Fr. Paul Hoesing - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts Discerning Hearts

It’s all about relationship.  What to do now?

1. Go to Mass, if possible, daily Mass

2. The sacrament of confession

3. Daily Prayer

4.  Talk to a priest

5.  Read the Gospels

6.  Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

7.  Eucharistic adoration

8.  Live a life of virtue

9.  Spiritual reading

10.  Hang around good people



 

 

Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide,” published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.

Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as Dean of Seminarians & Director of Human Formation

 

The Sixth Spiritual Lesson: “God does not reveal himself through fear, pressure or confusion. This where the spirit against Christ reveals himself.”

Questions: What are your ideas and images of God the Father and how do they differ from what Jesus teaches us about the Father? Do you see the Father as someone who pressures you to do things? Where does fear drive your relationship with the Father? Recall your latest experience of peace, stillness, clarity, and gratitude in God and believe that that is how the Father draws you?

The Seventh Spiritual Lesson: God’s will is found in your will when you are in Christ. “God’s will, His desire for you, is not out there somewhere! It is found in your own desire when you are in Christ! That is the will of God for you!”

Questions: Does the thought of the priesthood come into your thoughts, feelings and desires when you are experiencing the peaceful presence of God?

Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide,” published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.

 

Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as Dean of Seminarians & Director of Human Formation

 

 

The Fourth Spiritual Lesson: It Takes Time. “The Father simply wants you to trust him enough to take the next step, not the 10th or 20th step.  He wants you to focus on going from A to B, not ongoing from A to Z.  When you take that step, Jesus will reveal the next one.”

Questions: What is the next step God is asking of you?  Are you afraid to take it? If you are, ask him into the situation or reality that causes you fear.  Are you focusing too far down the road?

The Fifth Spiritual Lesson: Your Peace is Found in Jesus. “Christ’s presence is enjoyable; it gives us peace, stillness, clarity, and gratitude.  Our job is to desire it.”

Questions: Where do you experience peace, stillness, clarity or gratitude in God?  Wherever that is happening in your life, you need to do two things: (1) realize that this is the presence of Christ and ; (2) desire it throughout your day…above all thins.  Relish his presence, enjoy his presence, long for his presence, keep coming back to his presence, adore his presence and express gratitude for his presence.

 

Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.

Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as Dean of Seminarians & Director of Human Formation

 

Is Jesus Calling? A Spiritual Guide to Discerning Your Vocational Call with Fr. Paul Hoesing – episode 3

The Third Spiritual Lesson: Trust God. “When the thought of your vocation comes into your mind and heart, if you keep it to yourself in your mind, dwelling on it over and over trying to figure it out or trying to control it or  trying to get rid of it, then you will be choosing not to trust.”

Questions: Where are the particular classrooms in the general school of dependence where you are being invited to trust in God?  What are the storms in your life that make your mind race causing confusion in you?  Jesus wants do to something for you there. Focus him. Bring it to him. Desire his love in it.

Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.

Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as Dean of Seminarians & Director of Human Formation

      





 

 

 

 

Is Jesus Calling? A Spiritual Guide to Discerning Your Vocational Call with Fr. Paul Hoesing – episode 2: The First Spiritual Lesson:  You Must Follow Christ.  “Discovering one’s vocation is not a navel-gazing, self-focused, psychological exercise.   It’s not about a man figuring something out.  It is not about solving a confusing puzzle.”

Questions: Where have you encountered Christ?  Where do you experience his loving presence now for you?   Where do you feel consciously blessed and grateful for what God has done for you?

The Second Spiritual Lesson: Learn to desire what God desires for you. “All you need is to desire whatever God may desire for you. Remaining true to this desire opens your heart to receive what God wants for you. Then, God Himself will take care of you.”

Questions: Do you trust that God always wants what is best for you? Where do you begin to become afraid of giving God permission to lead you? When do you begin to try to manipulate God to want what you think will make you happy? When that happens, simply say over and over again inside of yourself to the Father, ‘Father, I give you permission to lead me!’ Or ‘Father, I desire your goodness to me.’ Or, ‘Father, I trust you’”

Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.

 

Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as Dean of Seminarians & Director of Human Formation

      

  

 

 

 

Hearing God’s Voice – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing

Fr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss the process of discernment, particularly in the context of vocational calling, with a focus on priesthood but applicable to all vocations, using the booklet “Is Jesus Calling You to Be a Catholic Priest?” authored by Father Tom Richter.

Discernment involves more than decision-making; it’s about listening attentively to God’s voice amidst the noise of the world, the devil, and our own egos. Encountering Christ personally, especially through prayer and the sacraments, is the foundation of discernment.

Fr. Hoesing shares anecdotes and insights, such as the distinction between the voices of God and those of the world, and the significance of feelings of blessing and gratitude as indicators of God’s presence.





Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:



* Encounter with Christ: Where have you encountered Christ in your life, and what impact has that encounter had on you?

* Gratitude and Blessings: Can you identify specific instances where you’ve felt blessed and grateful for God’s actions in your life?

* Discerning God’s Voice: How do you distinguish between the voice of God and other competing voices, such as those of the world, the devil, and your own ego?

* Personal Encounter with Christ: In what ways do you currently cultivate a personal encounter with Christ through prayer and the sacraments?

* Embracing God’s Call: How do you respond to the call of God in your life, whether it be towards priesthood, religious life, marriage, or another vocation?

* Seeking Guidance and Blessing: How can you seek guidance from God as you navigate your discernment journey





Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic  Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.

Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as President Rector