New vocation director moves to Manhattan
August 12, 2009 by Sarah Jenkins
As Sister Beverly Carlin moves into her new role as vocation director for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, she also hopes to move the definition of “vocation” beyond its usual link to the word “religious.”
“I see ‘vocation’ as an invitation from God, calling everyone to some kind of vocation,” Sister Beverly explains. “It’s being who God wants us to be — whether we’re married, single, in religious life, in church or not.”
That is the inclusive message Sister Beverly takes with her as she moves to a new home — and her new ministry — in Manhattan, Kan., where the congregation has historically had a strong presence.
Sister Beverly succeeds Sister Anna Marie Broxterman, who had served as vocation director for 18 years. Sister Anna Marie was elected to the sisters’ Leadership Council last year, and asked the congregation to appoint a successor. In appointing Sister Beverly to the duties, the Council also created a three-person “vocation team” to support her, and offer assistance and feedback whenever she needs it.
Sister Anna Marie is a member of that team, along with Sisters Janet Lander and Jean Rosemarynoski, all of whom live in Concordia.
Sister Beverly has moved the vocation office from Topeka to Manhattan, to be a part of the Salina Diocese and to be able to coordinate her work with that of Father Jarett Konrade, the diocesan vocation director. She also notes the vibrant program that operates at St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center in Manhattan, and hopes she will be able to volunteer there.
Sister Beverly entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 2000, and has served for the past three years as religious education director and RCIA coordinator for St. Matthew Parish in Topeka. A native of Osborne, Kan., she is a graduate of Marymount College with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and general psychology.
This is a lovely presentation of you and your ministry, Bev. I also appreciated reading your focus in CONNECTIONS. I pray for you and wish you great joy as you enter vocation ministry. And, may you dance!
Congratulations, Sr. Bev! You bring the ray of God’s shining love into the hearts of every person you meet. Your response to God’s call and invitation to be a Sister of St. Joseph radiates in and through you. Thanks for being there for all of us.
Sr. Beth
Bev,
Congratulations! I am delighted that you have accepted this ministry to promote the meaning of “call” and “vocation”. Be assured of my prayerful support. Pat
Thanks, Bev, for accepting this new role. You do a great job of being present to folks so I know you’ll be great as a vocation director. Keep up the love and laughter so characteristic of your presence. Blessings! Sylvia
Bev is certainly a natural for vocation director, she never meets a strange! Thanks for accepting the position Bev. And thanks Anna Marie for 18 years of service to the community, you have done a wonderful. I am sure the committee will have lots of things plan to keep up in touch with God’s people and aware of God’s call to all of us.
May you go forward in Joy, Peace, knowing as you well said, we each have a vocation, and the discovery is so individual and unique. Blessings Anne m. By the way I saw the 2 lovely chairs being loaded into the back seat of the car, and suggested the poverty would be more visual and authentic if you used crates to sit on, (Just a suggestion, but, it might not protray the message of joyously going forth.)
Bev, thanks for taking this on. The world is lucky to have you in this role. You are such a great people person! You go, girl.
Bev, sleeves rolled up; presence to the dear neighbor; unioning. That’s us!
Acatamiento!
Blessings and thanks!
Loretta