Sunday, May 20, 2012
Buenos dias...decidi escribir hoy en espanol. No se si habra quien me lo lea. Estaba pensando en la fiesta de hoy: la Asencion...(tambien debo admitir que no soy tan magnifica con mi espanol....de modo que me perdonan mis erores!) Estaba pensando, resando, really, en la asencion del Senor. Y pense, que tal seria la experiencia de los apostoles al ver al Senor subiendo, subiendo, envuelto en una nube. Luego me dije: you lo voy a hacer. Me voy a poner en esa situacion. Yo voy a ser una de las personas que estaban alli. Y lo hice...que experincia! Ahora tu....has eso tambien para ver que te pasa....
I have been out of circulation for quite a while....so I welcome myself back!!!!!! Interesting how indispensable we are! Blogging has progressed without me. It is wonderful to know that we are not the "end all, be all". Lots has happened while I was "gone"...I will not bore you with that.
Here in Glendale, WI, Spring, or really now, Summer, is gifting us with such bright greens....simply grand! We are now beautifying the space around the house with yellow and red flowers...hopefully we will not be visited by four-legged "friends".
I am just "shocked" at the variety of bright greens...love it! Admire it as I drive around and never tire of its beauty....what a gift! One more thing for which to say: GRACIAS!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Hop along...
Are you old enough to remember Hop Along Cassidy? Well, I am the latest "hop-along." February 25, I fell to the tune of a severe ankle sprain. I am modelling the newest SSM footwear! It's quite the boot! You are able to inflate and deflate it as needed. What a specialty!
This "hop-along" experience (to last 4-6 weeks) has been my Lenten gift from the Lord. An experience in humility and dependence. I am a very independent peson. A "can do this fine, thank you." And since this is usually true, am quite engrained in this "can do" attitude.
My challenge to humility and dependence was really tried this last week. We, SSM's, had a five-day community meeting. I depended on some sister's kindness to "get me to the place on time," to get my food, to get me to the ladies' room, to keep the ice chest full (for the bandages). Name it, somebody had to do it for me.
I was blessed with my many generous and thoughtful sisters who were always there for me, ready to do what was needed. I will not soon run out of people for whom to pray!
COMMUNITY...that is our life....being there for the other. And I certainly experienced it in full measure! A wonderful example for me.
Thank you, dear sisters. You truly were sister to me. God will reward you GREATLY!
This "hop-along" experience (to last 4-6 weeks) has been my Lenten gift from the Lord. An experience in humility and dependence. I am a very independent peson. A "can do this fine, thank you." And since this is usually true, am quite engrained in this "can do" attitude.
My challenge to humility and dependence was really tried this last week. We, SSM's, had a five-day community meeting. I depended on some sister's kindness to "get me to the place on time," to get my food, to get me to the ladies' room, to keep the ice chest full (for the bandages). Name it, somebody had to do it for me.
I was blessed with my many generous and thoughtful sisters who were always there for me, ready to do what was needed. I will not soon run out of people for whom to pray!
COMMUNITY...that is our life....being there for the other. And I certainly experienced it in full measure! A wonderful example for me.
Thank you, dear sisters. You truly were sister to me. God will reward you GREATLY!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Truly inspiring....
It's amazing how sometimes the "same old-same old" strikes you as so new! This happened to me during my morning reflection time.
I use "the WORD among us" and today's reflection was so inspirng for me that I must share it with you.
"We are all temples of the Holy Spirit, and that means that we have something extremely valuable to give out. We have the mercy, compassion, wisdom, and strength that come from the heart of God, living in us. That "cup" of grace we have received is so full that it can't help but overflow out of us.
Loving others as Jesus loves us goes beyond the Golden Rule. God wants us to be his light in the world. Consider the words of St Teresa of Avila: "Christ hs no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours." Every day, in every moment, God has a purpose for you that extends into eternity. That purpose includes everyone you come in contact with."
Talk about POWERFUL! As I said, "nothing new", yet I heard it in a new way. Must have been the Spirit speaking JUST TO ME!
I pray the same for you!
I use "the WORD among us" and today's reflection was so inspirng for me that I must share it with you.
"We are all temples of the Holy Spirit, and that means that we have something extremely valuable to give out. We have the mercy, compassion, wisdom, and strength that come from the heart of God, living in us. That "cup" of grace we have received is so full that it can't help but overflow out of us.
Loving others as Jesus loves us goes beyond the Golden Rule. God wants us to be his light in the world. Consider the words of St Teresa of Avila: "Christ hs no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours." Every day, in every moment, God has a purpose for you that extends into eternity. That purpose includes everyone you come in contact with."
Talk about POWERFUL! As I said, "nothing new", yet I heard it in a new way. Must have been the Spirit speaking JUST TO ME!
I pray the same for you!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Renew season....
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!
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!
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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