We join with the universal Church this morning as we hear the news of Pope Benedict’s resignation as Holy Father in praying for him and for all Catholics throughout the world.

I’m reminded of the times I’ve been privileged to visit the Vatican and the overwhelming gratitude I felt for the universal bond of faith so tangible there.  Our Church is bigger than nationalities, ideologies and manners of approaching the events of daily life.  We are one, holy, Catholic and apostolic. We are united in our common mission – the mission of Jesus. We are committed to making God’s love tangible and real for all those we meet.

Please join me in praying in gratitude for Pope Benedict’s service to our Church and for wisdom for those who will elect our next Holy Father.

Sr. Bernie volunteers for Double ARC.

Ever since Charles Darwin gave us the phrase “survival of the fittest,” we’ve believed that the best, the strongest, the fastest will endure. But is that true?

Darwin used the phrase “survival of the fittest” only once in a book that spoke of love 95 times and moral sensitivity 92 times. Darwin believed the prime mover of human evolution is not natural selection nor survival of the fittest, but rather our capacity for love and caring for one another. If today everyone would start believing that our future depends on love and caring, how different our lives would be.

As we go about our day making little choices, let’s be mindful that our future depends upon love and caring.

Today’s reading from Mark’s Gospel relates the story of Jesus calling the evil spirit out of a man in the Gerasene territory.  I think most of us think of this story as the one in which the pigs were drowned in the lake!  Hopefully, we don’t miss the bigger message.

The man in the Gospel is just one example of someone held captive, in this case by a “legion” of evil spirits.  I couldn’t help but think of the many others in our world who are held captive.  Especially forefront in my mind today is the little five year old boy being held hostage in Alabama and the many individuals who were likely victims of trafficking during the Super Bowl festivities this past weekend. There are also those held captive by addictions of various sorts.

At another point in the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that he was sent “to proclaim liberty to captives.”  As one of his followers, I can do no less.  It may mean actively working for legislation against human trafficking or praying for all victims or freeing someone from my judgments and biases against them.

Who is the captive I will free today?

Today, Sister Jennifer Marie begins her intense preparation for perpetual vows in July, 2013.  As a province, we are so excited to share this time of renewal with Sister!

During these next months, Sister Jennifer will be deepening her understanding of the Constitutions of our community as well as other congregational writings, but her primary focus will be to fall more deeply in love with Jesus.  What a wonderful time to consider yet again what a tremendous blessing a call to the religious life can be.

Please keep Sister Jennifer in your prayers as she moves through these months to the day of her perpetual profession on July 14!

Sr. Mary Bernarda

Are you making plans for the Super Bowl weekend? Although I can be quite excited about high school sports, I’ve never been able to muster interest in professional sports except from a psychological point of view.

I’ve learned that how we play on the field or court is probably how we play out our lives. A study of the personality profiles of 15,000 athletes showed a low interest in receiving support and concern from others, a low need to take care of others.

It may do me well to reflect today on how I play a game, how I have fun. When do I have more fun:  when I compete to win or when I cooperate to make sure we all have fun? When am I at my best: when I develop my skills or help others develop theirs?  Do I want victory for me, or do my relationships grow because I want what’s best for another?

Today as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, I’m reminded of the many people in our country and world who work and pray to withhold the value of life.

Three of our Sisters (Sister Mary Jo Szpila, Sister Linda Maria Pelagio and Sister Jan Marie Lonsway) minister at Path to Life Hope Home here in Toledo.  Their mission is clear:

Path to Life is an interfaith, life-affirming non-profit organization.

Believing in the sanctity and dignity of each human life, from conception to natural death, our mission is to provide alternatives that protect the inherent right to life of the unborn and empower single pregnant women who lack the resources and support to cope with their unexpected pregnancies.It is our goal to provide a safe and nurturing environment that is non-judgmental and emotionally and spiritually supportive for pregnant women in need.

Our maternity housing is a great option for expectant mothers ages 18 and over who wish to make a decision regarding their future as well as the future of their unborn child, without the pressure that can come from friends and family who may not be supportive.

I am so proud of our Sisters and the many volunteers and donors who support this much needed ministry.  Their efforts help to make it possible for women to choose to support life rather than end it.

Check out their new electronic newsletter at http:www.path2life.org/newsletter  to read more about this ministry. 

Dear Fellow Heirs of the Kingdom,

This morning Andy was beaming with expectation about the trip to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life.  While working in the pro-life movement is something he’s involved in, it’s much deeper. You can sense his passion. He’s fully engaged in whatever he can do to be a voice for the unborn.

There’s a difference between involvement and engagement.  Certainly we want more persons to be involved in pro-life activities, but the most effective people are those who are fully engaged.

Engagement is what I FEEL. It’s a strong emotional connection. It’s the feeling I get when I’m doing what I do best, using my greatest talents and passions. Even if it’s work or service, it seems a whole lot more like joy–like the huge smile on Andy’s face.

Gallup research has shown that those who are permitted to do what they do BEST are nearly three times more likely to be engaged. Not any job will do. While involvement may lead to burnout, engagement makes me stronger, more energized, and all the more engaged. Don’t let a week go by without being fully engaged in something you’re passionate about.

 What are your talents and strengths?

What do you love to do?

If time and money were no object, what would you do for God?

What will you do this week that solicits your full engagement?

As we begin “Ordinary Time” in the Church year today, I’m reminded of a question one of the sixth grade students at Maumee, St. Joseph asked last week of four of us on a vocation panel: “Have you ever experienced any miracles?”  Each of us responded by talking about the miracle of each day of our lives – the care of our loving God, the amazing relationships we’ve witnessed in others, and most especially the Eucharist.

There are so many miracles surrounding us if we only open our eyes and hearts and take them in.  Considering the awesome and unbelievable love our God has  for us, I’m not sure it’s possible to actually have an “ordinary” day!  Our faith draws us into a world filled with daily miracles.

What miracle have you experienced in the last 24 hours?

Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of our foundress, Sister Maria Aloysia, and today we celebrate the birthday of our co-foundress, Sister Maria Ignatia.  These two women are amazing examples of all that God can do in and through the lives of people who live with an open heart.  Responding to the needs of poor and neglected children and infirm elderly in the 1850’s, they planted the seeds of a congregation that has grown to nearly 2300 Sisters in countries around the world. Little did Sister Maria Aloysia know when she shared a sandwich with a hungry student that God would use her to proclaim His goodness and loving care to the world!

I’m so grateful and proud to be part of this wonderful community!  If you or someone you know is experiencing God tugging at your heart, don’t hesitate to contact us. I can guarantee you that if this is where God is calling you, we have a place for you in this adventure of making the world a better place. Learn more about our international congregation at www.snd1.org and our Toledo province at www.toledosnd.org  .

…And join us in celebrating life today!