Migrant Ministry
I leave in a couple of hours for our first week of migrant ministry in Leipsic/Miller City, Ohio. Sister Susan Marie and I have ten high school volunteers who will be joining us for this week of service. This program has been in place for years and is a wonderful way for us to help make a difference in the lives of these migrant children and families. Even greater than what we provide for them is what they provide for us! It’s a great joy for us to be able to spend a week learning a bit of the migrant culture and experiencing their simple, strong love for life!
Pray for us this week and check back for pictures early next week!
Holy is God’s Name
Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew takes us back to the basics of prayer as
Jesus teaches His followers the “Our Father.” This is certainly not new to any of us, and yet I find myself wondering how much I really think about the words I pray. The line that jumps out for me today is “May your name be held holy.” What does it look like to hold someone’s name as holy? I picture holding something very precious and sacred, cradling it in the palm of myhand, and guarding it with my life. It certainly has my undivided attention.
I also wonder how Mary must have prayed to the Father, the Father of her Son Jesus, who has given her life and placed the life of Jesus within her? Certainly, she knows a unique intimacy with God. I could envy her relationship with the Father, but then I recall that God has also given me life and I have the privilege of daily receiving the life of Jesus in Eucharist.
Perhaps we relate to God under the title “Father” or perhaps we have another name for God. The important piece is the depth of our relationship of love and that we daily call God by name.
What is your favorite name/title for God?
Immaculate Heart of Mary
If it’s true that the heart holds the essence of a person, then I, for one, certainly want to know the heart of Mary. If anyone is in tune with Jesus, the Father and the Spirit, it’s Mary. As we celebrate today the feast of her Immaculate Heart, let us pray for the grace to be truly generous in offering our hearts to God at all times and in all the events of our lives.
Special prayers today for our Immaculate Heart of Mary Province in Covington, KY!
True SND Hospitality
As I sit at this computer in the Provincial Center of our Chardon, OH province, I can’t help but be thankful for the wonderful hospitality I’m receiving from our Sisters here. Coming from one workshop and now here for another meeting, I feel as though this is a second home. Each Sister is so kind and welcoming and gracious – truly sharing our Notre Dame spirit. I can imagine Mary doing the same as she must have been most gracious in welcoming others into her home at Nazareth. No wonder Jesus’ ministry was marked by such a sincere spirit of hospitality.
How will I help to welcome another and make her/him feel at home today?
All We Need … and More
While reading the first reading for today’s liturgy (2 Peter 1: 2-7), I was struck once again by the generosity and extravagant love of God. Peter begins his letter saying, “May you have more and more grace and peace as you come to know our Lord more and more. By his divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life…”
I find this message particularly encouraging as I embark on a new week. As I look at my calendar and note the various meetings, events and travel, I am reassured that I will have all that I need. Even more reassuring is knowing that I will have all I need for the many encounters I don’t know about yet! It’s almost as though God is saying “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back!”
Mary knew the peace that comes from this promise as well. It was this that enabled her to pray “God has done great things for me. Holy is his name!”
What lies ahead of you this week that God will be taking care of?
