This is my
Vocation Story
MONICA NGENO
How it Began Hi, my name is Monica Ngeno, and I live in Minnesota. I am the youngest of seven
children. I grew-up in a Catholic family and memorably recollect vibrant church celebrations especially
Easter vigil masses as a child. While, I did not fully understand what was being said, I experienced
immense joy in being part of the celebrations.
My Faith My mother wanted my siblings and I to have a good catholic foundation. She ensured that
we attended religious education classes and received the Sacraments frequently. I was even privileged to
attend a catholic high school which reinforced my faith but also led to some rebellion. It was however
during that time that I first thought about religious life. I never thought I would seriously consider it but
a seed was planted.
My parents emphasized the importance of education, hard work and faith in living a successful life. I
immigrated to the US to pursue a college education and buried myself in my studies. I continued with
the practice of going to weekly mass, but never involved myself with other church ministries. I started
working and before I knew it, my life became a juggle of duties and relationships. I felt that there was no
room for extra relationships. Even my family was sidelined and soon I was missing family events as work
took on a new priority.
Fear of failure and dependence on others fueled my need to succeed and my relationship with God
suffered as I slowly drifted away from Him. I had convinced myself that God was disappointed with my
life choices and this led to a downward spiral in my faith. Slowly, I started skipping weekly mass and
even daily prayers became a chore. For years I remained
unfulfilled in life. The more I put my energy to gain material
“[God] simply offers His
possessions and financial security, the more my life felt
unconditional love and divine mercy
empty and frustrating.
to sinners like me and all I had
to do was accept this.”
–Monica Ngeno
One spring, I attended a retreat and clearly received the
message that God was not harshly judging me or keeping
score of my sins. He simply offers His unconditional love
and mercy to sinners like me and all I had to do was accept
it. I needed to acknowledge this to allow God to turn my life around. The first step was to go to confession
and I was terrified. As I went God graced me with peace and a true sense of reconciliation. I felt that God
faithfully and constantly draws me close, especially during life’s struggles.
LaboureSociety.org
651-452-1160
Called to serve
The Summer Class of 2015
Discerning my call Moving to California to pursue graduate studies, I was both
humbled and amazed by the number of faithful young adults I encountered there.
It renewed my hope and the strong community of faith fostered in me a deeper
relationship with God. One night, I was invited by a close friend to attend mass and
adoration at a local convent. The sisters were full of joy and warmth as they welcomed
us to join them in prayer. In this 24/7 world, I struggle with mental prayer and truly
cherish those sacred moments when I can silence my mind, settle my heart and lift up
my soul. In that moment at the convent I heard God’s invitation to surrender myself
completely to Him and let go of all my fears. I experienced peace and untold joy as I
joined the sisters in prayer and thanksgiving that evening.
However, I was not ready to hand over the reins and trust God despite the encouragement of my spiritual
director and mentors. After graduation, I was extremely anxious about the future and my vocation. Was I called
to matrimony, single life or missionary work? I didn’t have any definitive answers. I moved back to Minnesota
and I started my career. My life was ok but lacking something. I found myself thirsting for and seeking a deeper
relationship with God. During this time the idea of religious life came back with a greater desire and passion. I
chose to be open to God’s will and follow whatever path he would lead me to. The time had come for me to truly
listen and overcome my fears. I began my search for a religious community.
“In that moment at the convent
I heard God’s invitation to
surrender myself completely to
Him and let go of all my fears.”
–Monica Ngeno
Called to Serve My search led to the Visitation Sisters, termed “nunz in
the hood” by the local community of North Minneapolis. Their mission,
‘Live Jesus’ allows the sisters to be part of a marginalized, violencestruck community not only by their presence but also by offering a safe
haven where all individuals are welcome and offered an opportunity to
partake in the sisters’ prayer life. I have spent time with the Visitation
Sisters in prayer and community events that bring together local
children, teens and parents. I witnessed the sisters’ genuine love and
concern and I am excited to be a part of their community.
The words of St. Augustine of Hippo illuminates my decision to pursue a religious calling and share God’s love
with everyone, especially the poor and marginalized communities as he states; ‘To fall in love with God is the greatest
romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement.’
Prayer & Invitation I face a major hurdle in dedicating my life to God’s service due to the loans accrued as I
pursued my education. I am unable to join the Visitation Sisters or begin religious formation until my educational
loans have been eliminated. The Labouré Society offers aspirants a unique opportunity to overcome this obstacle
and make our vocations possible.
