I awoke early this morning to a song from the Lord. As He gently work me with "good morning beautiful", I could already feel my countenance changing to a more peaceful state. Hopping into the shower and calmly readying myself for the day, the brisk walk which lay before me seemed inviting and joyful.
The morning air was cool and crisp as I ventured forth from my warm abode, but nothing could stop me. I need to be where I felt a sense of belonging and I knew exactly where I could find that. The mile-long walk was shortened by my dear housemate who was headed out as well and took my half-way. how glorious it is to live in a house of such love!
When I arrived at the Monastery of the visitation, the doors were locked! I was a bit early and prayed that there would be Mass and I would not have walked out in vain. I began to pray my morning office seated on a cement parking block when the lock clicked and the door opened to reveal one of the dear sisters. She was so surprised to see a young girl sitting outside the chapel door that she gasped and ducked back inside. collecting herself, she once more opened the door and ushered me into the warmth and introduced herself as Sr. Catherine Theresa. I came into the simple little chapel, already feeling at home and being filled with peace from the prayers ushered up to the Lord from within each day. In the dark, looking up at the single light (the sanctuary lamp) I was calm and joyful once again.
Morning Office began from the other side of the church and I listened keenly to the gently flowing prayers floating up to the Lord using those ancient tones. Flowing directly into Mass, the prayers continued and I once more was absorbed into that great sacrifice. Blessed be God for giving me exactly what I need. A little taste of relief in the midst of an ocean of change.
February 28, 2009
February 27, 2009
February 26, 2009
God's Divine Providence
Speaking with one of the residents here in Philly, she told me this story of how the Lord has truly been there to guide her life:
You know how I ended up here? Well, I still can't believe it! I remember when I was still very young, living in Altoona. Father worked on the railroad and we lived nearby so we used to have the Little Sisters of the Poor come and stay in our home while they were out. Mother was always good to them and gave them something good and warm to eat. A bowl of soup, some hot tea... I was about 4 years old at the time.
Then we moved up the mountain and, well I don;t remember saying this, but my sister told me the story. We were talking on the phone and she was living in another home like this and I was here and she said do you remember what you said about the little sisters? I replied that I didn't and she said that one day when my mother was quite distraught she was crying over what would happen to all of us if something were to happen to her! She was so upset and my sister said that I responded quickly not to worry about me. When asked why, I had replied that the Little Sisters of the Poor will find me! And so here I am! I didn't know what I was saying, but when I could no longer take care of myself, here I am at the Little Sisters of the Poor! And I never really saw them between the time I was 4 and they came to my house and when I came to live here, but the Lord sure does have a plan, doesn't He?
You know how I ended up here? Well, I still can't believe it! I remember when I was still very young, living in Altoona. Father worked on the railroad and we lived nearby so we used to have the Little Sisters of the Poor come and stay in our home while they were out. Mother was always good to them and gave them something good and warm to eat. A bowl of soup, some hot tea... I was about 4 years old at the time.
Then we moved up the mountain and, well I don;t remember saying this, but my sister told me the story. We were talking on the phone and she was living in another home like this and I was here and she said do you remember what you said about the little sisters? I replied that I didn't and she said that one day when my mother was quite distraught she was crying over what would happen to all of us if something were to happen to her! She was so upset and my sister said that I responded quickly not to worry about me. When asked why, I had replied that the Little Sisters of the Poor will find me! And so here I am! I didn't know what I was saying, but when I could no longer take care of myself, here I am at the Little Sisters of the Poor! And I never really saw them between the time I was 4 and they came to my house and when I came to live here, but the Lord sure does have a plan, doesn't He?
February 24, 2009
Mardi Gras with the LSPs
Today we had a big Mardi Gras party at the Little Sisters home in philly! There were floats, cakes, candy, a big, fancy dinner, dancing, and all sorts of extravaganzas! The residents were dancing and parading and eating.
One story I thought I would share. One woman was quite distraught as she feared not getting home and began to get quite emotional. As I tried to calm her with reason, I realized that logic is not what helps anyone when they are emotionally distraught... well not usually. It is LOVE! And so, I took her wheelchair with me as we moved to a more open area of the room and we began to dance. With the music playing in the background, we moved across the floor and her common remarks began, "oh stop this!" "You are too much!" "Oh now, you are just going to get tired." This woman will protest with the best of them, but if you continue to love and engage her, a smile will peek through her guarded exterior. This little smile began, "I see a smile" I comment and immediately there is a reply, "Oh no you don't!" "Oh yes I do!" "Oh, alright"
How often we do the same, it is easy to be where we are and stay there. Easy to simply say, I am not happy and I am going to stay that way. When the Lord or a friend comes to dance or to sheer us up, we can remain in our shell and try to hide from the joy they are bringing to us until it is just beyond us! We can no longer hide and actually have so much that, as my dear little dance partner exclaimed at the end of the dance, "hey, why don't you get her [another resident] to dance!", desirous of spreading our new-found joy to others so that they too are able to escape their shells.
