“Let Me Tell You a Story”
In her book Firstlight Sue Monk Kidd claims “All personal theology should begin with the words: ‘Let me tell you a story.’” Jesus used this technique, his parables explaining deep truths. Lately we Sisters have been communicating via Zoom to prepare for a convocation this summer. Having read assigned articles and preparing responses to discussion […]
“Yanked Out of Normalcy”
Had you asked me a couple days ago what I would be doing today, I would have said “What I do every Sunday. Play piano for two Masses, probably visit in a care facility, read.” Some inches of snow on the roads and the car yanked me from my normal routine. I cleared the car […]
P-F-A- This Lent
Lent is taking a long time to arrive this year. As I write this, we still have almost 20 more days until Ash Wednesday (March 5th), but it’s not too early to consider Lenten practices. You’ve heard it before: Pray, fast, and give alms. Maybe you’re considering “more.” Could I pray more, do more fasting, […]
“Coming to Completion”
Saint Paul really liked the Philippians, always thanking God for them and praying for them with “joy” and being in “partnership in the gospel” (Phil. 1:3). Paul is even confident that God who began a good work in them “will go on completing it until the Day of Jesus Christ.” Well, if this is true […]
“I Didn’t See the Gift”
Four of us Sisters of Notre Dame participated in a day for students at St. Paul Schools in Norwalk to consider priestly and religious vocations . After a panel presentation, a freshman girl talked to the Sister directing the questions to the panel. Looking as if she had made a discovery of something she should […]
Expect Exact Schedules. After All, It’s the Convent!
Several of us young women (who made every effort to appear grown up and fearless) arrived at the Sisters of Notre Dame Novitiate on February 2, 1968. (Full disclosure, this blogger has been in the Sisters of Notre Dame community for over 50 years.) I was scheduled for a 3:15 appointment. Apparently it was vitally […]
“I’ll Never Wear Shorts Again!”
Fifty-seven years ago today I was in my home of 18 years. It was the last night to sit in the kitchen, which I thought I’d never see again. Even though there were several inches of snow on the ground, I put on shorts. I knew it would be the last time I’d ever wear […]
But It’s Only a Litle Tug
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, they find it attached to the rest of the world.” This is the wisdom of John Muir, naturalist, mountaineer, and Father of America’s National Parks. Cosmologists know some intricacies of the universe, and marvels keep being discovered. The greatest discovery of all is to know that […]
Excavating Your Motive
How often do you ask yourself “Why?” Your first answer may not be as truthful as you think. “Why didn’t I volunteer to bake goodies for the hospitality kitchen?” First reason: I don’t have time. And…anything else? I don’t like going there. Why not? It’s so unpleasant. Why? I don’t know how to talk with […]
Making a Living
“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” These are the wise words of Winston Churchill. Perhaps you’re lying in a hammock while sipping your favorite beverage on a day perfectly choreographed by God. Do you find yourself saying “This is the life!” or “This is really […]