Vocations was the topic of discussion in the 8th grade religion class at St. Francis School and they had two special guests speaking about their own journey to Religious life. We had Sr. Valeria Jimenez (Sr. Val) and Seminarian Marc Gandolfo share their spiritual journey with the students. Both of them have connections with St. Francis Church and School. Marc went to school here from preschool to 8th grade and Sr. Val taught in our preschool for three years.

Marc is in the Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon and Sr. Val in the Salesian Sisters of John Bosco, Daughters of Our Lady Help of Christians novitiate in New Jersey. Both of them are going through their formation years and the joy and excitement for our Lord came through so beautifully. They talked openly about the struggle they went through during their discernment and how prayer and spiritual guidance helped them to make their decisions. Sr. Val discussed why she joined the Salesian order and Marc about his decision to become a diocesan priest. It was truly inspiring to see two young people so in love with the Lord and willing to serve the people.