Sacred Heart
Blessed assurance
The "universal prayer" of the Catholic Church, the Liturgy of the Hours has been a meaningful source of community for me on my journey as a religious sister. Joining in prayer with the Christian community at consistent periods of the day unites me with others across the world whose prayer "rises up like incense before the Lord" (Psalm 121: 2). Knowing that others across the world are joining in this same prayer is a powerful gift, a true source of strength for enacting the "work of God" in mission. As the light of this new day refracts through the clouds to [...]
An Autumnal Walk in Audubon Park
As a child, many of us undoubtedly read a magazine called “Highlights.” If so, you will remember a featured page in each issue where one searched for “hidden pictures.” This was my “go-to” page in every issue of Highlights, living up to its motto of “fun with a purpose.” Fascinated with the necessity of looking with focused attentiveness, with searching shapes and contours, and with discovering intricate details, that “search and find” puzzle both absorbed and distracted my attention during most visits to the pediatrician’s office. While walking this morning, my gaze fell upon an autumnal leaf suspended in [...]
Travelers on the Lenten Journey
With many of you, I suspect, I enjoy being a traveler. Representationally through books, movies, or dreams or literally on the wings of Southwest or Delta, traveling exposes us to new cultures, climates, and characters. Journeys wake up the curious inner wanderer to challenge one’s complacency, moving one from the routine rituals of daily life to something new and unexpected. As a contradiction, while exciting and stimulating, all of us who venture forth to explore unknown places know that traveling can be simply exhausting, making the return home usually favorably embraced. Welcomed or not, the persistent and insistent pandemic has [...]
Riding on the Wave
In the heart of Jesus, we are all one: our bonds grow stronger. In the heart of Jesus, we are united through our collaboration with one another. In the heart of Jesus, we are welcomed, included, accepted, and loved. Our theme for the school year is, thus, an aspirational one; one that expresses our yearning for oneness in a blessed and broken world
Following her heart’s desire
With each passing year, I recall distinct moments in the colorful life of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ that have meant something to me: the time she pulled the unwilling cow to cross the Mississippi River in the freezing weather; the times she did the essential, but small, hidden things of daily life in the community like mending clothes for children in the boarding school and polishing the furniture; and the many times she prayed all through the night. With the annual celebration of her feast day each year, I appropriate her story in new ways, and, in that way, [...]
