Mary
Advent seems like a time of busyness even though I always decide at the beginning that I will spend more quiet time in an attitute of expectant waiting. This feast of Mary is a wake up call reminding me that I have not stopped to be attentive. I know that Mary did not live in a calm time but one of oppression for her people and of turbulent politics, yet she was quiet enough to hear a call from God--a call that would cost her much and a call she did not understand. But she was quiet enough to hear and trusting enough in God's promises to say, "yes."
Today I want my Advent to be one of quiet expectation that God will fulfill all promises and that I can cooperate in that adventure. I want to listen and wait.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Economy
I sometimes wonder what is happening in our lives in terms of the measures we have taken to be able to care for our elderly sisters. It has never been luxury we have aimed for, just the ability to provide for basic needs. Now with the great drop in the stock market and the value of retirement funds, I wonder how we will be able to manage. It is not that I spend time worrying, because I do believe that God provides for our needs in ways that are best for us and I trust that whatever happens God will be with us. However, somewhere deep inside, I am feeling that we should be rewarded or at least protected because we have sacrificed in order to be responsible for our elderly sisters. And there is that lesson I come to over and over again--life is not a series of rewards for good behavior but a series of acts of love and trust without specific expectations.
My other thoughts are around what I meant by my vow of poverty. I didn't think much about the future in terms of money or care in sickness and old age, but I did mean that I was willing to live with whatever was my lot as a sister. I really meant that I would be content with little and not live in luxury. It will take some adjustment in my view of the future as I give myself once again into the hands of our Provident God.
What does this teach me about discernment? That decisions are not made because of the certainty of a specific future, but are made with a deep trust and love for a God who provides.
I sometimes wonder what is happening in our lives in terms of the measures we have taken to be able to care for our elderly sisters. It has never been luxury we have aimed for, just the ability to provide for basic needs. Now with the great drop in the stock market and the value of retirement funds, I wonder how we will be able to manage. It is not that I spend time worrying, because I do believe that God provides for our needs in ways that are best for us and I trust that whatever happens God will be with us. However, somewhere deep inside, I am feeling that we should be rewarded or at least protected because we have sacrificed in order to be responsible for our elderly sisters. And there is that lesson I come to over and over again--life is not a series of rewards for good behavior but a series of acts of love and trust without specific expectations.
My other thoughts are around what I meant by my vow of poverty. I didn't think much about the future in terms of money or care in sickness and old age, but I did mean that I was willing to live with whatever was my lot as a sister. I really meant that I would be content with little and not live in luxury. It will take some adjustment in my view of the future as I give myself once again into the hands of our Provident God.
What does this teach me about discernment? That decisions are not made because of the certainty of a specific future, but are made with a deep trust and love for a God who provides.
Monday, November 03, 2008
All Souls Day
Yesterday we had our annual remembrance of the Sisters of Divine Providence who have died since last November 2. There were six to remember. During the Vespers service, the names of those six were read along with a remembrance of them. The sister who writes these remembrances always captures some small thing about each of them that makes it seem like they are actually there in a warm and caring way. Often the reflections bring a smile to our faces as we recall the caring nature of each of them and the particular sense of humor each one possessed. While the remembrance is read, a sister who was especially close the the diseased holds a candle which is then placed on the altar.
The names of relatatives and friends who have died are also read and the litany of saints is sung. Then we process to our cemetery and each of us prays at graves of sisters who had been important in our lives.
I love this service which we have each year. Today, I feel the closeness of all the sisters who have been part of our congregation and who have led us to this moment in our congregational life.
Yesterday we had our annual remembrance of the Sisters of Divine Providence who have died since last November 2. There were six to remember. During the Vespers service, the names of those six were read along with a remembrance of them. The sister who writes these remembrances always captures some small thing about each of them that makes it seem like they are actually there in a warm and caring way. Often the reflections bring a smile to our faces as we recall the caring nature of each of them and the particular sense of humor each one possessed. While the remembrance is read, a sister who was especially close the the diseased holds a candle which is then placed on the altar.
The names of relatatives and friends who have died are also read and the litany of saints is sung. Then we process to our cemetery and each of us prays at graves of sisters who had been important in our lives.
