When God Calls You by Name
By Dawn Alcorn
I’ve enjoyed a blessed life. My childhood was loud, fun, and happy. My mother raised six children in the Catholic faith. She did this with the support of my father, although he wasn’t Catholic. She didn’t drive, but he took us to Sunday Mass and he was there waiting for us when Mass was over. We attended our parish parochial school. Although my mother was a stay-at-home mom and money was tightly budgeted, there was always a weekly envelope contribution. When I was preparing for marriage, she gave me advice passed from her mother. She said, give to your church and God will provide for your needs. This simple faith I took to heart. I believe this precious advice made a difference in my life.
During my child raising years, I learned the importance of that advice. Adult life is very different from childhood, with greater responsibility and consequences from actions. But, trust in the Lord, is a tremendous comfort. I remember many times of financial stress, but God provided unexpected solutions in every instance. I worked full time and was always busy. To be alone for daily prayer, I parked far from the building, so I could pray as I walked. I took the stairs instead of the elevator, to pray a decade of the rosary. I sent my children to our parish school and attended Sunday Mass. But, I wasn’t growing in faith or building a relationship with Jesus. I knew something was missing.
Before retirement, I looked for a new parish family. I was worried about retiring and how I’d use that newly gained time. I was worried about getting rightly ordered for this last quarter of life. I joined a St. Max parish small group. It was part of my reordered life plan. I met amazing, faith-filled women. I began to take the time to listen to the Holy Spirit’s call. When the invitation came to join the Adoration Team, I said yes. This was a leap of faith for me. I didn’t know much about Adoration. It wasn’t something I learned in childhood. I believe that invitation to join the team was God calling me by name.
Up to this point, I had not faced true, unexpected personal loss. God, our Father, in anticipation of what I’d need, provided people who could nurture my faith. He gave me the opportunity to say yes to the Adoration Team and through that team begin to build a real personal relationship with Jesus. How have I navigated those personal losses when they came into my life? Through the grace and mercy of God, through God’s wonderful people, and through the Holy Spirit prompting me to say yes, at exactly the right time. The Father knows what we need. When my husband passed away, the Adoration team, my friends, and neighbors lifted me up. During Mass and Adoration, Jesus heard me cry and listened to my prayers for the souls of my husband and my father.
When I got the invitation to submit this testimony, I didn’t want to do it. My younger sister had just passed away. My mother is in Alzheimer’s care. I was feeling overwhelmed and grieving. Then, on February 11, I read a story about St. Bernadette. She’d been asked to do something she did not want to do. She offered it up for the Holy Souls. She said yes. So, for the Holy Souls, I offer readers my testimony. Life is a blessing and perhaps my journey can be an inspiration. I’m so glad I said yes, joined the Adoration Team, met amazing people, and learned of the blessings found in a relationship with Jesus. All this, nurtured through time spent in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.