“Vocational Discernment”: CLA Workshop with John Neafsey
The third CLA workshop for our 2021-2023 cohorts was held on Sunday, November 14, 2021. We welcomed author and clinical psychologist John Neafsey, who explored the idea of vocation in a conversation hosted by teacher and campus minister Justin T. White. John and Justin discussed how, as contemplative leaders, our vocational discernment inevitably has implications for how we live and serve in the world.
Q&A followed the discussion, with questions submitted by CLA participants.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
Do you experience a sense of joy in pursuing your vocational path?
Do you feel as though your gifts are suited to the vocational path you are on?
Are your vocational efforts of service to the world?
About John Neafsey
John Neafsey is a clinical psychologist in private practice who lives with his family on the North Side of Chicago. John earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Rutgers University and has worked in a variety of settings over the years, including serving for ten years as a staff psychologist at the Heartland Alliance Marjorie Kovler Center, a treatment program for immigrant survivors of torture in Chicago. He has taught in the theology department at Loyola University Chicago and in the clinical psychology program at Roosevelt University. He has strong interests in psychoanalysis, depth psychology, Ignatian spirituality, liberation theology, and human rights.
John is the author of three books. His first book, A Sacred Voice is Calling: Personal Vocation and Social Conscience, is an interdisciplinary exploration of personal calling and social responsibility in the contemporary world. His second book, Crucified People, examines the scandal of torture in today’s world. His most recent book, Act Justly, Love Tenderly: Lifelong Lessons on Conscience and Calling, is a meditation on the universal call to justice, compassion, and humility.
About Justin T. White
Since 2017, Justin T. White has worked at Loyola Blakefield in the areas of campus ministry, community service, diversity, inclusion & equity work, teaching Theology and Psychology, and the Admissions Department. Racial equity and its intersection with education, spirituality, and mental health are areas of great personal and professional interest.
Justin is a native of Philadelphia, earned his B.A. in Sociology from Loyola University Maryland in 2009. Directly after graduating, Justin spent eight years as a Theology teacher at Cristo Rey Jesuit – Baltimore. Also, during that time he directed the school’s community service program as a component of the Campus Ministry Office. Justin completed the MAGIS program sponsored by the Office of Ignatian Spirituality, and served as a Board member for the Ignatian Solidarity Network. In his free time, Justin enjoys fellowship with family and friends, Marvel movies, kayaking, and tubing. He has the hopes of graduating from Loyola University in Maryland, once again, with a Masters in School Counseling in May of 2022.