I love this service which we have each year. Today, I feel the closeness of all the sisters who have been part of our congregation and who have led us to this moment in our congregational life.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
All Saints Day
I love this feastday. It is a great day to reflect on people in our lives who were instruments of God's grace for us. Also I like to think of the various images of what a saint is that have been active in my life. I guess when I was small it was the statues that conveyed some kind of a notion of saints. They had delicate features and were solid, I might say stoic, and definitely they were pious. That image has been shattered for me as the years have passed.
I remember when I was a novice there was a statue of St. Aloysius in our study room. He may have held a lily (I'm not sure of that) but his head was back and tilted to the side, his eyes rolled to heaven, his hands folded. I do remember a day when I looked at the statue and thought it did not portray what I wanted to be. I have never been very pious even though I long to be close to God. Anyway, I think my aunt Lou is a better image of a saint for me than what that statue depicted. She was good and kind, thoughtful of others, a rabid Cincinnati Reds fan, careful with material goods, loving of children, forgiving, always concerned about my mother, generous with her time and what little she had. She did have a picture of the Sacred Heart over her mantle and there she always kept a vigil light burning. I think that if she had been short on cash, it would not have been the purchase of vigil lights that she would have forgone.
At any rate, as I think of it today, it is the gospel from this morning's mass that tells me about what a saint is--the sermon on the mount! The poor in spirit, the one who acts for justice, the one is meek and humble, etc. I hope that I can be among the blessed discribed in the gospel.
Happy Feast Day!
I love this feastday. It is a great day to reflect on people in our lives who were instruments of God's grace for us. Also I like to think of the various images of what a saint is that have been active in my life. I guess when I was small it was the statues that conveyed some kind of a notion of saints. They had delicate features and were solid, I might say stoic, and definitely they were pious. That image has been shattered for me as the years have passed.
I remember when I was a novice there was a statue of St. Aloysius in our study room. He may have held a lily (I'm not sure of that) but his head was back and tilted to the side, his eyes rolled to heaven, his hands folded. I do remember a day when I looked at the statue and thought it did not portray what I wanted to be. I have never been very pious even though I long to be close to God. Anyway, I think my aunt Lou is a better image of a saint for me than what that statue depicted. She was good and kind, thoughtful of others, a rabid Cincinnati Reds fan, careful with material goods, loving of children, forgiving, always concerned about my mother, generous with her time and what little she had. She did have a picture of the Sacred Heart over her mantle and there she always kept a vigil light burning. I think that if she had been short on cash, it would not have been the purchase of vigil lights that she would have forgone.
At any rate, as I think of it today, it is the gospel from this morning's mass that tells me about what a saint is--the sermon on the mount! The poor in spirit, the one who acts for justice, the one is meek and humble, etc. I hope that I can be among the blessed discribed in the gospel.
Happy Feast Day!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Notes from Life
The other day, the woman who administers our website, gave me an email she had received from a woman who spoke of all the Sisters of Divine Providence she had known as a child and young woman. It just so happened that she was a boarder at a boarding school where I taught when I was very young. It was my first assignment. I had charge of the girl boarders as well as teaching high school math and science.
Anyway, I was surprised at all the memories it brought back. I remembered the woman quite well and lots of other things about that time in my life. I won't say that the first years of teaching or living in community are easy, but when I remembered the time it was all sorts of good things that came to me. And not just that year, but all the years. Sometimes I just go about my day and try to keep up with life, community, prayer, other relationships. But yesterday I took a little time to remember and it was gratitude that filled me.
Gratitude for the people I have met, the people who have become important in my life, the ones who have supported me (and there are many), and the ones who were comforted by my presence. My life is full of blessings. I think of how shy I was as a child and how narrow in my thinking. This religious life has been one of openning up and seeing the world anew. I am so grateful for my call and my life and how I have become who I am.
So what about discernment? It requires taking some time to look beyond the present moment with its struggles and responsibilities in order to have a long view. Where have you been and what has been the deepest longing in your heart? What is God's dream for you?
The other day, the woman who administers our website, gave me an email she had received from a woman who spoke of all the Sisters of Divine Providence she had known as a child and young woman. It just so happened that she was a boarder at a boarding school where I taught when I was very young. It was my first assignment. I had charge of the girl boarders as well as teaching high school math and science.
