Hi everyone!

My name is Kathleen Hoffman - I have recently been accepted to the Seeds of the Word Sabbatical Year! This is a nine month program of deeper healing, conversion, formation, sanctification, vocational discernment and mission while living in religious community.

For those who don’t know, the Seeds of the Word are a contemplative and missionary religious community here in Calgary, with a focus on evangelizing. It will be a year to focus on God’s voice and figure out how I can best serve the church going forward.

To be honest, this was not something I’d ever imagined myself doing. I have been in the work force since high school. More recently, I have spent the last two years enjoying working at L'Arche - a program to assist adults with disabilities as a recreational therapy aide.

Suffice to say, I was not at all comfortable when God placed this call on my heart. But through good spiritual directors, friends and prayer, God gave me the grace to surrender this time to Him. I decided to give Him a fearful yet peace-filled yes. 

I know that this program will be invaluable to me and that I in turn can bless the Church. I am truly convicted of the value of programs like this, equipping more Catholics with healing, charisms, knowledge and skills to evangelize and live their Catholic identity more deeply.

I have been asked to raise the cost of this program in the amount of $8100. Truthfully, I considered getting a loan to cover the cost instead, because it would spare me the discomfort of asking for donations. But, then I realized that my call to depend on Jesus starts now.

Which leads me to ask: Will you consider making a donation? If 25 people gave a gift of around $300 - I would hit my goal! Know that any amount is helpful and I am truly grateful.

Thank you for your consideration and please pray for me as well.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Kathleen Hoffman