Posts by Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider

When you woke up this morning, did you think, “Today might be the end of the world”? Probably not. So it’s a good thing we have Advent. Advent looks to the First Coming of the Son of God and prepares us for Christmas. Advent also helps us to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at…

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is special to me and all the other Sisters of Notre Dame. For me, my home parish in Bellevue, Ohio, was titled Immaculate Conception. For all us Sisters, it is the patronal feast of our province, which is the whole United States. Recently I…

Before Jesus tells the parable of the lone sheep that strayed from the herd of one hundred, he asks “What is your opinion?” A question like that would make the listeners very attentive. There will be a quiz! Maybe we should make Bible bookmarks with the question “What is your opinion?” I’m sure Jesus will…

In Advent we remember the Old Testament stories leading up to the coming of the Messiah. That’s memory. We also look to the endtimes, or Parousia, when all will be united in Christ. That’s majesty. We become more aware of how Christ comes in every moment of our lives. That’s mystery. Memory, majesty, mystery: m-m-m-…

Do you try to give up the four S’s? Sweets, salt, starches, second helpings. Perhaps you’ve tried watching your weight, but have you ever waited in watch? Watching weight aids our physical well-being. Waiting in watch enhances our spiritual well-being. The short, joyous, penitential season of Advent focuses on the past, present, and future all…

The opening prayer of Advent asks God for “resolve to run forth to meet your Christ.” The First Reading bids “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain.” It sounds as if we’ll need a lot of energy and stamina between now and Christmas. But don’t rest up for the journey. Habitually we’re told to “awake…

In our earthly liturgy (Sunday Mass) we participate in the heavenly liturgy, incipiently sharing in the liturgy and life of the blessed in heaven. How can we experience this wondrous connection? In every Mass we are made one with all the saints and angels, transcending time and space. “No eye has seen,” but our connection…

Jesus Christ is the First and Best Sacrament. From his life, death, and resurrection (Paschal Mystery) comes all grace, our salvation. While Christ established the Kingdom, he let it up to us, the People of God, to dispense this grace. The Church (we) do this in many ways. (Actually we live in grace.) Our seven…

I prefer spontaneity to routine, but both have their merits. While routine allows the chance to focus on the present, spontaneity adds an unexpected energizing spark to the day. Plans may have to be shelved for a while, but returning to those plans after a spontaneous break seems very beneficial. Today I said to the…

November 6 is National Vocations Awareness Day. A vocation is a call from God usually supported by a call from the community to do something special for God and the Church. Generally we speak of three vocations: the married life, the single life, and the life of someone consecrated to God as a priest, sister,…