Anyway, I was surprised at all the memories it brought back. I remembered the woman quite well and lots of other things about that time in my life. I won't say that the first years of teaching or living in community are easy, but when I remembered the time it was all sorts of good things that came to me. And not just that year, but all the years. Sometimes I just go about my day and try to keep up with life, community, prayer, other relationships. But yesterday I took a little time to remember and it was gratitude that filled me.
Gratitude for the people I have met, the people who have become important in my life, the ones who have supported me (and there are many), and the ones who were comforted by my presence. My life is full of blessings. I think of how shy I was as a child and how narrow in my thinking. This religious life has been one of openning up and seeing the world anew. I am so grateful for my call and my life and how I have become who I am.
So what about discernment? It requires taking some time to look beyond the present moment with its struggles and responsibilities in order to have a long view. Where have you been and what has been the deepest longing in your heart? What is God's dream for you?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Providence
Saturday we had a meeting to hear about the summer total congregation meeting in France. The day included reports on what the various provinces of the congregation saw as the important events of the last five years and also what they saw as the direction we need to go in the future.
It was a fruitful day and one filled with hope. At the meetings in France, the discussion of the points which came from all over the world, centered on the need to live more intensely what we call our four fundamental virtues: poverty, simplicity, charity and abaondonment of Divine Providence. In terms of our ministry there was a strong emphasis on working with those who are on the margins where we are. For us that seems to be immigrants. There was a lot of discussion of "throwing in our lot" with them or sharing in whatever ways we can their life and struggles.
I find all this exciting as well as challenging.
Saturday we had a meeting to hear about the summer total congregation meeting in France. The day included reports on what the various provinces of the congregation saw as the important events of the last five years and also what they saw as the direction we need to go in the future.
It was a fruitful day and one filled with hope. At the meetings in France, the discussion of the points which came from all over the world, centered on the need to live more intensely what we call our four fundamental virtues: poverty, simplicity, charity and abaondonment of Divine Providence. In terms of our ministry there was a strong emphasis on working with those who are on the margins where we are. For us that seems to be immigrants. There was a lot of discussion of "throwing in our lot" with them or sharing in whatever ways we can their life and struggles.
I find all this exciting as well as challenging.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Rainy Day
We have needed rain for a long time and today it has finally come. It is a nice gentle rain that will soak in the ground rather than run off. I am grateful. When we have this kind of day I think of the quote in Isaiah (I think it is chapter 55 or 56) about how the rain and snow come down and water the earth and do not return to God empty making the erth fruitful and providing food for the one who sows, etc. Then it ways "just so will my word be that goes forth from my mouth. It will not return to me void but will accomplish the end for which I sent it." That is so powerful. A little scary when I think of myself as a word of God that must accomplish God's end for me. But also encouraged and joyful that there is no other possibility. IT WILL ACCOMPLISH THE END.
I'm going to enjoy this day and the demand and assurance that I accomplish the end for which I am sent.
We have needed rain for a long time and today it has finally come. It is a nice gentle rain that will soak in the ground rather than run off. I am grateful. When we have this kind of day I think of the quote in Isaiah (I think it is chapter 55 or 56) about how the rain and snow come down and water the earth and do not return to God empty making the erth fruitful and providing food for the one who sows, etc. Then it ways "just so will my word be that goes forth from my mouth. It will not return to me void but will accomplish the end for which I sent it." That is so powerful. A little scary when I think of myself as a word of God that must accomplish God's end for me. But also encouraged and joyful that there is no other possibility. IT WILL ACCOMPLISH THE END.
I'm going to enjoy this day and the demand and assurance that I accomplish the end for which I am sent.
Monday, October 20, 2008
God's Call
Last night we had a gathering for women interested in exploring their call in life. Only one woman and two sisters attended, but the conversation was quite inspiring. In the course of talking about how we have experienced God's call throughout our lives, the diversity was beautiful and somewhat overwhelming. One obviously experienced God's call in the needs of others, one was more in tune with God's call in signs and dreams and one struggled to hear God's call in the midst of a great deal of busyness. This last one had a great hunger to know God in a personal way and to experience God in daily prayer.
