We have the hunting season, the this season and the that season....and now we're in the PERSONAL RENEWAL season....LENT!
I must admit that Lent was NOT my favorite season. For me Lent was always the PENANCE, MORTIFICATION, SACRIFICE season....the GIVING UP season. And so I really did not look forward to Lent.
Praise the Lord I have had an awakening! A renewed understanding of this HOLY season. My renewed approached is not centered on what am I NOT going
to do, but what am I going to DO?
What will I do to renew? Renew my relationship with the Lord. Renew my relationship with my sisters, my friends, my....
"Be holy as I your God am holy."
"Be my holiness for others."
WONDERFUL LENTEN RENEWAL SEASON!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day....
Happy Valentine's Day! I hope your day is filled with lots of loving people, loving experiences, loving things....just plain LOVE! And of course we know God's love ALWAYS surrounds us...not just on February 14!
Actually every day is heart day, every day is love day..."by this will all know you are my followers...if you LOVE each other".
Actually every day is heart day, every day is love day..."by this will all know you are my followers...if you LOVE each other".
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Consecrated Life Day
Today is a special day for us who live the CONSECRATED LIFE. Some years ago Pope John the XXIII declared the first Sunday in February CONSECRATED LIFE DAY.
So today we honor all sisters, brothers, priests in religious communities. We all are familiar with the basic orders: FRANCISCAN, BENEDICTINE, DOMINICAN, AUGUSTINIAN. All orders follow one of these rules. We, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, follow the rule of St. Francis.
Through our vows of obedience, poverty, and celibate chastity we consecrate, we surrender our lives to God to be about continuing the mission of Jesus. Full-time! To be available to respond wherever, however, to whatever God asks.
Our vow of obedience calls us to listen, to discern together what God may be asking. Our vow of poverty calls us to live simply, to live not by what I want, but by what I need. To live with a conscious awareness and commitment to the poor. Our vow of celibate chastity calls us to a deep respect for every person, no exceptions, calls us to be loving persons, to love in an inclusive way.
In the "olden days" we were in education and health care. Today we are there plus in a variety of ministries. You find us in the front lines as executives, directors, presidents, as well as behind the scenes in the areas of social justice, working for, and also advocating, for the underserved, the un-served, the shunned, the forgotten, those who fall through the cracks in society and in our Church.
We are doctors, lawyers, spiritual directors, retreat directors. At home and abroad.
When I'm asked why I am still a Sister, I say: because I LOVE being a Sister. I have the opportunity to deepen my intimacy with the Lord, to use all my gifts to make a difference. I am more available to respond to God.
This is truly a WONDERFUL life! It does have its challenges, as any other vocation. It takes courgage and generosity. It also brings much joy and satisfaction.
Is God calling you to consecrate your life as a sister, brother, or religious order/diocesan priest? Do you sometimes see yourself in this life? Why not? Pray about it. Seek information. Talk to a priest or sister who can answer your questions.
In our families are our future sisters, brothers, priests. Do not only pray for more of us. Encouraage. Invite. Pop the question: DID YOU EVER THINK OF BEING A SISTER? A PRIEST? A BROTHER? I dare you to ask that question. If you do, let me know how it was for you.
So today we honor all sisters, brothers, priests in religious communities. We all are familiar with the basic orders: FRANCISCAN, BENEDICTINE, DOMINICAN, AUGUSTINIAN. All orders follow one of these rules. We, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, follow the rule of St. Francis.
Through our vows of obedience, poverty, and celibate chastity we consecrate, we surrender our lives to God to be about continuing the mission of Jesus. Full-time! To be available to respond wherever, however, to whatever God asks.
Our vow of obedience calls us to listen, to discern together what God may be asking. Our vow of poverty calls us to live simply, to live not by what I want, but by what I need. To live with a conscious awareness and commitment to the poor. Our vow of celibate chastity calls us to a deep respect for every person, no exceptions, calls us to be loving persons, to love in an inclusive way.
In the "olden days" we were in education and health care. Today we are there plus in a variety of ministries. You find us in the front lines as executives, directors, presidents, as well as behind the scenes in the areas of social justice, working for, and also advocating, for the underserved, the un-served, the shunned, the forgotten, those who fall through the cracks in society and in our Church.
We are doctors, lawyers, spiritual directors, retreat directors. At home and abroad.
When I'm asked why I am still a Sister, I say: because I LOVE being a Sister. I have the opportunity to deepen my intimacy with the Lord, to use all my gifts to make a difference. I am more available to respond to God.
This is truly a WONDERFUL life! It does have its challenges, as any other vocation. It takes courgage and generosity. It also brings much joy and satisfaction.
Is God calling you to consecrate your life as a sister, brother, or religious order/diocesan priest? Do you sometimes see yourself in this life? Why not? Pray about it. Seek information. Talk to a priest or sister who can answer your questions.
In our families are our future sisters, brothers, priests. Do not only pray for more of us. Encouraage. Invite. Pop the question: DID YOU EVER THINK OF BEING A SISTER? A PRIEST? A BROTHER? I dare you to ask that question. If you do, let me know how it was for you.
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