Inquiry Letter

Dear Father Damien--

I am fifty-one years old and I have been hearing a call to serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, for all of the years of my life. I am just now, during this Lenten season, beginning to heed the one truth I have known all of my life. I feel drawn to this life not to escape, but to enter into a world where I can do more good. I seek the solitude, peace and love of the Lord in my life everyday. I need to walk with God everyday. Prayer and meditation are an escape now, but I am longing to have that as part of my routine and not have to simply "find time" to be closer to God.

I am not trained in any meaningful vocation. I work as a public safety dispatcher at a very small town's police department. I also work for our Senior Citizen's Center, as a van driver. I volunteer at our public library and I am actively involved with the friends of the library and the library board. I am active in our parish, St Cecilia, as a lector. Our parish priest, Fr. John Coghlin, is not aware of my desire for a monastic life, but I am planning to send him, along with our Archbishop, Thomas Rodi, a copy of this letter.

I have not talked to my Father, Brother or Sisters about this decision. I have let some friends know and the love, prayers and support I am receiving, has been amazing. I am, and continue to be, so very blessed in my life and I only want to spend the rest of my life returning the prayers and support I have received from the wonderful people I have known.

My work ethic is strong. I am a faithful and reliable worker and will serve the community in any way I am needed. I feel like a life of service is all I have to give. I am interested in the monastery as a permanent retreat, to give God my undivided attention and put my faith in action.

I fancy myself a writer, a poet and i have given these last eighteen years of my life over to sobriety. I have tried to write every day, of those years and about how and why I have come to believe God saved me from myself. I had a spiritual awakening at the treatment center I was in, in 1992. A warmth and peace, like I was being anointed, spread over me and my faith was reawakened. I don't know that I will make the monastery my home for the rest of my life, but I do feel I am being drawn there. My heart and mind are open and after all of these years, I am ready to seek fulfillment.

Please feel free to contact me. I am not a wealthy man. I have some, minor debts I am working to clear up. I am looking forward to learning more. My prayers will be focused on the future and the vocation I am seeking to find.

Thank you for your kindness--Peace&Love be with you!

William