And what about the freedom to hear God? We shared about that too. Fear keeps us from being who we are called to be. Fear of being rejected or fear of being a failure or fear of seeing our own faults or fear of not meeting the expectations of others. We hide from God as Adam and Eve did after eating the fruit. We hide and then we can't hear.
What keeps you from hearing God?
Last night we had a gathering for women interested in exploring their call in life. Only one woman and two sisters attended, but the conversation was quite inspiring. In the course of talking about how we have experienced God's call throughout our lives, the diversity was beautiful and somewhat overwhelming. One obviously experienced God's call in the needs of others, one was more in tune with God's call in signs and dreams and one struggled to hear God's call in the midst of a great deal of busyness. This last one had a great hunger to know God in a personal way and to experience God in daily prayer.
And what about the freedom to hear God? We shared about that too. Fear keeps us from being who we are called to be. Fear of being rejected or fear of being a failure or fear of seeing our own faults or fear of not meeting the expectations of others. We hide from God as Adam and Eve did after eating the fruit. We hide and then we can't hear.
What keeps you from hearing God?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Life in a Fast Lane
I looked at the date of my last blog and wondered why it has been so long since I have shared a reflection here. It is not that life has been dull but it has been busy. There are so many things going on in the world and in life that are begging me to pause and reflect. What does the economic crisis mean? Where is God in this? What about all the election controversies? Where is God in all this?
There was a time when life seemed much simpler and at times I hanker for that. But those were also times when perhaps the simplicity was not in life but in my lack of awareness of what all was going on in life. I would not like to return to a sleep-walking existence in terms of our world and all that impacts the lives of the poor.
For me, I am hearing a call to live with less and enjoy the simple things of life. I want to trust that God will care for what is most important in my life but not necessarily provde a life of comfort. I am praying for the insight to know how to live in these troubled times. What about you?
I looked at the date of my last blog and wondered why it has been so long since I have shared a reflection here. It is not that life has been dull but it has been busy. There are so many things going on in the world and in life that are begging me to pause and reflect. What does the economic crisis mean? Where is God in this? What about all the election controversies? Where is God in all this?
There was a time when life seemed much simpler and at times I hanker for that. But those were also times when perhaps the simplicity was not in life but in my lack of awareness of what all was going on in life. I would not like to return to a sleep-walking existence in terms of our world and all that impacts the lives of the poor.
For me, I am hearing a call to live with less and enjoy the simple things of life. I want to trust that God will care for what is most important in my life but not necessarily provde a life of comfort. I am praying for the insight to know how to live in these troubled times. What about you?
Monday, September 08, 2008
God is in Our Midst
The last couple of days my reflections on the readings has been on the passages that refer to God being with us. I am always a bit puzzled by the passage which says that whatever two or three of us agree on and pray for will be granted. There are so many things that I have joined with others and prayed for something with great fervor and desire yet the prayers do not seem to be answered with what I would call "granted." Peace in our world is one example. Sometimes we have prayed for an increase of vocations to our community or for the healing of a dear friend who is sick.
So I ask what the words of scripture might mean. The other day while I was reflecting on the readings I noticed that the other reading was all about loving God and neighbor. Maybe this is the prayer that is most valid--the prayer asking for the grace to be more loving. Maybe all the prayers are ultimately answered if I become more loving of God and neighbor as a result of joining with others and praying for something that we all agree is good and worthy of being granted.
I am trying to recognize that the great blessing that comes from our praying together is that God is in our midst as we gather and we are all blessed with a greater capacity to love.
Today I want to recall over and over that God is here.
The last couple of days my reflections on the readings has been on the passages that refer to God being with us. I am always a bit puzzled by the passage which says that whatever two or three of us agree on and pray for will be granted. There are so many things that I have joined with others and prayed for something with great fervor and desire yet the prayers do not seem to be answered with what I would call "granted." Peace in our world is one example. Sometimes we have prayed for an increase of vocations to our community or for the healing of a dear friend who is sick.
So I ask what the words of scripture might mean. The other day while I was reflecting on the readings I noticed that the other reading was all about loving God and neighbor. Maybe this is the prayer that is most valid--the prayer asking for the grace to be more loving. Maybe all the prayers are ultimately answered if I become more loving of God and neighbor as a result of joining with others and praying for something that we all agree is good and worthy of being granted.