One story I thought I would share. One woman was quite distraught as she feared not getting home and began to get quite emotional. As I tried to calm her with reason, I realized that logic is not what helps anyone when they are emotionally distraught... well not usually. It is LOVE! And so, I took her wheelchair with me as we moved to a more open area of the room and we began to dance. With the music playing in the background, we moved across the floor and her common remarks began, "oh stop this!" "You are too much!" "Oh now, you are just going to get tired." This woman will protest with the best of them, but if you continue to love and engage her, a smile will peek through her guarded exterior. This little smile began, "I see a smile" I comment and immediately there is a reply, "Oh no you don't!" "Oh yes I do!" "Oh, alright"
How often we do the same, it is easy to be where we are and stay there. Easy to simply say, I am not happy and I am going to stay that way. When the Lord or a friend comes to dance or to sheer us up, we can remain in our shell and try to hide from the joy they are bringing to us until it is just beyond us! We can no longer hide and actually have so much that, as my dear little dance partner exclaimed at the end of the dance, "hey, why don't you get her [another resident] to dance!", desirous of spreading our new-found joy to others so that they too are able to escape their shells.
February 07, 2009
Post Retreat Life
I recently finished reading a wonderful book, The diary of a Country Priest, which is the beautiful story of how closely connected our dear priests are to their parishes.
I promised to share a bit of my retreat with you all and so I shall try my best to share, but I must at the same time beg your forgiveness as I lack the ability to really express what the retreat was for me. It began with a touch of socialization and a hearty meal, and ended with a social brunch. Sandwiched between these social bonanzas of fun was a time of silence, which is where I thrive and flourish. Being used to Saturdays in my room spent dashing between the kitchen and the chapel, it almost seemed to be noisier in the silence of a retreat with talks and rosaries and confession then a normal Saturday for my interior is continually striving for silence. But to be silent in communion is the key. The beauty of eating with others, nourishing your bodies in communion while also nurturing that silence necessary to our soul is what I desire. this was what the retreat said to me... eat in silent communion.
Due to the almost everyday silence of my being, that which most touched me during the retreat were the brief social interludes. Especially a very fun game entitles, "Who Stole the Cookie" or "Who, What, Where". This hilarious mix of charades, clue, and telephone involves creating a who, a what, and a where. 4 people are sent out of the room for the decision and one is invited back to begin the game. she is told the three items and a second person is called back. Person 1 acts out the who, what, and where for her teammate who is not told if she is guessing rightly or not and must then act these items out for the third... the third acts them for the fourth, and the fourth guesses! how wonderful it was to play this game... so wonderful in fact that we played it in the train station on the way home....yes a bunch of young women fresh off retreat acting out silly clues in the middle of the train station. Now that is what I call being free!
God bless!
I promised to share a bit of my retreat with you all and so I shall try my best to share, but I must at the same time beg your forgiveness as I lack the ability to really express what the retreat was for me. It began with a touch of socialization and a hearty meal, and ended with a social brunch. Sandwiched between these social bonanzas of fun was a time of silence, which is where I thrive and flourish. Being used to Saturdays in my room spent dashing between the kitchen and the chapel, it almost seemed to be noisier in the silence of a retreat with talks and rosaries and confession then a normal Saturday for my interior is continually striving for silence. But to be silent in communion is the key. The beauty of eating with others, nourishing your bodies in communion while also nurturing that silence necessary to our soul is what I desire. this was what the retreat said to me... eat in silent communion.
Due to the almost everyday silence of my being, that which most touched me during the retreat were the brief social interludes. Especially a very fun game entitles, "Who Stole the Cookie" or "Who, What, Where". This hilarious mix of charades, clue, and telephone involves creating a who, a what, and a where. 4 people are sent out of the room for the decision and one is invited back to begin the game. she is told the three items and a second person is called back. Person 1 acts out the who, what, and where for her teammate who is not told if she is guessing rightly or not and must then act these items out for the third... the third acts them for the fourth, and the fourth guesses! how wonderful it was to play this game... so wonderful in fact that we played it in the train station on the way home....yes a bunch of young women fresh off retreat acting out silly clues in the middle of the train station. Now that is what I call being free!
God bless!
February 02, 2009
Perfect Love Casts Out all Fear
I just returned from a very fun weekend with the Sisters of Life at Villa Maria Guadalupe. More to come later, but thought you would enjoy a few pictures...
Sr. Mary Gabriel and I
Some of the Ladies as we were preparing to leave the retreat.
I was so caught up in the retreat that I forgot about picture-taking for most of the time... :)
Sr. Mary Gabriel and I
Some of the Ladies as we were preparing to leave the retreat.
I was so caught up in the retreat that I forgot about picture-taking for most of the time... :)
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