I invite you to join me in my vocational journey as we work to remove this final obstacle and help all Labouré
aspirants like me to embark on our greatest adventure in answering God’s call to build His kingdom. Please pray
for me and all men and women considering a religious calling in their lives.
If you have any questions and comments please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
–Monica Ngeno
Why I’m writing
I am not only an aspirant to religious life; I am also a fundraiser for these vocations. A recent study confirmed that
nearly 1 out of 2 aspirants have student loans and thus most communities and dioceses cannot accept them. It is the
only thing that prevents many – including me – from entering formation to become a priest, sister or brother.
I am seeking to raise the average student loan amount of $45,000 before December 31 for a Catholic non-profit
that helps aspirants like me — The Labouré Society. Through Labouré, I and my fellow aspirants work together
as a class raising donations from $10 – $10,000 to deliver each of us into formation. We are blessed to have this
opportunity to share our love for God, our vocation stories, and to invite hundreds of individuals to support
vocations like ours by sharing our stories, remembering us in prayer, and financially investing in our future.
At the end of our class, Labouré will issue awards based on individual effort and the funds available to Labouré.
They will administer the awards while we are in formation over a three year period (you can learn more about the
program on the back of this letter). If we leave formation for any reason, we will resume our own payments. Plus,
every aspirant in Labouré has been accepted by their diocese or community and is required to work and liquidate
their assets as able to make their own maximum loan payments.
At the beginning of our class, we met and participated in an intensive 3-day training on the ethics and spirituality
of fundraising. We are learning practical skills that will help us now and in our future vocations. We have also
developed as a team to learn from and support each other. You can see our picture below.
Will you join our vocational journeys? Please partner with us and be part of our vocation team so we can answer
God’s call together!
Summer 2015 Class of Aspirants to the Priesthood and Religious Life
Our vocations story videos are online at: www.LaboureSociety.org
About
The Labouré Society
Why are we needed?
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There are an estimated 10,000 individuals discerning a priestly or religious vocation in the US annually
42% are blocked from pursuing this call due to educational loans*
The average vocational ‘aspirant’ in Labouré owes $45,000 in educational loans
Most religious communities cannot assume this debt
Most dioceses will allow some debt but have a limited threshold for acceptance
* (NRVC, Vision Study, 2010)
What have we accomplished?
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Operating since 2003
Listed in the Official Catholic Directory
Over 260 assisted into formation to the priesthood or religious life
Over $3.6 million awarded, over 90% of aspirant funds received
A network of thousands of praying singles, families, religious, priests, & bishops
Efficient service: a modest staff of 3 employees in a donated office
How do we do it?
Our Aspirants:
• Discern a vocation & are accepted into a diocese or religious community
• Are blocked from entering or continuing vocational formation due to student loans
• Apply to Labouré & meet intake requirements
• Are trained in ethical fundraising – empowered with practical tools, personal mentoring, & accountability
• Share their vocation stories & participate in building a culture of vocations & evangelization
• Raise funds for Labouré to benefit many vocations
• Are awarded monthly payments towards their educational loans
• Receive final award payout after 3 years & enter freely into a lifetime of priestly or religious service
The Labouré Society
• Works with each aspirant to ensure all personal means are utilized to mitigate the loan amount (loan
consolidation, asset review, financial counseling, employment, etc.) prior to acceptance into
the program
• Trains each aspirant in biblically based philanthropy
• Forms a semi-annual ‘class’ of aspirants
• Mentors each aspirant building a unified team; each individual works toward the collective goal
• Provides ongoing accountability to ensure proper preparation & completion of personal fundraising plans
• Equips each aspirant with an online fundraising platform for real time donation processing, reporting,
assessment of goals & class interaction, marketing & communications tools
• Facilitates ongoing communication & updates between aspirants & donors after formation entrance
• Manages aspirant award payments while they are in formation
• Completes award payout after 3 years active formation
1365 Corporate Center Curve • SuitE 104 • Eagan, MN 55121 • LaboureSociety.org • 651-452-1160
The Labouré Society is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is listed in the Official Catholic Directory. All donations are tax deductible. Gifts solicited
by our aspirants belong to Labouré and are dispersed upon board approved guidelines to ensure full compliance with IRS rulings. Aspirants who leave
Labouré are not required to repay any funds disbursed but are strongly encouraged to support Labouré however possible. Funds granted but not
dispersed to a former aspirant are reallocated toward current or future aspirants.