I am trying to recognize that the great blessing that comes from our praying together is that God is in our midst as we gather and we are all blessed with a greater capacity to love.
Today I want to recall over and over that God is here.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Final Profession
Saturday, Sr. Leslie made her final vows. It was such a glorious celebration with great music, beautiful colors in the church, a crowd of people--everything was wonderful. But I think what really gives me goose bumps is that a young, vivacious woman is brave enough to commit herself to God completely and forever. It reminded me again of what I believe but try to believe more and more everyday--God provides. I know that God will be faithful in providing whatever is needed for Leslie and all of us to be faithful to our commitments.
Church was great but the party after was just as wonderful. There were a lot of young people there and the dancing went on and on. Even those less endowed with grace and agility were up and moving. God was there in the joy and the hope and the abandon with which we all celebrated.
The gospel reading was about the visitation and I thought about how the mutual concern of women of all ages for each other was so evident in the celebrations. The word of God is growing in each of us. The spirit we share recognizes the face of God's Providential care in each. Our spirits are magnifying the Lord.
Saturday, Sr. Leslie made her final vows. It was such a glorious celebration with great music, beautiful colors in the church, a crowd of people--everything was wonderful. But I think what really gives me goose bumps is that a young, vivacious woman is brave enough to commit herself to God completely and forever. It reminded me again of what I believe but try to believe more and more everyday--God provides. I know that God will be faithful in providing whatever is needed for Leslie and all of us to be faithful to our commitments.
Church was great but the party after was just as wonderful. There were a lot of young people there and the dancing went on and on. Even those less endowed with grace and agility were up and moving. God was there in the joy and the hope and the abandon with which we all celebrated.
The gospel reading was about the visitation and I thought about how the mutual concern of women of all ages for each other was so evident in the celebrations. The word of God is growing in each of us. The spirit we share recognizes the face of God's Providential care in each. Our spirits are magnifying the Lord.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Jeremiah is Right On
Jeremiah hit home for me today. I know what it is like to have great expectations and then discover that I had set my sights on something that was not the ultimate good, that was not God. Then I feel duped. Maybe Jeremiah was convinced that if he really said the things God wanted him to say, no matter how difficult, people would respond and would respect him. What he discovered was that being a prophet was neither glorious not successful in human terms.
Peter learned that too. Today, he was probably thinking that Jesus had given him the keys and that life would be one long stretch of glory. Well, responsibility but also respect and success. He did not like to hear that there would be moments of suffering, misunderstanding, etc. But such is the life of the follower of Christ.
Jeremiah lived long before Christ, but he is a sort of prototype of what the Messiah would be. One whose success is not measured in human terms.
So what does all this have to do with vocation. First, vocation is a search for our true self and the word of God that dwells in the very center of our being. We are called to live that word no matter where it leads. Second, following our vocation is a great joy but it is not always the easiest way in terms of comfort or what the culture in which we live calls "success."
I pray that I will be faithful and that I will continue to experience the joy of responding in both moments of pain and moments of delight.
Jeremiah hit home for me today. I know what it is like to have great expectations and then discover that I had set my sights on something that was not the ultimate good, that was not God. Then I feel duped. Maybe Jeremiah was convinced that if he really said the things God wanted him to say, no matter how difficult, people would respond and would respect him. What he discovered was that being a prophet was neither glorious not successful in human terms.
Peter learned that too. Today, he was probably thinking that Jesus had given him the keys and that life would be one long stretch of glory. Well, responsibility but also respect and success. He did not like to hear that there would be moments of suffering, misunderstanding, etc. But such is the life of the follower of Christ.
Jeremiah lived long before Christ, but he is a sort of prototype of what the Messiah would be. One whose success is not measured in human terms.
So what does all this have to do with vocation. First, vocation is a search for our true self and the word of God that dwells in the very center of our being. We are called to live that word no matter where it leads. Second, following our vocation is a great joy but it is not always the easiest way in terms of comfort or what the culture in which we live calls "success."
I pray that I will be faithful and that I will continue to experience the joy of responding in both moments of pain and moments of delight.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Anniversary
Today is the anniversary of the day I made my first vows as a Sister of Divine Providence and also of the day I made my final vows five years after that. So I am thankful today for all God's faithfulness to me and to our congregation. We are fewer in number than we were when I made my vows and we are older. But somehow the witness of our lives seems stronger today than when we were many.
