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

Navigating Vocation Discernment – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing

Fr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss discerning a vocation to the Catholic priesthood, drawing lessons from the teachings of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. They discuss the importance of encountering Christ personally, desiring what God desires, and ultimately, trusting in God’s plan. Trust, they explain, is foundational to the discernment process, encompassing elements of faith, love, and hope.

Trust in God requires dependence on Him, especially during life’s storms and uncertainties. Exploring the biblical story of Peter walking on water as an allegory for trust, highlighting how Peter’s fear arose when he took his eyes off Jesus and how it related to the need to keep focused on Christ amid life’s challenges, understanding that He is always present to guide and support.

Additionally, they address common fears and doubts that may arise during discernment, urging listeners to bring these concerns to God and trust in His provision. They encourage a mindset of gratitude and openness to God’s leading, acknowledging that the discernment journey is a process that unfolds gradually, with each step guided by God’s hand.





Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:



* Encountering Christ Personally: How have you personally encountered Christ in your life, and how has this encounter influenced your understanding of your vocation journey?

* Learning to Desire What God Desires: Reflect on your deepest desires. Do they align with what you believe God desires for you? How can you cultivate a greater alignment between your desires and God’s will?

* Trusting in God’s Plan: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God’s plan? How can you deepen your trust in Him, especially during times of uncertainty or difficulty?

* Dependence on God: Consider moments when you have felt most dependent on God. How did He provide for you during those times, and how did it impact your relationship with Him?

* Keeping Focus on Christ: Reflect on instances when you’ve allowed fear or distractions to take your focus away from Christ. What steps can you take to keep your eyes fixed on Him, especially during challenging circumstances?

* Gratitude and Openness: How can you cultivate a spirit of gratitude in your discernment journey, even amidst doubts or fears? How does gratitude help to foster openness to God’s will?

* Trusting in God’s Timing: Are there areas in your life where you feel rushed or anxious about discerning God’s will? How can you surrender these concerns and trust in God’s timing?

* Prayer and Surrender: Take time to pray and surrender your fears, doubts, and desires to God. How does this act of surrender deepen your trust in His guidance and provision?





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

Trusting in God’s Goodness – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing

Fr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss the importance of prayer, sacraments, and living a virtuous life in discerning one’s vocation; going into the idea of desiring what God desires for us, highlighting the need to overcome fear and trust in God’s goodness.

Drawing from biblical examples like Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, they underscore the importance of openness to God’s will and the journey of faith. They also discuss the role of family dynamics in shaping one’s openness to God’s plan, cautioning against isolation and the value of healthy relationships. The episode concludes with reflections on trusting in God’s guidance and seeking His will with a sincere heart.





Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:



* Trusting in God’s Goodness: Do you trust that God always wants what is best for you?

* Overcoming Fear: Where do you begin to become afraid of giving God permission to lead you?

* Surrendering to God’s Will: When do you begin to try to manipulate God or want what you think will make you happy?

* Affirming God’s Leadership: How can you cultivate a mindset of continually saying to yourself, “Father, I give you permission to lead me”?

* Developing Trust: How can you deepen your trust in God’s goodness and His plans for your life?

* Family Influence: Reflect on the impact of your family dynamics on your openness to God’s will.

*  Building Healthy Relationships: In what ways can you nurture spiritually healthy relationships and discern which relationships lead you closer to God?

* Seeking God’s Will: How can you actively seek God’s will with a sincere heart, ready to receive His guidance?





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

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