like? Just email them, tell them about yourself like your name, how old you are, where you are from, how many are in your family, etc, and then ask them the questions you have, and add anything else you think is appropriate or that they ask you about. They may ask you questions like what your hobbies are. Brother Fidelis Maria asked me about my birth placement in my family (Youngest, if you are curious) to what my exact birthday is. They want to get to know you, so do not be afraid about telling them anything or adding too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan Marie Wandel Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Just be yourself and if you have questions don't be afraid to ask Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaberry Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 [quote name='DiscerningCatholic' timestamp='1346934840' post='2479357'] And what do you mean by deadlines...? Like a day when I should email them? I just feel like I'm doing this... [/quote] No silly! I meant that, if you want to email them soon, like today or tomorrow, but find yourself hesitant or afraid, we VSers will be happy to hound you until you do it! ...Only if you want, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscerningCatholic Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 I am planning on writing to them tomorrow (I have to go to bed soon and can't function this late at night). Unfortunately, I realized that I don't know the address to which I should send the email. Stupid, stupid, stupid... Does anyone know what it is??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantellata Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 You can find it on their website: www.sistersofmary.org/index.php .... vocations@sistersofmary.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 (edited) Sr. Incarnata (formerly Sister Anna) who is a new novice with the DSMME's, entered when she was 17 (or perhaps just 18). (I assume that she had graduated from high school, but perhaps her birthday is later in the year.) If she entered at age 17, Sister Incarnata must have started talking to the DSMME's before she graduated high school. If you feel called to a vocation right out of high school, how are you going to know the DSMME's are the right Community for you if you don't start talking with them? Edited September 7, 2012 by IgnatiusofLoyola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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