Today in his homily our chaplain mentioned that he had been at the dinner in which grants from the diocesan appeal are given to those who work with the poorest people in our diocese. Two of our sisters received grants. It made me feel very grateful to God that we reach out today to the poor in even more profound ways than in the past. We did, of course, always teach in some of the poorest areas of the diocese. Now we are present as pastoral ministers and social workers among the poor.
Pray that God will continue to give us the grace and courage to reach out to those who need our assistance in order to know that God provides for them with tender love.
Today is the anniversary of the day I made my first vows as a Sister of Divine Providence and also of the day I made my final vows five years after that. So I am thankful today for all God's faithfulness to me and to our congregation. We are fewer in number than we were when I made my vows and we are older. But somehow the witness of our lives seems stronger today than when we were many.
Today in his homily our chaplain mentioned that he had been at the dinner in which grants from the diocesan appeal are given to those who work with the poorest people in our diocese. Two of our sisters received grants. It made me feel very grateful to God that we reach out today to the poor in even more profound ways than in the past. We did, of course, always teach in some of the poorest areas of the diocese. Now we are present as pastoral ministers and social workers among the poor.
Pray that God will continue to give us the grace and courage to reach out to those who need our assistance in order to know that God provides for them with tender love.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Vocation
I've been thinking a lot about discernment. What does it really mean to be a disciple? The readings have been talking about work--that we must. But also about how the work we do and how we look as a result--zealous or pius or successful--are not what counts, but what is on the inside. Discipleship seems simple on the one hand--just keep your eyes on Christ and bring your heart in accord with his (well, simple but not easy). On the other hand it seems complicated--making dicisions that are counter to values that are all around us.
What helps do I need to be a disciple? What life choices will facilitate my being a disciple? With whom do I need to associate myself?
What are you doing about discernment?
I've been thinking a lot about discernment. What does it really mean to be a disciple? The readings have been talking about work--that we must. But also about how the work we do and how we look as a result--zealous or pius or successful--are not what counts, but what is on the inside. Discipleship seems simple on the one hand--just keep your eyes on Christ and bring your heart in accord with his (well, simple but not easy). On the other hand it seems complicated--making dicisions that are counter to values that are all around us.
What helps do I need to be a disciple? What life choices will facilitate my being a disciple? With whom do I need to associate myself?
What are you doing about discernment?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A Good Day
It has been a very good day--nice cool weather, students who remembered what we went over in the last class, a long lunch with other faculty members. It seems so small but I know that God is providing me some comfort after a couple difficult days. So I am grateful and longing for a deeper connection with a God who is tender and caring.
It has been a very good day--nice cool weather, students who remembered what we went over in the last class, a long lunch with other faculty members. It seems so small but I know that God is providing me some comfort after a couple difficult days. So I am grateful and longing for a deeper connection with a God who is tender and caring.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Recalling...
Yesterday we had a high school class reunion. I found it exhilarating to be with these women. In some ways I think high school may be wasted on teenagers. I remember hanging out with just a few of the women (girls then) and being too shy to interact with those who were not very much like me. Now I see what wonderful people they are and wonder why I was afraid to form bonds will more of them when I was a teenager. Why didn't I see the marvel of God's love in each of them and appreciate their goodness and what they had to offer the world?
Maybe this growing to see the wonder of all the people in my life is part of the wisdom promised as we age. I hope so. I hope I grow in wisdom today and tomorrow and everyday.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Foundation Day
Today is the anniversary of the Sisters of Divine Providence arriving in Kentucky, August 23, 1889 . At the motherhouse in France there had been discernment for some months about who would come. Forty sisters volunteered. Four were chosen, in the end three came. They left France by boat for the long journey to New York.
Probably because of our spirituality which is definitely colored by trust in God's tender care, they were told by their superiors, "We will get you to New York. From there make your way to Kentucky." Perhaps, they were not aware of the distance or of travel in the States compared to travel in Europe. The bishop of Covington had arranged to accept the sisters and had sisters of St. Francis of the Poor meet them in New York and help them get to Covington, Kentucky--their destination. As they crossed the bridge from Cincinnati, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky on August 23 the angelus was ringing from a church tower in Covington. When they arrived the Sisters of St. Francis of the Poor gave them a home until the bishop arranged for them to purchase what was known as the "Jones Mansion" in Newport, Kentucky.
They arrived there by horse drawn carriage. The house was atop a large hill which the horses refused to climb. One of the sisters got out and blessed the ground with holy water at which the horses began to gallop up the hill. Thus, began the first convent, Mount Saint Martin, where the sisters lived and flourished.
What a happy feast for all of us Sisters of Divine Providence.
Today is the anniversary of the Sisters of Divine Providence arriving in Kentucky, August 23, 1889 . At the motherhouse in France there had been discernment for some months about who would come. Forty sisters volunteered. Four were chosen, in the end three came. They left France by boat for the long journey to New York.
Probably because of our spirituality which is definitely colored by trust in God's tender care, they were told by their superiors, "We will get you to New York. From there make your way to Kentucky." Perhaps, they were not aware of the distance or of travel in the States compared to travel in Europe. The bishop of Covington had arranged to accept the sisters and had sisters of St. Francis of the Poor meet them in New York and help them get to Covington, Kentucky--their destination. As they crossed the bridge from Cincinnati, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky on August 23 the angelus was ringing from a church tower in Covington. When they arrived the Sisters of St. Francis of the Poor gave them a home until the bishop arranged for them to purchase what was known as the "Jones Mansion" in Newport, Kentucky.
They arrived there by horse drawn carriage. The house was atop a large hill which the horses refused to climb. One of the sisters got out and blessed the ground with holy water at which the horses began to gallop up the hill. Thus, began the first convent, Mount Saint Martin, where the sisters lived and flourished.
What a happy feast for all of us Sisters of Divine Providence.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The feast of the Assumption of Mary.
What hope for us, for our life with God. This feast reminds me that my body will share the joy of heaven. This morning in his homily our chaplain suggested that we pray the litany of Mary and take a few minutes with each of the lines. Mary, hope of Christians; Ark of the Covenant, Refuge of Sinners, Comforter of the Afflicted. I am trying to think of them and find one that speaks to me today. Maybe, Virgin, Most Faithful. Some days all I can do is try to be faithful. I often want success and forget that only fidelity is within my control and only fidelity is required of me.
I am so far behind in my work and anxious about getting caught up. I must remind myself today that I can only keep trucking with fidelity and let the rest to God.
What hope for us, for our life with God. This feast reminds me that my body will share the joy of heaven. This morning in his homily our chaplain suggested that we pray the litany of Mary and take a few minutes with each of the lines. Mary, hope of Christians; Ark of the Covenant, Refuge of Sinners, Comforter of the Afflicted. I am trying to think of them and find one that speaks to me today. Maybe, Virgin, Most Faithful. Some days all I can do is try to be faithful. I often want success and forget that only fidelity is within my control and only fidelity is required of me.
I am so far behind in my work and anxious about getting caught up. I must remind myself today that I can only keep trucking with fidelity and let the rest to God.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Jet Lag
I just returned from about a month in France where I was a delegate to our general chapter. We elected a new superior general and also discussed the future orientations for the whole congregation. It was a challenging time because of some struggles with language and culture. There were sisters from France, Madagascar and the U.S. as well as sisters who have been missionaries for many years in Ecuador and Mali. There were also sisters from Poland.
Mostly I was amazed at the way in which our spirit of abandoning ourselves to God's Providence is so alive in so many places. There is a definite movement among us back to the zeal of our beginnings and a great desire to be among the most excluded of God's people.
What an uplift.
I just returned from about a month in France where I was a delegate to our general chapter. We elected a new superior general and also discussed the future orientations for the whole congregation. It was a challenging time because of some struggles with language and culture. There were sisters from France, Madagascar and the U.S. as well as sisters who have been missionaries for many years in Ecuador and Mali. There were also sisters from Poland.
Mostly I was amazed at the way in which our spirit of abandoning ourselves to God's Providence is so alive in so many places. There is a definite movement among us back to the zeal of our beginnings and a great desire to be among the most excluded of God's people.
What an uplift.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
